UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 1, 2021

 

EVgo Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-39572   85-2326098
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

11835 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
  90064
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    (877) 494-3833

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class     Trading
Symbol(s)
  Name of each exchange
on which registered
 
Shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value   EVGO   Nasdaq Global Select Market
Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50   EVGOW   Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

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

 

Emerging growth company x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

Due to the large number of events reported under the specified items of Form 8-K, this Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in two parts. An amendment to this Form 8-K is being submitted for filing on the same date to include additional matters under Items 5.03 and 5.05 of Form 8-K.

 

On July 1, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation) (the “Company”), consummated the previously announced transaction (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated January 21, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, EVgo Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), EVgo HoldCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HoldCo”) and EVgo OpCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“OpCo”) and CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HoldCo (“Merger Sub”).

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on July 1, 2021:

 

(i) the Company contributed all of its assets to Merger Sub, including but not limited to (1) funds held in the Trust Account (as defined below), net cash proceeds from the PIPE (as defined below) (the “PIPE Proceeds”), any cash held by the Company in any working capital or similar account (net of transaction expenses); and (2) 195,800,000 newly issued shares (the “Holdings Class B Shares”) of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B common stock” and, together with Class A common stock, “Common Stock”) of the Company (such transaction, the “SPAC Contribution”);

 

(ii) immediately following the SPAC Contribution, Holdings contributed to OpCo all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of HoldCo and, in connection therewith, (1) OpCo as recapitalized as set forth in the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement (as defined below), and (2) OpCo issued to Holdings 195,800,000 units of OpCo (“OpCo Units” and such transactions, the “Holdings Contribution”);

 

(iii) immediately following the Holdings Contribution, Merger Sub transferred to Holdings the Holdings Class B Shares and the right to enter into the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below) (such transactions, the “Merger Sub Transfer”); and

 

(iv) immediately following the Merger Sub Transfer, Merger Sub contributed to OpCo all of its remaining assets in exchange for the issuance by OpCo to Merger Sub of a number of OpCo Units equal to the number of shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding after giving effect to the Business Combination and the PIPE (the “Issued OpCo Units,” such transaction, the “Merger Sub Contribution” and together with the SPAC Contribution, the Holdings Contribution and the Merger Sub Transfer, the “Transactions”).

 

The foregoing description of the Business Combination Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Business Combination Agreement, a copy of which was attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 22, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference. A more detailed description of the Business Combination can be found in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on May 27, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) prepared in connection with the solicitation of the proxies from the Company’s stockholders to approve, among other things, the Business Combination.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the registrant changed its name from Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation to EVgo Inc.

 

Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K discusses the Closing and various other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 1.01 Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Sponsor Agreement

 

Concurrently with the entry into the Business Combination Agreement, the Company, Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), the other initial stockholders and OC III LVS IX LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“OC LP”) and TOCU XXXVII LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with OC LP, the “Co-Investors”) entered into the Sponsor Agreement with the Company, pursuant to which the Sponsor, the other initial stockholders and the Co-Investors agreed, among other things, to vote all of their shares of Common Stock held or subsequently acquired by them in favor of the approval of the Business Combination.

 

In addition, the Sponsor Agreement contains provisions that (a) subject 4,312,500 founder shares to a lock-up following the Closing until the earlier of (i) 12 months following the Closing, (ii) the date on which the volume weighted average price per share of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days commencing at least 150 days following the Closing or (iii) certain change of control transactions, and (b) subject 1,437,500 founder shares held by the initial stockholders to potential forfeiture as follows (i) 718,750 shares will be forfeited if shares of Class A common stock does not trade at a volume weighted average price per share equal to or greater than $12.50 for 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days within the five years following the Closing and (ii) 718,750 shares will be forfeited if shares of Class A common stock does not trade at a volume weighted average price per share equal to or greater than $15.00 for 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days within the five years following the Closing. Any founder shares still subject to possible forfeiture will continue to be subject to the trading restrictions applicable to founder shares in the letter agreement signed by the Company in connection with its IPO.

 

The foregoing description of the Sponsor Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sponsor Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with the Closing, the Company, the Sponsor and the other initial stockholders terminated the existing registration rights agreement and entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with EVgo Holdings, LLC (together with the Sponsor, the other initial stockholders and any person or entity who becomes a party to the Registration Rights Agreement, the “Holders”) that grant certain resale registration rights with respect to (a)  the private placement warrants (including any shares of Class A common stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any private placement warrants), (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any founder shares, (c) any outstanding shares of Class A common stock held by a Holder as of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement, (d) any shares of Class A common stock issued or issuable upon exchange of OpCo Units and shares of Class B common stock held by a Holder as of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement, and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such shares of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will file with the SEC within 15 business days after the Closing a registration statement registering the resale of the Registrable Securities permitted to be registered for resale from time to time pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Act. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective and remain effective, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement. Additionally, the Company agreed that, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is eligible to register the Holders’ securities on a registration statement on Form S-3, the Company will file a new registration statement with the SEC (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such new registration statement to become effective and remain effective, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides the Holders with certain customary demand and piggyback registration rights.

 

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The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

OpCo A&R LLC Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, the Company, OpCo, Merger Sub and Holdings entered into the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of OpCo (the “OpCo A&R LLC Agreement”). The OpCo A&R LLC Agreement provides that each OpCo Unit (other than the OpCo Units held by the Company, Merger Sub or any of their subsidiaries (other than OpCp and its subsidiaries) (collectively, the “Company Group”)), together with one share of Class B common stock, will be redeemable, subject to certain conditions, for, at OpCo’s election, either one share of Class A common stock or an approximate equivalent amount of cash, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement. On the Closing Date, the Company, through Merger Sub, will control OpCo as the sole managing member of OpCo in accordance with the terms of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement. The material terms of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements” beginning on page 106 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing description of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Tax Receivable Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, the Company and Merger Sub entered into a tax receivable agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) with Holdings and LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LSP Advisors”), as agent. The Tax Receivable Agreement generally will provide for the payment by the Company Group to certain holders of OpCo Units of 85% of the net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax and franchise tax that the Company Group actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) in periods after the Business Combination as a result of (i) certain increases in tax basis that occur as a result of the Company Group’s acquisition (or deemed acquisition for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of all or a portion of OpCo Units pursuant to the Business Combination or the exercise of the redemption or call rights set forth in the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement and (ii) imputed interest deemed to be paid by the Company as a result of, and additional tax basis arising from, any payments the Company makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The Company Group will retain the benefit of any remaining net cash savings.

 

The Tax Receivable Agreement will generally provide for payments to be made as the Company Group realizes actual cash tax savings in periods after the Business Combination from the tax benefits covered by the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, the Tax Receivable Agreement will provide that if the Company Group elects to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early (or it is terminated early due to the Company Group’s failure to honor a material obligation thereunder or due to certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control), the Company Group will be required to make an immediate payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future payments to be made by it under the Tax Receivable Agreement (based upon certain assumptions and deemed events set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement).

 

The foregoing description of the Tax Receivable Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Tax Receivable Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Nomination Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, the Company, Holdings and each other principal stockholder named therein (collectively, the “Principal Stockholders”) entered into a nomination agreement (the “Nomination Agreement”). The Nomination Agreement provides that upon the Closing, the board of directors of the Company will consist of nine directors, divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms.

 

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The Nomination Agreement provides that: (i) for so long as the Principal Stockholders beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock representing at least 50% of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the Principal Stockholders on the Closing Date (the “Initial Share Ownership”), the Principal Stockholders will have the right to nominate five (5) directors to the board of directors of the Company; (ii) for so long as the Principal Stockholders beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 50% of the Initial Share Ownership but at least 40% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Principal Stockholders will have the right to nominate four (4) directors to the board of directors of the Company; (iii) for so long as the Principal Stockholders beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 40% of the Initial Share Ownership but at least 30% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Principal Stockholders will have the right to nominate three (3) directors to the board of directors of the Company; for so long as the Principal Stockholders beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 30% of the Initial Share Ownership but at least 15% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Principal Stockholders will have the right to nominate two (2) directors to the board of directors of the Company; and (iv) for so long as the Principal Stockholders beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 15% of the Initial Share Ownership but at least 2.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Principal Stockholders will have the right to nominate one (1) director to the board of directors of the Company. At any time any of the foregoing provisions described in this paragraph are in effect, the Principal Stockholders may require that the chairperson of the board of directors be one of the Principal Stockholders’ nominees.

 

The Nomination Agreement also provides that each Principal Stockholder will not transfer (as defined in the Nomination Agreement) any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of any OpCo Units held by such Principal Stockholder (the “Lock-Up Shares”) until the earlier of (i) 180 days after the Closing, and (ii) subsequent to the Closing, the date the VWAP (as defined in the Nomination Agreement) of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for any 20 Trading Days (as defined in the Nomination Agreement) within any 30-Trading Day period or (y) the date following the Closing on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction with a third party that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property.

 

The foregoing description of the Nomination Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Nomination Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

PIPE Financing

 

In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on January 21, 2021, the Company entered into separate subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with a number of investors (the “PIPE Investors”), pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell to the PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (the “PIPE Shares”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $400.0 million, in a private placement (the “PIPE”).

 

The closing of the sale of the PIPE Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements is contingent upon, among other customary closing conditions, the concurrent consummation of the Business Combination. The purpose of the PIPE is to raise additional capital for use by the combined company following the Closing.

 

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, the Company agreed that, within 30 calendar days after the Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), the Company will file with the SEC (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the PIPE Shares (the “PIPE Resale Registration Statement”), and the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the PIPE Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 90th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Company that it will “review” the PIPE Resale Registration Statement) following the Filing Deadline and (ii) the 5th business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the PIPE Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review.

 

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The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Subscription Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

In connection with the Closing, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements provide the directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification and advancement for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

 

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01. The material terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—The Business Combination Agreement” beginning on page 93 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination were approved by the Company’s stockholders at a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders held on June 29, 2021 (the “Special Meeting”). On July 1, 2021, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement consummated the Transactions.

 

At the Special Meeting, holders of 13,230 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock sold in its initial public offering exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of approximately $10.00 per share, for an aggregate of approximately $132,300. The per share redemption price of $10.00 for public stockholders electing redemption was paid out of the Company’s Trust Account, which after taking into account the redemption, had a balance immediately prior to the Closing of approximately $230.0 million.

 

Immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination (including as a result of the redemptions described above, the conversion of all 5,750,000 outstanding founder shares into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis and the issuance of an additional 40,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in the PIPE as described in Item 3.02 below), there were 264,536,770 shares of Common Stock, including 68,736,770 shares of Class A common stock and 195,800,000 shares of Class B common stock, issued and outstanding and warrants, to purchase 18,099,988 shares of Class A common stock of the Company’s issued and outstanding. Upon the Closing, the Company’s Class A common stock and public warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “EVGO” and “EVGOW,” respectively, and the Company’s public units automatically separated into their component securities and, as a result, no longer trade as a separate security and were delisted from the NYSE.

 

FORM 10 INFORMATION

 

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as the Company was immediately before the transaction, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if it was to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company after the consummation of the Transactions, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this current report to Form 8-K to the “Company,” “EVgo,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to EVgo Inc. (f/k/a Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation) and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “CRIS” refer to our predecessor company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this Current Report may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. future financial performance, as well as the Company’s strategy, future operations, future operating results, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

· the ability to maintain the listing of our Class A common stock and public warrants on Nasdaq following the Business Combination;

 

· the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the combined business to grow and manage growth profitably;

 

· the effect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the climate sector, the economy and our business;

 

· our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination;

 

· changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged;

 

· the risks associated with cyclical demand for the Company’s services and vulnerability to industry downturns and regional or national downturns;

 

· fluctuations in our revenue and operating results;

 

· our ability to generate cash, service indebtedness and incur additional indebtedness;

 

· our ability to integrate any businesses it acquires;

 

· risks related to legal proceedings or claims, including liability claims;

 

· our ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms;

 

· general economic or political conditions; and

 

· other factors detailed set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

Business

 

The business of the Company is described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About EVgo” beginning on page 169 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Properties

 

The Company’s primary office is located at 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 900E, Los Angeles, California 90064. The Company also maintains a testing facility at 138 Sheldon Street, El Segundo, California 90245.

 

Risk Factors

 

The risks associated with the Company’s business and operations and the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 of the Proxy Statement, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Information

 

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information

 

The selected historical consolidated financial and operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the selected consolidated balance sheet information as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020 and 2019 for HoldCo are included in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Selected Historical Financial Information of EVgo” beginning on page 24 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 of HoldCo set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and pursuant to the regulations of the SEC. The unaudited financial information reflects, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of HoldCo’ financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The results reported for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical audited consolidated financial statements of HoldCo as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes included in the Proxy Statement and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein.

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operation of EVgo prior to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement in the sections titled “EVgo Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 180 of the Proxy Statement and “CRIS Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 165 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk of the Company are included in the Proxy Statement in the sections titled “EVgo Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 180 of the Proxy Statement and CRIS Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operationsbeginning on page 165 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Beneficial Ownership of Securities

 

The following table sets forth information known to the Company regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock immediately following the Closing, by:

 

· each person who is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;

 

· each named executive officer and director of the Company; and

 

· all current executive officers and directors of the Company, as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership for the purposes of the following table is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. A person is a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or “investment power”, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security or has the right to acquire such powers within 60 days. The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on 264,536,770 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately following the Closing.

 

    Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned  
    Class A Common Stock     Class B Common Stock     Combined Voting Power  
    Number     %     Number     %     Number     %  
5% Stockholders:                                                
EVgo Holdings, LLC(1)                 195,800,000       100.0 %     195,800,000       74.0 %
PIMCO private funds(2)     9,796,294       14.3 %                 9,796,294       3.7 %
Directors and Named Executive Officers:                                                
Cathy Zoi                                    
Ivo Steklac                                    
Olga Shevorenkova                                    
David Nanus(1)                 195,800,000       100.0 %     195,800,000       74.0 %
Elizabeth Comstock                                    
Joseph Esteves(1)                 195,800,000       100.0 %     195,800,000       74.0 %
Darpan Kapadia                                    
John King                                    
Kate Brandt                                    
Rodney Slater                                    
Patricia K. Collawn                                    
Directors and Executive Officers as a group (12 persons)                 195,800,000       100.0 %     195,800,000       74.0 %

 

 

(1) EVgo Holdings, LLC is controlled by EVgo Member Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EVgo Member”). The sole member of EVgo Member is LS Power Equity Partners IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LSPEP IV”), which is managed by LSP Advisors (together with EVgo Member and LSPEP IV, the “LS Power Entities”). Joseph Esteves and David Nanus, through their positions, relationship and/or affiliations with LS Power Entities, may have shared voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the LS Power Entities. As such, Messrs. Esteves and Nanus may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of the shares beneficially owned by the LS Power Entities. Messrs. Esteves and Nanus disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares.

(2) Includes (i) 4,898,160 shares of Class A common stock held by OC III LVS IX LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“COF 3”), (ii) 4,898,134 shares of Class A common stock held by TOCU XXXVII LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or its affiliate (“TOCU” and, together with COF 3, the “PIMCO private funds”). Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC, as the investment manager of each of the PIMCO private funds, may be deemed to have or to share voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock beneficially owned by each of the PIMCO private funds. The business address for each of the PIMCO private funds named in this footnote is c/o Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Information with respect to the Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing is described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Management of CRIS Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 201 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Board Composition

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the size of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) was increased from five members to nine members. Effective as of the Closing, Elizabeth Comstock, Cathy Zoi, David Nanus, Joseph Esteves, Darpan Kapadia, John King, Kate Brandt, Rodney Slater and Patricia K. Collawn were appointed to serve as directors of the Company. Ms. Comstock and Messrs. Esteves and King were appointed to serve as Class I directors, each with a term expiring at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in 2022; Ms. Brandt and Messrs. Kapadia and Slater were appointed to serve as Class II directors, each with a term expiring at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in 2023; and Mme. Zoi and Collawn and Mr. Nanus were appointed to serve as Class  III directors, each with a term expiring at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in 2024. Biographical information for these individuals is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Management of CRIS Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 201 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board has determined that Elizabeth Comstock, Rodney Slater and Patricia K. Collawn are independent as defined under the rules of Nasdaq.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Effective upon the Closing, the standing committees of the Board consist of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Upon the Closing, the Board appointed Patricia K. Collawn, Rodney Slater and Elizabeth Comstock to serve on the Audit Committee, with Ms. Collawn as chairperson. The Board appointed Elizabeth Comstock, Rodney Slater, David Nanus and Patricia K. Collawn to serve on the Compensation Committee, with Ms. Comstock as chairperson. The Board appointed Rodney Slater, Elizabeth Comstock, Kate Brandt and Patricia K. Collawn to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Mr. Slater as chairperson.

 

Executive Officers

 

Information with respect to the Company’s executive officers after the Closing are described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Management of CRIS Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 201 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Company has added the below additional executive officer, Francine Sullivan, subsequent to the date of the Proxy Statement.

 

Name   Age     Position(s)
Francine Sullivan     48     Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

 

Francine Sullivan. Francine Sullivan serves as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. Ms. Sullivan leads EVgo’s legal and compliance team. Ms. Sullivan has spent the past 16 years in the clean energy sector. Prior to joining EVgo in May 2021, Ms. Sullivan served as Vice President, Business Development for REC Silicon ASA (“REC”), a publicly listed Norwegian solar and advanced materials company. Based out of the Houston, Texas office, she was focused on developing opportunities and partnerships in the advanced lithium ion battery industry. Ms. Sullivan first joined REC in 2010 when it was the world’s largest integrated solar company and held various executive positions including Chief Legal Officer and US General Counsel. Ms. Sullivan has had an extensive international legal career, advising leading investment banks and private equity firms, serving in the energy and finance groups of some of the world’s leading law firms including Milbank LLP in Los Angeles and New York, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Asia and in Europe and King & Wood Mallesons in Australia. Ms. Sullivan received her Bachelor of Laws (Honors) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Finance) from the University of Melbourne and is licensed to practice law in both California and New York.

 

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Director Compensation

 

No members of EVgo’s board of directors received compensation for their services to EVgo prior to the Closing. In connection with and following the Closing of the Business Combination, we adopted a comprehensive director compensation program in order to attract and retain qualified non-employee directors who are critical to the future success, growth and governance of the Company. The compensation package for our non-employee directors requires a significant portion of the total compensation package to be equity-based to align the interest of our directors with our stockholders. Directors who are also our employees do not receive any additional compensation for their service on our Board. Under the director compensation program, our non-employee directors are entitled to the following compensation:

 

· An annual cash retainer of $45,000 for all non-employee directors and an additional $30,000 annual cash retainer for the Lead Director;

 

· The following additional cash retainers for non-employee directors serving as the chair of a committee: $20,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee, $15,000 for the chair of the Compensation Committee and $10,000 for the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

 

· The following additional cash retainers for non-employee directors serving as a member, but not the chair, of a committee: $10,000 for members of the Audit Committee, $7,500 for members of the Compensation Committee and $7,500 for members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

 

· An annual award of restricted stock units pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan with a value of $100,000, determined based on the volume weighted average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the fifteen consecutive trading days preceding the date of grant, and which shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continued service on the Board through such date;

 

· additional award of restricted stock units pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan for the first year in which a non-employee director joins the Board with a value of $50,000, determined based on the volume weighted average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the fifteen consecutive trading days preceding the date of grant, and which shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director’s continued service on the Board through such date;

 

Directors are not entitled to any fees related to meeting attendance. Each director is entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel and miscellaneous expenses incurred to attend meetings and activities of the Board or any of its committees. Each director is also indemnified by us for actions associated with serving as a director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.

 

Further, to align the interests of our directors with the interests of the Company’s other stockholders, our directors must comply with stock ownership guidelines that we established in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination. Within five years of joining the Board each director is required to obtain, and must continue to hold during his or her tenure on the Board, equity with a value (which may be inclusive of the intrinsic value of equity awards (vested or unvested) granted as part of each director’s regular compensation) equal to at least five times such director’s annual cash retainer fees (based on the most recently completed year).

 

Executive Compensation

 

The executive compensation of the Company’s executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Executive Compensation—EVgo” beginning on page 209 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the compensation-related disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

 

This section should be read in conjunction with the information included in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 217 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings of the Company in the section of the Proxy Statement titled “Information About EVgo—Legal Proceedings” beginning on page 179 of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Prior to the Closing, the Company’s publicly traded Class A common stock, public warrants and units were listed on NYSE under the symbols “CLII,” “CLII WS” and “CLII.U,” respectively. On July 2, 2021, the Class A common stock and public warrants began trading on Nasdaq under the symbols “EVGO” and “EVGOW,” respectively. The Company’s publicly traded units automatically separated into their component securities upon the Closing and, as a result, no longer trade as a separate security and were delisted from NYSE.

 

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on shares of its Class A Common Stock to date. The payment of any cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon the Company’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of the Board.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

The information set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities

 

The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Description of Securities” beginning on page 221 of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Information about indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Management of CRIS Following the Business Combination—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters” beginning on page 208 of the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the section titled “Indemnification Agreements” is incorporated by herein by reference.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

The information set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

The information set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The issuance of Class A common stock upon automatic conversion of Class B common stock at the Closing has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.

 

The securities issued in connection with the Business Combination Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company entered into Subscription Agreements with a number of PIPE Investors, pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell to the PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $400,000,000, in a private placement. CRIS PIPE ONE, LLC purchased 500,000 shares of Class A common stock in the PIPE for a total purchase price of $5,000,000. Ms. Comstock, a member of the Company’s board of directors, is an investor in CRIS PIPE ONE, LLC. In addition, the PIMCO private funds or their affiliates purchased 5,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in the PIPE for a total purchase price of $50,000,000. The PIPE Financing was consummated concurrently with the Closing. The shares of Class A common stock issued in the PIPE Financing have not been registered under the Securities Act, in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

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Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The disclosure set forth under Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

On July 1, 2021, the Audit Committee of the Board approved the engagement of KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. KPMG served as the independent registered public accounting firm of HoldCo prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, was informed that it would be replaced by KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following the completion of Withum’s review of the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which will consist only of the accounts of the pre-Business Combination special purpose acquisition company. This decision was approved by the Board.

 

The report of Withum, independent registered public accounting firm, dated April 30, 2021, on the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2020, and for the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles other than the restatement of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

During the period of Withum’s engagement by the Company, during the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent period through July 1, 2021, there were no disagreements with Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report covering such period. In addition, no “reportable events,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, occurred within the period of Withum’s engagement and the subsequent interim period preceding Withum’s dismissal.

 

During the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period preceding the engagement of KPMG, neither the Company nor anyone on the Company’s behalf consulted with KPMG regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company by KPMG that KPMG concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company provided Withum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures prior to the filing of this Current Report on Form 8-K and requested that Withum furnish a letter addressed to the SEC, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1, stating whether it agrees with such disclosures, and, if not, stating the respects in which is does not agree.

 

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The disclosure set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the sections titled “Directors and Executive Officers,” “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” is incorporated by herein by reference.

 

Incentive Plan

 

As previously disclosed, at the Special Meeting, on June 29, 2021, the stockholders of the Company considered and approved the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan was previously approved, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board on March 26, 2021. The Incentive Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing.

 

A description of the Incentive Plan is included in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Proposal No. 6—The Incentive Plan Proposal” beginning on page 147 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Incentive Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Incentive Plan and the related form of award agreement under the Incentive Plan, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8 and Exhibit 10.9 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Award Agreement

 

On July 1, 2021, the Board approved a form of the award agreement that will govern restricted stock unit awards granted pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.12. The following description of the form of restricted stock unit agreement (the “RSU Agreement”), does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the RSU Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.9.

 

In addition to being subject to all the general terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan, the RSU Agreement provides for service-based vesting conditions over a period to be determined at the time of grant, provided the awardee remains continuously employed with the Company through the vesting dates. Restricted stock units that have not yet vested will be forfeited in the event the awardee’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason. Restricted stock unit awards will be granted with dividend equivalent rights; in the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend with respect to its outstanding shares of common stock during the term of a restricted stock unit’s vesting period, the Company will create a bookkeeping account on behalf of the awardee to track the amount of all dividend equivalent rights that the awardee would have received with respect to the awardee’s restricted stock units as if the awardee had owned the shares of the Company’s common stock outright. At the time a restricted stock unit is settled, any amounts that accumulated with respect to dividend equivalent rights will be paid to the awardee in a lump sum cash payment. If a restricted stock unit award is forfeited to the Company, all dividend equivalent rights associated with that award shall also be forfeited. The RSU Agreement provides for the settlement of restricted stock unit awards in the form of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of vesting, subject to the awardee’s and the Company’s compliance with all applicable securities laws and restrictions.

 

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, which fulfilled the definition of a “Business Combination” as required by the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Closing, the Company ceased to be a shell company upon the Closing. A description of the Business Combination and the terms of the Business Combination Agreement are included in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—The Business Combination Agreement” beginning on page 93 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

 

The audited consolidated financial statements of HoldCo as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-70 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of HoldCo as of March 31, 2021 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-42 are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Pro forma financial information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) List of Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1*   Business Combination Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2021, by and among the Company, CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, EVgo Holdings, LLC, EVgo HoldCo, LLC and EVgo OpCo, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2021).
     
3.1   Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
     
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
     
4.1   Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Registration No. 333-248718), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2020).
     
4.2   Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Registration No. 333-248718), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2020).
     
4.3   Warrant Agreement, dated August 9, 2018, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2020).
     
10.1   Sponsor Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2021, by and among the Company, EVgo HoldCo, LLC, Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC and certain investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit E to the Business Combination Agreement, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2021).
     
10.2   Amendment to Sponsor Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021, by and among the Company, EVgo HoldCo, LLC, Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC and certain investors.
     
10.3   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021 by and among the Company, Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC and certain other parties.
     
10.4   Form of Indemnification Agreement.
     
10.5   Form of Subscription Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2021).
     
10.6   Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EVgo OpCo, LLC, dated as of July 1, 2021, by and among the Company, EVgo OpCo, LLC, CRIS Thunder Merger, LLC and EVgo Holdings, LLC.
     
10.7   Nomination Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021, by and among the Company, EVgo Holdings, LLC and the Principal Stockholders.
     
10.8   Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021, by and among the Company, CRIS Thunder Merger LLC and EVgo Holdings, LLC.

 

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Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.9   EVgo, Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan.
     
10.10   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement adopted pursuant to the EVgo Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan.
     
10.11   Employment Agreement between EVgo Services, LLC and Catherine Zoi, dated as of January 15, 2020.
     
10.12   Employment Agreement between EVgo Services, LLC and Olga Shevorenkova, dated as of January 15, 2020.
     
10.13   Employment Agreement between EVgo Services, LLC and Ivo Steklac, dated as of January 15, 2020.
     
14.1   Code of Conduct, effective July 1, 2021.
     
16.1   Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission from WithumSmith+Brown, PC, dated as of July 8, 2021.
     
21.1   List of Subsidiaries.
     
99.1   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

 

* The schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

EVgo Inc.

 

Date: July 8, 2021 By: /s/ Olga Shevorenkova
    Name: Olga Shevorenkova
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as set forth in Title 8 of the Delaware Code (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

1.       The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 4, 2020 and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 29, 2020, both under the name Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation.

 

2.       This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) has been declared advisable by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation and duly executed and acknowledged by the officers of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 103, 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

 

3.       The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

First: The name of the Corporation is EVgo Inc.

 

Second: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by the Board in the manner provided by applicable law.

 

Third: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL as it currently exists or may hereafter be amended.

 

Fourth: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 1,610,000,000 shares of stock, classified as (i) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 1,200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and (iii) 400,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”).

 

1.                  Provisions Relating to Preferred Stock.

 

(a)               Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have such designations and powers, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series adopted by the Board and included in a certificate or certificates of designation (each, a “Preferred Stock Designation”) as hereafter prescribed.

 

 

 

 

(b)               Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Board to authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each series of Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted by the Board providing for the issuance thereof the designation and the powers, preferences, privileges, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions relating to each series of Preferred Stock, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

(i)              whether or not the class or series is to have voting rights, full, special or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class or series either alone or together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock;

 

(ii)              the number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designations thereof;

 

(iii)             the powers, preferences, privileges and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

 

(iv)             whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable at the option of the Corporation or the holders thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, and, if redeemable, the redemption price or prices (which may be payable in the form of cash, notes, securities or other property), and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;

 

(v)              whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and, if such retirement or sinking fund or funds are to be established, the annual amount thereof, and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

 

(vi)             the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

 

(vii)             the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any class or series thereof shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;

 

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(viii)          whether or not the shares of any class or series, at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, shall be convertible into or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes or series, of stock, securities or other property of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and

 

(ix)             such other powers, privileges, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions with respect to any class or series as the Board may deem advisable.

 

(c)               The shares of each class or series of Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects.

 

2.                  Provisions Relating to Common Stock.

 

(a)               Except as may otherwise be provided in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each share of Common Stock shall have identical rights and privileges in every respect. Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of Preferred Stock and any series thereof. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in a Preferred Stock Designation or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all matters presented to the stockholders, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and the holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote at or receive notice of any meeting of stockholders. Each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation (as in effect at the time in question) and applicable law on all matters put to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. Except as otherwise required in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters (or, if any holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, the holders of Common Stock and the Preferred Stock shall vote together as a single class).

 

(b)               Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding classes or series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

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(c)               Subject to the prior rights and preferences, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock or any class or series thereof, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by them such dividends and distributions (payable in cash, stock or otherwise), if any, as may be declared thereon by the Board at any time and from time to time out of any funds of the Corporation legally available therefor. Dividends and other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class B Common Stock unless (i) the dividend consists of shares of Class B Common Stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable for shares of Class B Common Stock paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock and (ii) a dividend consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock on equivalent terms is simultaneously paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock. If dividends are declared on the Class A Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock that are payable in shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, the dividends payable to the holders of Class A Common Stock shall be paid only in shares of Class A Common Stock (or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock), the dividends payable to the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be paid only in shares of Class B Common Stock (or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Class B Common Stock), and such dividends shall be paid in the same number of shares (or fraction thereof) on a per share basis of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively (or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for the same number of shares (or fraction thereof) on a per share basis of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively).

 

(d)               In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or any series thereof, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by them. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. A dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation, as such terms are used in this paragraph (d), shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or to include any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or other entity or a sale, lease, exchange or conveyance of all or a part of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(e)               Shares of Class B Common Stock shall be redeemable for shares of Class A Common Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of EVgo Opco, LLC dated as of July 1, 2021, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “LLC Agreement”). The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon redemption of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock for Class A Common Stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon any such redemption pursuant to the LLC Agreement; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its or its affiliates’ obligations in respect of any such redemption of shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement by delivering (either directly or indirectly through an affiliate) to the holder of shares of Class B Common Stock upon such redemption, in lieu of newly issued shares of Class A Common Stock, cash in the amount permitted by and provided in the LLC Agreement or shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation. All shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued upon any such redemption shall, upon issuance in accordance with the LLC Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. All shares of Class B Common Stock redeemed shall be cancelled.

 

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(f)                The number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of either Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

 

(g)               No stockholder shall, by reason of the holding of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, have any preemptive or preferential right to acquire or subscribe for any shares or securities of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, which may at any time be issued, sold or offered for sale by the Corporation, unless specifically provided for in a Preferred Stock Designation.

 

Fifth: The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock specified in the related Preferred Stock Designation, shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as is reasonably possible, with the initial term of office of the first class to expire at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Class I Directors”), the initial term of office of the second class to expire at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Class II Directors”), and the initial term of office of the third class to expire at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Class III Directors”), with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or, if earlier, such director’s death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or, if earlier, such director’s death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III at the time this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective, subject to the terms of any nomination agreements between the Corporation and any stockholder that may be in effect from time to time (as amended or supplemented in accordance with their terms, the “Nomination Agreements”). Subject to applicable law, the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock specified in the related Preferred Stock Designation and the Nomination Agreements, any newly created directorship that results from an increase in the number of directors or any vacancy on the Board that results from the death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director or from any other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office for the remaining term of his or her predecessor, unless otherwise determined by the Board. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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Subject to the Nomination Agreements and the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock, if any, to elect additional directors pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation thereunder), any director may be removed only for cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election of directors, acting at a meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the bylaws of the Corporation; provided that for so long as LS Power (as defined below) and any investment funds or entities controlled or advised by LS Power (collectively, the “Sponsor Entities”) collectively own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, any director may be removed with or without cause by the holders of a majority of the outstanding of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election of directors, acting at a meeting of the stockholders or by written consent in accordance with the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, if any, and to the Nomination Agreements, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time in the manner provided in the bylaws of the Corporation. Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation so provide, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of directors.

 

Sixth: Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be taken at a duly held annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by any consent in writing of such stockholders; provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities collectively own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding capital stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand, overnight courier or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

Seventh: Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Board; provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities collectively own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, at the request of the holders of at least 35% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, the Board shall call a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock and the preceding proviso, the stockholders of the Corporation do not have the power to call a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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Eighth: In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation without any action on the part of the stockholders of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any bylaw, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation by the vote of holders of not less than 75% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities collectively own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, any bylaw, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation by vote of holders of not less than 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, including at least 65% of the voting power of the shares of stock then held by the Sponsor Entities. No bylaws hereafter made or adopted, nor any repeal of or amendment thereto, shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that was valid at the time it was taken.

 

Ninth: No director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it now exists. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not personally liable as set forth in the preceding sentence, a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the fullest extent permitted by any amendment to the DGCL hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director.

 

The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he/she, his/her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.

 

Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Ninth shall be prospective only and shall not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

Tenth: The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

1.                  Provisions Relating to Business Combination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any point in time at which any class of the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below) with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

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(a)               prior to such time the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

(b)               upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder (as defined below) owned (as defined below) at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons (as defined below) who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

(c)               at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66⅔% of the then-outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

2.                  Certain Defined Terms.

 

For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term:

 

(a)               Affiliate” of any person shall include any principal, member, director, partner, manager, shareholder, subsidiary, officer, employee or other representative of any person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such person, controls such person or is under common control with such person (with respect to the Sponsor-Affiliates (as defined below), other than the Corporation and any entity controlled by the Corporation) or any person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such person, controls such person or is under common control with such person.

 

(b)               associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

(c)               business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

 

(i)                 any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (A) with the interested stockholder, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 1 of this Article Tenth is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

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(ii)              any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

 

(iii)            any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under sub-clauses (C)-(E) of this clause (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

 

(iv)             any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

 

(v)               any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in clauses (i)-(iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

(d)               control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Section 2, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

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(e)               interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three (3) year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the Affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include or be deemed to include, in any case, (A) LS Power (as defined below), any LS Power Transferee (as defined below) or any of their respective Affiliates or successors, or (B) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article Tenth, any stockholder of the Corporation, with Affiliate(s), associate(s), or other person(s) who may be deemed representatives of it serving as director(s) of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to own or to have acquired any shares of voting stock of the Corporation held by such other persons serving as director(s) of the Corporation to the extent such securities were issued by the Corporation to such director(s) in the ordinary course of business as compensation for their services as director(s) of the Corporation.

 

(f)                LS Power” means, collectively, LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC, LS Power Associates L.P. and their respective Affiliates (other than the Corporation).

 

(g)               LS Power Transferee” means any person that acquires beneficial ownership of outstanding voting stock of the Corporation either (i) directly from LS Power or any of its Affiliates or successors, or (ii) directly from a person described in sub-clause (i) above or from any other LS Power Transferee.

 

(h)               owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or associates:

 

(i)                 beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly;

 

(ii)              has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s Affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more persons; or

 

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(iii)            has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in sub-clause (B) of clause (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

 

(i)          person” means any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

 

(j)          stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

 

(k)          voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

Eleventh: The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation, from time to time, to amend this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision hereof in any manner now or hereafter provided by applicable law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment hereof are subject to such right of the Corporation.

 

Twelfth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by applicable law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities collectively own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, including at least 65% in voting power of the shares of stock of the Corporation then held by the Sponsor Entities, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (a) a separate vote of holders of a majority of Common Stock held by the Sponsor Entities shall be required to amend, alter, repeal or adopt a provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with the following provisions: (i) so long as the Sponsor Entities own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, the proviso in Article Sixth and the proviso in Article Seventh and (ii) so long as the Sponsor Entities own any Common Stock, Article Tenth, Article Fourteenth and this proviso in Article Twelfth, and (b) a separate vote of holders of a majority of Class B Common Stock shall be required to (i) amend, alter, repeal or adopt a provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with Section 2(e) of Article Fourth and (ii) amend, alter or repeal any other provision of Section 2 of Article Fourth that affects the holders of Class B Common Stock in a manner that is different or prejudicial relative to the holders of Class A Common Stock.

 

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Thirteenth: Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Corporation’s bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws of the United States. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article Thirteenth.

 

Fourteenth:  

 

1.                  Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article Fourteenth, the “Sponsor-Affiliates” shall mean LS Power, and each of their respective Affiliates.

 

2.                  Certain Activities. In anticipation of the benefits to be derived by the Corporation through its continued contractual, corporate and business relationships with the Sponsor-Affiliates and in anticipation and recognition that (i) certain directors, principals, officers, employees and/or other representatives of the Sponsor-Affiliates may serve as directors or officers of the Corporation, (ii) the Sponsor-Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article Fourteenth are set forth to define the circumstances in which any duties of the Non-Employee Directors and the Sponsor-Affiliates to the Corporation or its stockholders would not be breached even if certain classes or categories of business opportunities are alleged to have been usurped by one or more of the Sponsor-Affiliates, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates.

 

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3.                  Certain Transactions. None of (i) any Sponsor-Affiliate or (ii) any Non-Employee Director or his or her Affiliates (any such person identified in clause (i) or (ii), an “Identified Person”) shall be in breach of any duty to the Corporation or its stockholders for directly or indirectly (A) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of the Affiliated persons has a reasonable expectancy interest or property right or (B) otherwise competing with the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the Corporation’s insider trading policies, to the extent that any purchase, sale or other transaction by any Identified Person involving any securities or indebtedness of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates (or involving any hedge, swap, derivative or other instrument relating to or in respect of any of the foregoing securities or indebtedness) may be deemed to be a corporate opportunity or to be in competition with the Corporation, the Identified Persons shall be fully protected by the foregoing provisions of this Article Fourteenth in pursuing such purchase, sale or other transaction or in taking any other action in respect of or affecting such securities, indebtedness or other instrument. The Corporation hereby renounces any reasonable expectancy interest or property right in any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for both an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article Fourteenth. In the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, himself or herself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person would not be in breach of any applicable duty to the Corporation or its stockholders for failing to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person can be held personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of engaging in any of activities permitted pursuant to this Section 3 or which are stated in this Section 3 to constitute a breach of its, his or her duties to the Corporation or its stockholders if engaged in by such Identified Person.

 

4.                  Usurping Certain Corporate Opportunities Are Breaches of Duty to the Corporation or its Stockholders. The Corporation does not renounce its expectancy interest or property right in, and the provisions of Section 3 of this Article Fourteenth shall not apply to, any corporate opportunity that is (i) presented to any Non-Employee Director solely in such capacity and with respect to which no Sponsor-Affiliate of such Non-Employee Director independently receives notice or otherwise identifies such corporate opportunity, or (ii) is identified by any Non-Employee Director solely through disclosure by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

5.                  Exclusion. In addition to and without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Article Fourteenth, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if the Corporation is not financially capable or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake it, or such opportunity is, from its nature, not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to it or such opportunity is one in which the Corporation has no reasonable expectancy interest or property right.

 

6.                  Amendment of this Article. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Fourteenth shall be prospective only and shall not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of such amendment, repeal or modification.

 

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Fifteenth: If any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes or is declared on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and the court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with a valid and enforceable provision that most accurately reflects the Corporation’s intent, in order to achieve, to the maximum extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of this 1st day of July, 2021.

 

  CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I ACQUISITION CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ Cathy Zoi
  Name: Cathy Zoi
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

EVGO INC.

 

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware

 

 

 

Article I
OFFICES AND RECORDS

 

Section 1.1.          Registered Office. The registered office and agent of EVgo Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be fixed in the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as it may be amended from time to time, including any preferred stock designation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in the manner provided by applicable law.

 

Section 1.2.          Other Offices. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

 

Section 1.3.          Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Article II
STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 2.1.          Annual Meeting. If required by applicable law, an annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board. Any proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.

 

Section 2.2.          Special Meeting. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board; provided that for so long as LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC (“LS Advisors”), LS Power Associates L.P. (“LS Power”) and any investment funds or entities controlled or advised by LS Advisors or LS Power (collectively, the “Sponsor Entities”) collectively own at least 30% of the outstanding Common Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), at the request of the holders of at least 35% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, the Board shall call a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock and the preceding proviso, the stockholders of the Corporation do not have the power to call a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled by the Board; provided that the Board may not take any such action with respect to any special meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled by the Board at the request of the holders of at least 35% of the then-outstanding Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.2 without the prior written consent of such holders.

 

 

 

Section 2.3.          Record Date.

 

(a)               In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board 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, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by applicable law, not be greater than 60 nor fewer than ten days before the date of such meeting. If the Board 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 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, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or 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 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 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 may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be greater than 60 days prior to such 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 adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

(c)               Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board 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, and which record date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board, (i) when no prior action of the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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Section 2.4.          Stockholder List. The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is fewer than ten 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), arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either on a reasonably accessible electronic network (provided that the information required to gain access to the list is provided with the notice of the meeting) or during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the stockholder list shall also 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 applicable law, the stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders.

 

Section 2.5.          Place of Meeting. The Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be, may designate the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive offices of the Corporation. The Board, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications, and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication. Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.

 

Section 2.6.          Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice, stating the place, if any, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not fewer than ten days nor greater than 60 days before the date of the meeting, in a manner pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify (a) the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), (b) the place, if any, date and time of such meeting, (c) 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, (d) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called and (e) such other information as may be required by applicable law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. If the stockholder list referred to in Section 2.4 of these Bylaws is made accessible on an electronic network, the notice of meeting must indicate how the stockholder list can be accessed. If the meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of electronic communications, the notice of meeting must provide the information required to access such stockholder list during the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his/her address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. The Corporation may provide stockholders with notice of a meeting by electronic transmission provided such stockholders have consented to receiving electronic notice in accordance with the DGCL. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by applicable law. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of meeting. An affidavit that notice has been given, executed by the Secretary of the Corporation, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the notice in the absence of fraud. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 233 of the DGCL. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to vote are present, or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with Section 7.4 of these Bylaws.

 

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Section 2.7.          Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings.

 

(a)               Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting (the “Voting Stock”), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. For the avoidance of doubt, abstentions (that are marked as such) and broker non-votes shall be treated as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of quorum. Only the person presiding over the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

(b)               Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for greater than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 2.8.          Proxies. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy executed in writing (or in such other manner prescribed by the DGCL) by the stockholder or by his/her duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Any copy, facsimile transmission or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile transmission or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and applicable law makes it irrevocable. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that 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.

 

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Section 2.9.          Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

 

(a)               Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(i)                 Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof, subject to the obligations of the Corporation set forth in any nomination agreements between the Corporation and any stockholder that may be in effect from time to time (as amended or supplemented in accordance with their terms, the “Nomination Agreements”) or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) complies with the notice procedures and other requirements set forth in these Bylaws and applicable law as to such business or nomination. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 2.9(a)(i)(C) of these Bylaws shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant thereto) before an annual meeting of the stockholders.

 

(ii)              For any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.9(a)(i)(C) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, and in the case of business other than nominations, such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation by registered mail at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which anniversary, in the case of the first annual meeting of stockholders following the close of the Corporation’s business combination, shall be deemed to be May 1, 2022); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is greater than 30 days before or greater than 60 days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year (other than with respect to the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the close of the Corporation’s business combination), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is fewer than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment, postponement or recess of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice (whether given pursuant to this Section 2.9(a)(ii) or Section 2.9(b)) to the Secretary of the Corporation must:

 

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(A)             set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (1) the name and address of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such Stockholder Associated Person, if any, (2) (I) the class or series and number of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person as of the date of the notice, (II) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”), directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation held by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, in each case, as of the date of the notice, (III) a description of any agreement, proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation or among such stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person and any other person 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), (IV) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these Bylaws a person shall be deemed to have a “short interest” in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security) by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, (V) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (VI) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (VII) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s or Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information, in each case, shall be supplemented by such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person not later than 10 calendar days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such information as of the record date), (3) any other information relating to such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (4) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such nomination or other business before the meeting, and (5) a representation as to whether such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends to (I) deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or to elect each such nominee or (II) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination. If requested by the Corporation, the information required under clauses (A)(1) and (A)(2) of the preceding sentence of this Section 2.9(a)(ii) shall be supplemented by such stockholder and any such Stockholder Associated Person not later than five days after the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose such information as of such record date;

 

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(B)              if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth (1) 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 material interest of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, in such business and (2) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

 

(C)              set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board (1) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving a full term as a director if elected), (2) such person’s written consent to serving as a director, if elected, for the full term for which such person is standing for election, and (3) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, and each proposed nominee, and his/her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any Stockholder Associated Person on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

 

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(D)             with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9(a)(iv) of these Bylaws and such other information that the Corporation may reasonably request and that is necessary to permit the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination whether such person can be considered an independent director.

 

(iii)            Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by these Bylaws shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(iv)             To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a proposed nominee must deliver (in accordance with the method, means and time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws and applicable law) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (A) a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire the proposed nominee shall request in writing from the Secretary with at least 7 days’ prior notice); (B) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (1) is not and will not become a party to (I) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote in such capacity on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (II) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (2) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (3) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable law and all applicable rules of the U.S. exchanges upon which the Common Stock of the Corporation is listed and all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and other guidelines of the Corporation, (4) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, intends to serve a full term if elected as a director of the Corporation and (5) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (C) a written director agreement (which agreement shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request and shall include, without limitation, such person’s agreement to abide by all policies applicable to directors of the Corporation, including a requirement to preserve and maintain the confidentiality of the Corporation’s material non-public information).

 

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(v)               For purposes of this Section 2.9(a), “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (A) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (B) any other beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (C) if any such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, each director, executive, managing member or control person of such entity, where “control person” includes any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such beneficial owner.

 

(b)               Special Meetings of Stockholders.

 

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 may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to a notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof, subject to the obligations of the Corporation set forth in the Nomination Agreements or (ii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these Bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) complies with the notice procedures and other requirements set forth in these Bylaws. In the event a special meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder 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 stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws with respect to any nomination (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9(a)(iv) of these Bylaws) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is fewer than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 10th 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 to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or recess of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(c)               General.

 

(i)                 Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and the Nomination Agreements shall be eligible to serve as directors, and only such other 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 these Bylaws and applicable law. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the person presiding over the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any other 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 these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded. For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise required by law or otherwise determined by the Chairman of the Board, the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, if the stockholder does not provide the information required under Section 2.9 of these Bylaws to the Corporation within the time 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 other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(ii)              For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by Dow Jones News Service, the Associated Press, or any other 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 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(iii)            Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to Sections 2.9(a) or 2.9(b) of these Bylaws or the Nomination Agreements. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, (B) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws or (C) set forth in the Nomination Agreements.

 

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(iv)             The Corporation may require any proposed stockholder nominee for director to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. Unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) making a nomination or proposal under this Section 2.9 does not appear at a meeting of stockholders to present such nomination or proposal, the nomination shall be disregarded and the proposed business shall not be transacted, as the case may be, notwithstanding that proxies in favor thereof may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.9, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 2.10.      Conduct of Business. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (e) restrictions on the use of any audio or video recording devices at the meeting; (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (g) regulations for the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot (if any); and (h) procedures (if any) requiring attendees to provide the Corporation advance notice of their intent to attend the meeting. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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Section 2.11.       Required Vote. Except as otherwise required 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 vote for each share of such stock held of record by such holder that has voting power upon the subject matter in question. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, at any meeting at which directors are to be elected, so long as a quorum is present, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes validly cast in such election. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, cumulative voting for the election of directors shall be prohibited. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors and certain non-binding advisory votes described below, the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders. In non-binding advisory matters with more than two possible vote choices, the matter shall be deemed the recommendation of the stockholders if it has received a plurality of the votes.

 

Section 2.12.      Treasury Stock. The Corporation shall not vote, directly or indirectly, shares of its own stock owned by it or any other corporation, if a majority of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such corporation is held, directly or indirectly by the Corporation, and such shares will not be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or such other corporation, to vote stock of the Corporation held in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.13.      Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls. At any stockholder meeting, the Board by resolution may, and when required by applicable law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders and the appointment of an inspector is required by applicable law, the person presiding over the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his/her duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his/her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by applicable law.

 

Section 2.14.      Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be taken at a duly held annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by any consent in writing of such stockholders; provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding capital stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of minutes of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand, overnight courier or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

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Article III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1.          General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board elected in accordance with these Bylaws. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. The directors shall act only as a Board, and the individual directors shall have no power as such.

 

Section 3.2.          Number, Tenure and Qualifications. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances and the Nomination Agreements, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board. The election and term of directors shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.3.          Regular Meetings. Subject to Section 3.5, regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such dates, and at such times and places, as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 3.4.          Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix the place, if any, date and time of the meetings. Any business may be conducted at a special meeting of the Board.

 

Section 3.5.          Notice. Notice of any meeting of directors shall be given to each director at his/her business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail, courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five days before such meeting. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least 48 hours before such meeting. If by facsimile or electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least 48 hours before such meeting. If by telephone or by hand delivery, the notice shall be given at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the meeting and shall be confirmed by facsimile or electronic transmission that is sent promptly thereafter. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these Bylaws, as provided under Section 8.1. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 7.4 of these Bylaws.

 

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Section 3.6.           Action by Consent of Board. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, including by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting, and may be stated as such in any document or instrument filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 3.7.          Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where such person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 3.8.          Quorum. Subject to Section 3.9, a whole number of directors equal to at least a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice unless (a) the date, time and place, if any, of the adjourned meeting are not announced at the time of adjournment, in which case notice conforming to the requirements of Section 3.5 of these Bylaws shall be given to each director, or (b) the meeting is adjourned for more than 24 hours, in which case the notice referred to in clause (a) shall be given to those directors not present at the announcement of the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

Section 3.9.          Vacancies. Subject to applicable law, the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock and the Nomination Agreements, any newly created directorship that results from an increase in the number of directors or any vacancy on the Board that results from the death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director or from any other cause shall be filled in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.10.      Removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock, if any, to elect additional directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation thereunder) and the Nomination Agreements, any director may be removed only for cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election of directors, acting at a meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, provided that so long as the Sponsor Entities own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, any director may be removed with or without cause by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

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Section 3.11.      Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall perform all duties incidental to his/her office that may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him/her by the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall make reports to the Board and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chairman of the Board may also serve as Chief Executive Officer, if so elected by the Board.

 

Section 3.12.      Records. The Board shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registers and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.13.      Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have authority to fix the compensation of directors, including fees and reimbursement of expenses. The Corporation will cause each non-employee director serving on the Board to be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by him/her in connection with such service.

 

Section 3.14.      Regulations. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board and for the management of the affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board may deem appropriate.

 

Article IV
COMMITTEES

 

Section 4.1.          Designation; Powers. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, subject to the obligations of the Corporation set forth in the Nomination Agreements. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board 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 it.

 

Section 4.2.          Procedure; Meetings; Quorum. Any committee designated pursuant to Section 4.1 shall choose its own chairman by a majority vote of the members then in attendance in the event the chairman has not been selected by the Board, shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board when requested, and shall meet at such times and at such place or places as may be provided by the charter of such committee or by resolution of such committee or resolution of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the members thereof shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be necessary for the adoption by it of any resolution. The Board shall adopt a charter for each committee for which a charter is required by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange rules, may adopt a charter for any other committee, and may adopt other rules and regulations for the governance of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws or any such charter, and each committee may adopt its own rules and regulations of governance, to the extent not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any charter or other rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

 

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Section 4.3.           Substitution of Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such 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 constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

 

Article V
OFFICERS

 

Section 5.1.          Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as the Board from time to time may deem proper. All officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article V. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board or by any committee thereof. The Board or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or Chief Executive Officer may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or such committee thereof or by the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.

 

Section 5.2.          Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected or appointed from time to time by the Board. Each officer shall hold office until his/her successor shall have been duly elected or appointed and shall have qualified or until his/her death or until he/she shall resign, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or, except in the case of an officer or agent elected by the Board, by the Chief Executive Officer. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his/her successor, his/her death, his/her resignation or his/her removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

 

Section 5.3.          Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall act as the general manager and, subject, to the control of the Board, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation. If the Chief Executive Officer is also a member of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, checks, orders, contracts, leases, notes, drafts and all other documents and instruments in connection with the business of the Corporation.

 

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Section 5.4.           Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall act in an executive financial capacity. The Chief Financial Officer shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the general supervision of the Corporation’s financial policies and affairs.

 

Section 5.5.          President. The President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him/her by the Board.

 

Section 5.6.          Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents. Each Senior Vice President and Vice President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him/her by the Board.

 

Section 5.7.          Treasurer. The Treasurer, if any, shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board. He/she shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him/her from time to time by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 5.8.          Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the stockholders; he/she shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by applicable law; he/she shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal; and he/she shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, he/she shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 5.9.          Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board or any committee thereof for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 5.10.      Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of security holders of or with respect to any action of security holders of any other corporation or entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers that the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

 

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Article VI

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS

 

Section 6.1.          Uncertificated Shares and Transfers. The shares of the Corporation shall be uncertificated, provided that the Corporation shall be permitted to issue such nominal number of certificates to securities depositories and further provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be represented by certificates. The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, which may be maintained by a third party registrar or transfer agent, by the holder thereof in person or by his/her attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require or upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of uncertificated shares and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form.

 

Each certificated share of stock shall be signed, countersigned and registered in such manner as the Board may by resolution prescribe, which resolution may permit all or any of the signatures on such certificates to be in facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile 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 he/she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 6.2.          Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If at any time shares of the Corporation’s stock are represented by certificates, no certificate for shares or uncertificated shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board or any financial officer may in its or his/her discretion require.

 

Section 6.3.          Ownership of Shares. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock of the Corporation as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, 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 the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 6.4.          Regulations Regarding Certificates. If at any time shares of the Corporation’s stock are represented by certificates, the Board shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration or the replacement of such certificates. The Corporation may enter into additional agreements with stockholders to restrict the transfer of stock of the Corporation in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

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Article VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 7.1.          Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year unless otherwise determined by the Board.

 

Section 7.2.          Dividends. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of stock, which dividends may be paid in either cash, property or shares of stock of the Corporation. A member of the Board, or a member of any committee designated by the Board, shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

 

Section 7.3.          Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form as the Board may adopt.

 

Section 7.4.          Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, including by electronic transmission, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 7.5.          Resignations. Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice, including by electronic transmission, of such resignation to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary, or at such earlier or later time as is specified therein. No formal action shall be required of the Board or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

 

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Section 7.6.          Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a)               The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he/she, or a person for whom he/she is the legal representative, is or was a director or 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, trustee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent, against all expenses, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such proceeding.

 

(b)               The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 7.6 or otherwise.

 

(c)               The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Section 7.6 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his/her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.6, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

(d)               If a claim for indemnification under this Section 7.6 (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within sixty days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Section 7.6 is not paid in full within thirty days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any suit brought by the Covered Person 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 Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section 7.6 or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

(e)               The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Section 7.6 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

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(f)                This Section 7.6 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

 

(g)               Any Covered Person entitled to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses, in each case pursuant to this Section 7.6, may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and/or insurance provided by one or more persons with whom or which such Covered Person may be associated. The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Corporation shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any proceeding, expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Section 7.6, (ii) the Corporation shall be primarily liable for all such obligations and any indemnification afforded to a Covered Person in respect of a proceeding, expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Section 7.6, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any persons with whom or which a Covered Person may be associated to indemnify such Covered Person and/or advance expenses or liabilities to such Covered Person in respect of any proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Corporation hereunder, (iv) the Corporation shall be required to indemnify each Covered Person and advance expenses to each Covered Person hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights such Covered Person may have against any other person with whom or which such Covered Person may be associated or insurer of any such person, and (v) the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other person with whom or which a Covered Person may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Corporation hereunder.

 

Section 7.7.          Notices. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by applicable law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee, trustee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, or by sending such notice by commercial courier service, or by facsimile or other electronic transmission, provided that notice to stockholders by electronic transmission shall be given in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee, trustee or agent at his/her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively, notice to any stockholder shall be deemed given: (a) if by facsimile, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (b) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (c) if by posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (i) such posting and (ii) the giving of such separate notice; (d) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder; and (e) if by mail, when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.8.          Facsimile and Electronic Signatures. In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile or electronic signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile or electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board or a committee thereof.

 

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Section 7.9.          Time Periods. In applying any provision of these Bylaws that require that an act be done or not 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 7.10.      Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his/her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees designated by the Board, or by any other person as to the matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.11.      Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of these Bylaws will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of these Bylaws is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such provision or portion of any provision shall be severable and the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and these Bylaws will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.

 

Section 7.12.      Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws of the United States. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 7.12.

 

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Article VIII
AMENDMENTS

 

Section 8.1.          Amendments. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed (a) by the Board by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors present at any special or regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting or (b) by the stockholders at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the voting power of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, provided that for so long as the Sponsor Entities own at least 30% of the then-outstanding Common Stock, these Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the voting power of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, including at least 65% of the voting power of the shares of the Corporation then held by the Sponsor Entities. No Bylaws hereafter made or adopted, nor any repeal of or amendment thereto, shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that was valid at the time it was taken.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, alteration or repeal of Section 7.6 shall adversely affect any right or protection existing under these Bylaws immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a present or former director, officer or employee thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Nomination Agreement with the Sponsor Entities remain in effect, the Board shall not approve any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of these Bylaws, or the adoption of any new Bylaw, that would be contrary to or inconsistent with the then applicable terms of such Nomination Agreement without the prior written consent of the Sponsor Entities.

 

Date of Adoption: July 1, 2021

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FOUNDERS STOCK LETTER AGREEMENT

 

July 1, 2021

 

Reference is made to that certain letter agreement, dated January 21, 2021 (the “Original Agreement” and, as amended by this Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”), the “Letter Agreement”), by and among Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation (“PubCo”), Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), OC III LVS IX LP, (“OC LP”), TOCU XXXVII LLC, (“TOCU LLC” and, together with OC LP, the “Co-Investors”), Mary Powell, Richard L. Kauffman, Mimi Alemayehou, Anne Frank-Shapiro, Daniel Gross, Amir Mehr and Stephen Moch (collectively, and together with the Sponsor, the “Founder Stockholders” and, together with the Co-Investors, the “Investor Parties”) and EVgo Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Original Agreement.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment, each of the undersigned parties agree to amend the Original Agreement as follows:

 

1. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 6 of the Original Agreement, Transfers of Lock-Up Shares by the Founder Stockholders or any of their transferees permitted by the Letter Agreement (who have complied with this paragraph 1 and all other applicable provisions of the Letter Agreement, “permitted transferees”), are permitted (a) to any member(s) of the Sponsor or a permitted transferee, any affiliates of such members and funds and accounts advised by such members; (b) in the case of an individual, by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (c) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (d) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the applicable limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor or its permitted transferees; provided, however, that, each such Transfer shall be permitted only if the recipient of such Transferred Lock-Up Shares executes a joinder to the Letter Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A.

 

2. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 7 of the Original Agreement, Transfers of $12.50 Threshold Shares by the Founder Stockholders or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 2 and all other applicable provisions of the Letter Agreement, “permitted transferees”), are permitted (a) to any member(s) of the Sponsor or a permitted transferee, any affiliates of such members and funds and accounts advised by such members; (b) in the case of an individual, by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (c) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (d) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the applicable limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor or its permitted transferees; provided, however, that, each such Transfer shall be permitted only if the recipient of such Transferred $12.50 Threshold Shares executes a joinder to the Letter Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A.

 

 

 

 

3. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 8 of the Original Agreement, Transfers of $15.00 Threshold Shares by the Founder Stockholders or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 3 and all other applicable provisions of the Letter Agreement, “permitted transferees”), are permitted (a) to any member(s) of the Sponsor or a permitted transferee, any affiliates of such members and funds and accounts advised by such members; (b) in the case of an individual, by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (c) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (d) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the applicable limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor or its permitted transferees; provided, however, that, each such Transfer shall be permitted only if the recipient of such Transferred $15.00 Threshold Shares executes a joinder to the Letter Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A.

 

4. Except as expressly amended hereby, all the other terms and provisions of the Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Except as expressly set forth in this Amendment, no party waives, modifies, alters, or releases any right, remedy, or claim that such party may have, whether under the Original Agreement or otherwise, including without limitation any right or claim a party may have under any section of the Original Agreement other than the specified section with respect to which such matter is addressed in this Amendment.

 

5. This Amendment and all amendments, modifications, restatements and supplements set forth herein shall be made effective as of the closing date of the Business Combination.

 

6. Section 19 of the Original Agreement is incorporated by reference into this Amendment, mutatis mutandis.

 

7. This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Amendment by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

2

 

 

Please indicate your agreement to the terms of this Amendment by signing where indicated below.

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I
  ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
  Name: John A. Cavalier
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
     
  FOUNDER STOCKHOLDERS
     
  By: /s/ Mary Powell
  Name: Mary Powell
     
  By: /s/ Richard L. Kauffman
  Name: Richard L. Kauffman
     
  By: /s/ Mimi Alemayehou
  Name: Mimi Alemayehou
     
  By: /s/ Anne Frank-Shapiro
  Name: Anne Frank-Shapiro
     
  By: /s/ Daniel Gross
  Name: Daniel Gross
     
  By: /s/ Amir Mehr
  Name: Amir Mehr
     
  By: /s/ Stephen Moch
  Name: Stephen Moch

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Letter Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and agreed

as of the date of this Amendment:

 

CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I ACQUISITION CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ David Crane  
Name: David Crane  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Letter Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and agreed

as of the date of this Amendment:

 

EVGO HOLDINGS, LLC

 

By: /s/ David Nanus  
Name: David Nanus  
Title: EVP  

 

[Signature Page to Amendment to Letter Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

ANNEX A – FORM OF JOINDER

 

Letter Agreement Joinder

 

[Date]

 

Reference is made to that certain letter agreement, dated January 21, 2021 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated June [•], 2021, the “Letter Agreement”), by and among Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation (“PubCo”), Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), OC III LVS IX LP, (“OC LP”), TOCU XXXVII LLC, (“TOCU LLC” and, together with OC LP, the “Co-Investors”), Mary Powell, Richard L. Kauffman, Mimi Alemayehou, Anne Frank-Shapiro, Daniel Gross, Amir Mehr and Stephen Moch (collectively, and together with the Sponsor, the “Founder Stockholders” and, together with the Co-Investors, the “Investor Parties”) and EVgo Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Letter Agreement.

 

1.       Joinder. The undersigned hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that by its execution and delivery hereof, it shall be deemed to be a party to the Letter Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto and expressly assumes and agrees to perform and discharge all of the obligations, covenants and liabilities of a “Founder Stockholder” under the Letter Agreement provided that the undersigned’s amounts of Lock-Up Shares, $12.50 Threshold Shares and $15.00 Threshold Shares shall be as set forth on the Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

2.       Counterparts. This joinder may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The delivery of an electronic signature by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail, as well as electronic signatures complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable Law (e.g., www.docusign.com), to, or a copy/scan of a manual signature on a counterpart to, this Amendment by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such contract shall raise the use of electronic transmission by means of .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or contract was transmitted or communicated by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to e-mail as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder as of the date above first written and authorizes this signature page to be attached to a counterpart of the Letter Agreement.

 

  FOUNDER STOCKHOLDER
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Joinder to Letter Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

The table below sets forth the Total Shares, Lock-Up Shares, $12.50 Threshold Shares and $15.00 Threshold Shares for the Founder Stockholder named therein.

 

Permitted
Transferee
Founder
Stockholder
Address Total Shares Lock-Up
Shares
$12.50
Threshold
Shares
$15.00
Threshold
Shares
[__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]

 

The table below sets forth the Total Shares, Lock-Up Shares, $12.50 Threshold Shares and $15.00 Threshold Shares for the Founder Stockholder who Transferred shares to the above named Founder Stockholder.

 

Transferring
Founder
Stockholder
Address Total Shares Lock-Up
Shares
$12.50
Threshold
Shares
$15.00
Threshold
Shares
[__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]

 

Ex. A

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 1, 2021, is made and entered into by and among EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation f/k/a Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”), Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “CRIS Sponsor”), EVgo Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability (“EVgo Sponsor”), and the undersigned parties listed under Holder on the signature pages hereto (each such party, together with the CRIS Sponsor, the EVgo Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the CRIS Sponsor entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2020, pursuant to which the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”);

 

WHEREAS, on September 29, 2020, the Company, the CRIS Sponsor and certain other security holders named therein (the “Existing Holders”) entered into that certain Registration and Stockholder Rights Agreement (the “Existing Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted the CRIS Sponsor and such other Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, on January 21, 2021, the Company, CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), EVgo Sponsor, EVgo HoldCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EVgo HoldCo”) and EVGO OPCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of EVgo Sponsor (“OpCo”), entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (the “BCA”), pursuant to which the parties to the BCA will undertake the transactions described therein (the “Business Combination”);

 

WHEREAS, after the closing of the Business Combination, the Holders (other than EVgo Sponsor) will own shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), the CRIS Sponsor will own warrants of the Company, each such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Private Placement Warrants”) and EVgo Sponsor will own common units of OpCo (“OpCo Units”) and shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, which together will be exchangeable for shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of OpCo; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Existing Holders desire to terminate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement and enter into this Agreement with EVgo Sponsor and the Holders, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.       Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

BCA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

 

 

Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Combination” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Class B Common Stock” shall have the meaning give in the Recitals hereto.

 

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

CRIS Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Demanding Holder” shall mean any Holder or group of Holders that together elects to dispose of Registrable Securities having an aggregate value of at least $40 million, at the time of the Underwritten Demand, under a Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering.

 

Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.1 of this Agreement.

 

EVgo HoldCo” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

EVgo Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Existing Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Existing Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Form S-3” shall mean a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time.

 

Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Holder Indemnified Persons” shall have the meaning given in subsection 4.1.1 of this Agreement.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4 of this Agreement.

 

Merger Sub” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary to make the statements in a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

OpCo Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Private Placement Warrants” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4 of this Agreement.

 

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Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Private Placement Warrants (including any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement Warrants), (b) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Founder Shares, (c) any outstanding shares of Common Stock held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of OpCo Units and Class B Shares held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such shares of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Security when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; or (iv) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations).

 

Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any such registration statement having been declared effective by, or become effective pursuant to rules promulgated by, the Commission.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a)       all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed);

 

(b)       fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(c)       printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(d)       reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

 

(e)       reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

(f)       reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Demand to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Underwritten Offering.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3 of this Agreement.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

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Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1(b).

 

Suspension Event” shall have the meaning given in Section 3.4 of this Agreement.

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Demand” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3 of this Agreement.

 

Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1.       Registration.

 

2.1.1       Shelf Registration. (a) The Company agrees that, within fifteen (15) business days after the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company will file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement registering the resale of all Registrable Securities permitted to be registered for resale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i) on a Registration Statement on Form S-1. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

(b)       The Company agrees that, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is eligible to register Registrable Securities on Form S-3 (but in any event not less than 15 days thereafter), the Company will file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement registering the resale of all Registrable Securities not included on Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to subsection 2.1.1(a) (collectively, the “Shelf Registrations”). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

2.1.2       Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 of this Agreement or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration has been declared effective by, or become effective pursuant to rules promulgated by, the Commission. Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company shall effect any Shelf Registration on such appropriate registration form of the Commission (x) as shall be selected by the Company and (y) as shall permit the resale of the applicable Registrable Securities by the Holders.

 

2.1.3       Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.3 of this Agreement, any Demanding Holder may make a written demand to the Company for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.1.1 of this Agreement or a new Registration Statement if such Demanding Holders’ Registrable Securities are not then registered by a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with subsection 2.1.1 or permitted to offer in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with subsection 2.1.1 (an “Underwritten Demand”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Underwritten Demand, notify, in writing, all other Holders of such demand, and each Holder who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within two (2) business days (one (1) business day if such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s), such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in the Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Demanding Holders initiating the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not obligated to effect more than an aggregate of four (4) Underwritten Offerings within any twelve (12)-month period pursuant to this subsection 2.1.3 and is not obligated to effect an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this subsection 2.1.3 within ninety (90) days after the closing of an Underwritten Offering (or such shorter period if permitted by applicable lock-up agreements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Underwritten Demand will be effective hereunder unless the net proceeds (net of underwriting fees and commissions) to the Holders from the sale of the Registrable Securities included in such request are reasonably expected to exceed $40,000,000 or such request includes all Registrable Securities owned by the requesting Holders at such time.

 

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2.1.4       Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand, in good faith, advises or advise the Company, the Demanding Holders, the Requesting Holders and other persons or entities holding Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company is obligated to include pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities or other equity securities of the Company requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities of the Company that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Offering (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company held by other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to include pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.1.5       Registration Withdrawal. The Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.3 of this Agreement shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Offering prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with an Underwritten Demand prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.

 

2.2.       Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1       Piggyback Rights. If the Company proposes to (a) file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities of the Company, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities of the Company, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company, other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, or (b) consummate an Underwritten Offering for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed action to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in the case of filing a Registration Statement, not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement), which notice shall (x) describe the amount and type of securities to be included, the intended method(s) of distribution and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, and (y) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within (five (5) business days in the case of filing a Registration Statement and (2) two business days in the case of an Underwritten Offering (unless such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering, then one (1) business day), in each case after receipt of such written notice (such Registration, a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Piggyback Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to include Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.

 

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2.2.2       Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of the equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (a) the shares of equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which Registration or Underwritten Offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (b) the Registrable Securities as to which Registration or Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement and (c) the shares of equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which Registration or Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

(i)       If the Registration or Underwritten Offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or Underwritten Offering (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 of this Agreement, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, as to which Registration or Underwritten Offering has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; or

 

(ii)       If the Registration or Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or Underwritten Offering (A) first, Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, if any, of such requesting persons or entities and the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 of this Agreement, pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities, Common Stock or other equity securities that each requesting persons, entities and Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities, Common Stock or other equity securities that such persons, entities and Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Offering; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), and (B), Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.2.3       Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to, as applicable, the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or the launch of the Underwritten Offering with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or abandon an Underwritten Offering in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

 

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2.2.4       Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration or Underwritten Offering effected pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement shall not be counted as an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand effected under Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

2.3       Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (a) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (b) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand and in the good faith judgment of the Board that such Underwritten Offering would be materially detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or the undertaking of such Underwritten Offering at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be materially detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed or to undertake such Underwritten Offering in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or undertaking of such Underwritten Offering. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing or offering for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any twelve (12)-month period.

 

ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1.       General Procedures. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible and to the extent applicable:

 

3.1.1       prepare and file with the Commission, within the time frame required by Section 2.1.1, a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective, including filing a replacement Registration Statement, if necessary, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or are no longer outstanding (such period, the “Effectiveness Period”);

 

3.1.2       prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by the Demanding Holders or any Underwriter or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or are no longer outstanding;

 

3.1.3       prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or Underwritten Offering, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided, that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;

 

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3.1.4       prior to any Registration of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (a) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (b) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

3.1.5       cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

3.1.6       provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

3.1.7       advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

3.1.8       during the Effectiveness Period, furnish a conformed copy of each filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, promptly after such filing of such documents with the Commission to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel; provided, that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;

 

3.1.9       notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act;

 

3.1.10       subject to the provisions of this Agreement, notify the Holders of the happening of any event as a result of which a Misstatement exists, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 of this Agreement;

 

3.1.11       permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

3.1.12       obtain a comfort letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.13       on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to such placement agent, sales agent or Underwriter;

 

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3.1.14       in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

3.1.15       make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

 

3.1.16       use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and

 

3.1.17       otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.

 

3.2.       Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses in respect of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

3.3.       Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (a) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

3.4       Suspension of Sales. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to (a) delay or postpone the (i) initial effectiveness of any Registration Statement or (ii) launch of any Underwritten Offering, in each case, filed or requested pursuant to this Agreement, and (b) from time to time to require the Holders not to sell under any Registration Statement or Prospectus or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event, the Board reasonably believes, upon the advice of legal counsel, would require additional disclosure by the Company in the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement or Prospectus would be expected, in the reasonable determination of the Board, upon the advice of legal counsel, to cause the Registration Statement or Prospectus to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that the Company may not delay or suspend a Registration Statement, Prospectus or Underwritten Offering on more than two occasions, for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or more than ninety (90) total calendar days, in each case during any twelve-month period. Upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of a Suspension Event while a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event a Misstatement exists, each Holder agrees that (i) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of Registered Securities under each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement until the Holder receives copies of a supplemental or amended Prospectus (which the Company agrees to promptly prepare) that corrects the relevant misstatements or omissions and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales and (ii) it will maintain the confidentiality of information included in such written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. If so directed by the Company, the Holders will deliver to the Company or, in Holders’ sole discretion destroy, all copies of each Prospectus covering Registrable Securities in Holders’ possession; provided, however, that this obligation to deliver or destroy shall not apply (A) to the extent the Holders are required to retain a copy of such Prospectus (x) to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or (y) in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (B) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up.

 

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3.5       Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

4.1.       Indemnification.

 

4.1.1       The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) (collectively, the “Holder Indemnified Persons”) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and inclusive of all reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the enforcement of each such persons’ rights under this Section 4.1) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Person specifically for use therein.

 

4.1.2       In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and inclusive of all reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the enforcement of each such persons’ rights under this Section 4.1) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that the same are made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to the Holder so furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for use therein. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

4.1.3       Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (a) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (b) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim or there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

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4.1.4       The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities.

 

4.1.5       If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall to the extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or such indemnified party and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 of this Agreement, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1       Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (a) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (b) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery or (c) transmission by hand delivery, telecopy, telegram, facsimile or email. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third (3rd) business day following the date on which it is mailed, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, telecopy or telegram, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation, and in the case of notices delivered by facsimile or email, at such time as it is successfully transmitted to the addressee. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: EVgo Inc., 11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90064, Attention: Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, or by email at: francine.sullivan@evgo.com, and, if to any Holder, to the address of such Holder as it appears in the applicable register for the Registrable Securities or such other address as may be designated in writing by such Holder (including on the signature pages hereto). Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

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5.2       Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

5.2.1       This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

 

5.2.2       This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors.

 

5.2.3       This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto or do not hereafter become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement.

 

5.2.4       No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (a) written notice provided in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Agreement and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

 

5.3       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

 

5.4       Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

 

5.5       Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

 

5.6       Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than (a) a Holder of Registrable Securities, (b) the parties to those certain Subscription Agreements, dated as of January 21, 2021, by and between the Company and certain investors, and (c) the holders of the Company’s warrants pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2020, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail and will not enter into any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms that would conflict with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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5.7       Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (b) with respect to any Holder, the date as of which such Holder ceases to hold any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Article V shall survive any termination.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  EVgo Inc.,
  a Delaware corporation
   
  By: /s/ Cathy Zoi
    Name: Cathy Zoi
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

  HOLDERS:
   
  EVgo Holdings, LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
    Name:David Nanus
  Title:EVP

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

  Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Holdings, LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
    Name:John A. Cavalier
    Title:Manager

 

  /s/ Mary Powell
  Mary Powell
   
  /s/ Mimi Alemayehou
  Mimi Alemayehou
   
  /s/ Richard Kauffman
  Richard Kauffman
   
  /s/ Anne Frank-Shapiro
  Anne Frank-Shapiro
   
  /s/ Daniel Gross
  Daniel Gross
   
  /s/ Amir Mehr
  Amir Mehr
   
  /s/ Stephen Moch
  Stephen Moch

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of _______, __, 20__ by and between EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and _______________ (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

 

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws, and the DGCL. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director of the Company, as provided in Section 16 hereof.

 

Section 2.                Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a)               References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

(b)               A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

i.                    Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

ii.                  Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

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iii.                Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

iv.                Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

 

v.                  Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(A)       “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(B)       “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(C)       “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

(c)               “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, partner, managing member, manager, fiduciary, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

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(d)               “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(e)               “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, manager, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

(f)                “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with, or as a result of, prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a deponent or witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, and (iii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

(g)               “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(h)               The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, regulatory or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, by reason of any action taken by him (or a failure to take action by him) or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting pursuant to his Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. If the Indemnitee believes in good faith that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, this shall be considered a Proceeding under this paragraph.

 

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(i)                 Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

Section 3.                Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of its stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.

 

Section 4.                Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered) shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction (after the time for an appeal has expired) to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

 

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Section 5.                Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

Section 6.                Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness, is required to respond to discovery requests in any Proceeding or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

 

Section 7.                Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

Section 8.                Additional Indemnification.

 

(a)               Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee, by reason of his Corporate Status, is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liability and loss suffered) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

 

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(b)               For purposes of Section 8(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

 

i.                   to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and

 

ii.                  to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

Section 9.                Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a)               for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

 

(b)               for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or

 

(c)               except as provided in Section 14(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) such payment arises in connection with any mandatory counterclaim or cross-claim or affirmative defense brought or raised by Indemnitee in any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding), or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

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Section 10.            Advances of Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 14(d)), the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee, and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. In accordance with Section 14(d), advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. This Section 10 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

Section 11.            Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.

 

(a)               Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding, in each case, to the extent known to Indemnitee. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)               The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

Section 12.            Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

 

(a)               Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) if requested by Indemnitee, by Independent Counsel, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, (B) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (D) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (E) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied.

 

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(b)               In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

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Section 13.            Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

 

(a)               In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(b)               Subject to Section 14(e), if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

 

(c)               The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

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(d)               For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with the reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)               The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 14.            Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(a)               Subject to Section 14(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, 6 or 7 or the last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 8 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of his entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b)               In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

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(c)               If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d)               The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.

 

(e)               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

Section 15.            Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

 

(a)               The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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(b)               To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c)               In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(d)               The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

(e)               The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

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(f)                The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Expense, liability or matter that is the subject of the Indemnity Obligations (as defined below), (ii) the Company shall be primarily liable for all Indemnity Obligations and any indemnification afforded to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Expense, liability or matter that is the subject of Indemnity Obligations, whether created by applicable law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated to indemnify Indemnitee or advance Expenses or liabilities to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Company hereunder, (iv) the Company shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses or liabilities to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or insurer of any such Person and (v) the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company hereunder. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnity Obligation owed by the Company or payable under any Company insurance policy, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnity Obligation by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnity Obligation to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated. Any indemnification, insurance or advancement provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated with respect to any liability arising as a result of Indemnitee’s status as director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or capacity as an officer or director of any Person is specifically in excess over any Indemnity Obligation of the Company or valid and any collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company under this Agreement. As used herein, the term “Indemnity Obligations” shall mean all obligations of the Company to Indemnitee under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, this Agreement or otherwise, including the Company’s obligations to provide indemnification to Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

 

Section 16.            Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue for so long as Indemnitee serves as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, partner, member, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether or not Indemnitee is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement. The indemnification and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

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Section 17.            Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement 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 Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

Section 18.            Enforcement.

 

(a)               The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

 

(b)               This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

Section 19.            Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

Section 20.            Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 21.            Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received, or (e) sent by e-mail, with receipt of written confirmation by e-mail that such transmission has been received:

 

(a)               If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

 

(b)               If to the Company to

 

EVgo Inc.

11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 900E

Los Angeles, CA 90064

Attention: General Counsel

 

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

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Section 22.            Contribution.

 

(a)               To the fullest extent permitted by law, whether or not the indemnification provided in this Agreement is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, or Proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

(b)               Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or Proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction or events from which such action, suit or Proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or Proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the transaction or events that resulted in such Expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations that applicable law may require to be considered.

 

(c)               The Company hereby agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution that may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

(d)               To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraphs of this Section 22, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

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(e)               The relative fault of Indemnitee, on the one hand, and of the Company and any and all other parties (including officers and directors of the Company other than Indemnitee) who may be at fault with respect to such matter shall be determined (i) by reference to the relative fault of Indemnitee as determined by the court or other governmental agency assessing the contribution amounts or (ii) to the extent such court or other governmental agency does not apportion relative fault, by the Independent Counsel (or such other party that makes a determination under this Agreement) after giving effect to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, the degree to which their conduct is active or passive, the degree of the knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to prevent or correct the subject matter of the Proceedings and other relevant equitable considerations of each party. The Company and Indemnitee agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 22 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 22.

 

Section 23.            Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808 as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

Section 24.            Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 25.            Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

-17-

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  EVGO INC.
   
  By:  
   
  INDEMNITEE
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Address:

 

-18-

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

DATED AS OF July 1, 2021

 

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN EVGO OPCO, LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, AND HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

Article I Definitions 2
       
  Section 1.1 Definitions 2
       
  Section 1.2 Interpretive Provisions 14
       
Article II ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 15
       
  Section 2.1 Formation 15
       
  Section 2.2 Filing 15
       
  Section 2.3 Name 15
       
  Section 2.4 Registered Office; Registered Agent 15
       
  Section 2.5 Principal Place of Business 15
       
  Section 2.6 Purpose; Powers 15
       
  Section 2.7 Term 15
       
  Section 2.8 Intent 15
       
Article III OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS 16
       
  Section 3.1 Authorized Units; General Provisions With Respect to Units 16
       
  Section 3.2 Voting Rights 18
       
  Section 3.3 Capital Contributions; Unit Ownership 18
       
  Section 3.4 Capital Accounts 18
       
  Section 3.5 Other Matters 18
       
  Section 3.6 Redemption of Units 19
       
Article IV ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES 24
       
  Section 4.1 Profits and Losses 24
       
  Section 4.2 Special Allocations 24
       
  Section 4.3 Allocations for Tax Purposes in General 26
       
  Section 4.4 Other Allocation Rules 27
       
Article V DISTRIBUTIONS 27
       
  Section 5.1 Distributions 27
       
  Section 5.2 Tax-Related Distributions 28
       
  Section 5.3 Distribution Upon Withdrawal 28

 

-i-

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued) 

Page

 

Article VI MANAGEMENT 28
       
  Section 6.1 The Managing Member; Fiduciary Duties 28
       
  Section 6.2 Indemnification; Exculpation 29
       
  Section 6.3 Maintenance of Insurance or Other Financial Arrangements 30
       
  Section 6.4 Resignation or Termination of Managing Member 30
       
  Section 6.5 No Inconsistent Obligations 30
       
  Section 6.6 Reclassification Events of PubCo 30
       
  Section 6.7 Certain Costs and Expenses 30
       
Article VII ROLE OF MEMBERS 31
       
  Section 7.1 Rights or Powers 31
       
  Section 7.2 Voting 31
       
  Section 7.3 Various Capacities 31
       
  Section 7.4 Investment Opportunities 31
       
Article VIII TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS 32
       
  Section 8.1 Restrictions on Transfer 32
       
  Section 8.2 Notice of Transfer 33
       
  Section 8.3 Transferee Members 33
       
  Section 8.4 Legend 33
       
Article IX ACCOUNTING; Certain tax matters 34
       
  Section 9.1 Books of Account 34
       
  Section 9.2 Tax Elections 34
       
  Section 9.3 Tax Returns; Information 35
       
  Section 9.4 Company Representative 35
       
  Section 9.5 Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations 35
       
Article X DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION 37
       
  Section 10.1 Liquidating Events 37
       
  Section 10.2 Procedure 37
       
  Section 10.3 Rights of Members 38
       
  Section 10.4 Notices of Dissolution 38
       
  Section 10.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up 38
       
  Section 10.6 No Deficit Restoration 38

 

-ii-

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued) 

Page

 

       
Article XI GENERAL 38
       
  Section 11.1 Amendments; Waivers 38
       
  Section 11.2 Further Assurances 39
       
  Section 11.3 Successors and Assigns 39
       
  Section 11.4 Certain Representations by Members 39
       
  Section 11.5 Entire Agreement 39
       
  Section 11.6 Rights of Members Independent 39
       
  Section 11.7 Governing Law 39
       
  Section 11.8 Jurisdiction and Venue 39
       
  Section 11.9 Headings 39
       
  Section 11.10 Counterparts 39
       
  Section 11.11 Notices 39
       
  Section 11.12 Representation By Counsel; Interpretation 40
       
  Section 11.13 Severability 40
       
  Section 11.14 Expenses 40
       
  Section 11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial 40
       
  Section 11.16 No Third Party Beneficiaries 40

 

-iii-

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 1, 2021, by and among EVGO OPCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“PubCo Sub”), EVgo Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EVgo Holdings”), and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company is governed by that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated effective as of January 13, 2021 (the “Existing LLC Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, EVgo Holdings has been the sole owner of the Company since the Company’s formation and EVgo Holdings has contributed all of the Equity Securities in EVgo Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, to the Company in exchange for all of the Units;

 

WHEREAS, the Persons party to this Agreement, among others, previously entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2021, (the “Business Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which, such Persons agreed that, among other things, PubCo Sub would be admitted as a Member of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby (the “Business Combination”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, and as more fully described therein, (i) PubCo has agreed to contribute to PubCo Sub all of its assets, including all of its Available Cash (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and certain Class B Shares (as defined below), (ii) immediately thereafter, PubCo Sub has agreed to transfer to EVgo Holdings certain Class B Shares and the right to enter into the Business Combination TRA, and (iii) immediately thereafter, PubCo Sub has agreed to contribute all of its remaining assets to the Company in exchange for Units therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Units owned by each of the Members immediately after the Business Combination are set forth on Exhibit A; and

 

1

 

 

WHEREAS, the Members of the Company desire to amend and restate the Existing LLC Agreement and adopt this Agreement, which shall supersede and replace the Existing LLC Agreement in its entirety as of the date hereof.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I

Definitions

 

Section 1.1            Definitions. As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply: “Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Action” means any claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Entity.

 

Adjusted Basis” has the meaning given such term in Section 1011 of the Code.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year or other taxable period, with the following adjustments:

 

(a) credit to such Capital Account any amount that such Member is obligated to restore under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), as well as any addition thereto pursuant to the next to last sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) after taking into account thereunder any changes during such year in Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain; and

 

(b) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).

 

This definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and 1.704-2 and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For these purposes, “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, (a) no Member shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed an Affiliate of any Member.

 

2

 

 

Agreement” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

beneficially own” and “beneficial owner” shall be as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Board” means the board of directors of PubCo.

 

Business Combination” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Business Combination Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Business Combination TRA” means that certain tax receivable agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, PubCo Sub, and certain current and former Members or Affiliates of the Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which commercial banks in the city of the Company’s principal place of business are generally open for business.

 

Business Opportunities Exempt Party” is defined in Section 7.4.

 

Call Right” is defined in Section 3.6(n).

 

Capital Account” means, with respect to any Member, the Capital Account maintained for such Member in accordance with Section 3.4.

 

Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of cash and the initial Gross Asset Value of any property (other than cash) contributed to the Company by such Member. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Member will include any Capital Contributions made by a predecessor holder of such Member’s Units to the extent that such Capital Contribution was made in respect of Units Transferred to such Member.

 

Cash Election” means an election by the Company to redeem Units for cash pursuant to Section 3.6(d) or an election by PubCo Sub (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) to purchase Units for cash pursuant to an exercise of its Call Right set forth in Section 3.6(n).

 

3

 

 

Cash Election Amount” means with respect to a particular Redemption for which a Cash Election has been made, (a) other than in the case of clause (b), if the Class A Shares trade on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the number of Class A Shares that would have been received in such Redemption if a Cash Election had not been made and (ii) the average of the volume-weighted closing price for a Class A Share on the principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Shares trade, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor, for each of the 10 consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the Redemption Notice Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Shares; (b) if the Cash Election is made in respect of a Redemption Notice issued by a Redeeming Member in connection with a Public Offering (or PubCo consummates a Public Offering to fund such Cash Election), an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the number of Class A Shares that would have been received in such Redemption if a Cash Election had not been made and (ii) the price per Class A Share sold to the public in such Public Offering (reduced by the amount of any Discount associated with such Class A Share), and (c) if the Class A Shares no longer trade on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the number of Class A Shares that would have been received in such Redemption if a Cash Election had not been made and (ii) the Fair Market Value of one Class A Share, as determined by the Managing Member in Good Faith, that would be obtained in an arms’ length transaction for cash between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, neither of whom is under any compulsion to buy or sell, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller and without any discounts for liquidity or minority discount.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events or series of events after the closing of the Business Combination:

 

(a)       any Person (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of PubCo in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of PubCo Shares and excluding EVgo Holdings and its Affiliates) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of PubCo representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of PubCo’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(b)       there is consummated a merger or consolidation of PubCo with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of PubCo immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

 

(c)       the shareholders of PubCo approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of PubCo or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by PubCo of all or substantially all of PubCo’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by PubCo of all or substantially all of PubCo’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of PubCo in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of PubCo immediately prior to such sale.

 

Change of Control Exchange Date” is defined in Section 3.6(q).

 

Class A Shares” means, as applicable, (a) the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class A Shares or into which the Class A Shares is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

4

 

 

Class B Shares” means, as applicable, (a) the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person or cash or other property that become payable in consideration for the Class B Shares or into which the Class B Shares is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

Company” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Company Level Taxes” means any U.S. federal, state, or local taxes, additions to tax, penalties, and interest payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of any examination of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ affairs by any U.S. federal, state, or local tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings under the Partnership Tax Audit Rules.

 

Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning of “partnership minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d). It is further understood that Company Minimum Gain shall be determined in a manner consistent with the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), including the requirement that if the adjusted Gross Asset Value of property subject to one or more Nonrecourse Liabilities differs from its adjusted tax basis, Company Minimum Gain shall be determined with reference to such Gross Asset Value.

 

Company Representative” has the meaning assigned to the term “partnership representative” in Section 6223 of the Code and any “designated individual,” if applicable, as defined in the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including, in each case, any similar capacity or role under relevant state or local law), as appointed pursuant to Section 9.4.

 

Contract” means any written agreement, contract, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, obligation, promise or undertaking.

 

control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly or as trustee, personal representative or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee, personal representative or executor, by contract, credit arrangement or otherwise.

 

Covered Audit Adjustment” means an adjustment to any partnership-related item (within the meaning of Section 6241(2)(B) of the Code) to the extent such adjustment results in an “imputed underpayment” as described in Section 6225(b) of the Code or any analogous provision of state or local Law.

 

Covered Person” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

5

 

 

Debt Securities” means any and all debt instruments or debt securities that are not convertible or exchangeable into Equity Securities of any member of the PubCo Holdings Group.

 

Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period, except that (a) with respect to any such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the “remedial method” pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (b) with respect to any other such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period bears to such beginning Adjusted Basis; provided, however, that if the Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period is zero, Depreciation with respect to such asset shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.

 

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Discount” means any underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions.

 

Equity Securities” means (a) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company or similar Person, any and all units, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options or other equivalents of, or other ownership interests in, any such Person as well as debt or equity instruments convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into any such units, interests, rights or other ownership interests and (b) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares, interests, participation or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, including all common stock and preferred stock, or warrants, options or other rights to acquire any of the foregoing, including any debt instrument convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

EVgo Holdings” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Excess Tax Amount” is defined in Section 9.5(c).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Existing LLC Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of any property as reasonably determined by the Managing Member after taking into account such factors as the Managing Member shall deem appropriate.

 

Federal Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year unless, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, another fiscal year is required. The Company shall have the same fiscal year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for accounting purposes.

 

GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles at the time.

 

Good Faith” means a Person having acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to a criminal proceeding, having had no reasonable cause to believe such Person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Governmental Entity” means any federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local, foreign or other government, governmental, stock exchange, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial or arbitral body.

 

Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(a) the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset as of the date of such contribution;

 

(b) the Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values as of the following times: (i) the acquisition of an interest (or additional interest) in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution to the Company or in exchange for the performance of more than a de minimis amount of services to or for the benefit of the Company; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company assets as consideration for an interest in the Company; (iii) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)(1), (iv) the acquisition of an interest in the Company by any new or existing Member upon the exercise of a noncompensatory option in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); or (v) any other event to the extent determined by the Managing Member to be permitted and necessary or appropriate to properly reflect Gross Asset Values in accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q); provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) above shall be made only if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company. If any noncompensatory options are outstanding upon the occurrence of an event described in this subsection (b)(i) through (b)(v), the Company shall adjust the Gross Asset Values of its properties in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2);

 

7

 

 

(c) the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross Fair Market Value of such asset on the date of such distribution;

 

(d) the Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the Adjusted Basis of such assets pursuant to Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code, but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and subsection (f) in the definition of “Profits” or “Losses” below or Section 4.2(h); provided, however, that the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection to the extent the Managing Member determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (b) of this definition is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (d); and

 

(e) if the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsections (a), (b) or (d) of this definition of Gross Asset Value, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits, Losses, and other items allocated pursuant to Article IV.

 

Indebtedness” means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money (including capitalized lease obligations, sale-leaseback transactions or other similar transactions, however evidenced), (b) any other indebtedness that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, draft or similar instrument, (c) notes payable, and (d) lines of credit and any other agreements relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit.

 

Interest” means the entire interest of a Member in the Company, including the Units and all of such Member’s rights, powers and privileges under this Agreement and the Act.

 

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, requirement or rule of law (including common law) of any Governmental Entity.

 

Legal Action” is defined in Section 11.8.

 

Liability” means any liability or obligation, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due, regardless of when asserted.

 

8

 

 

Liquidating Event” is defined in Section 10.1.

 

Managing Member” means PubCo Sub, in its capacity as sole managing member of the Company.

 

Member” means any Person that executes this Agreement as a Member, and any other Person admitted to the Company as an additional or substituted Member, in each case, that has not made a disposition of such Person’s entire Interest.

 

Member Minimum Gain” has the meaning ascribed to “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). It is further understood that the determination of Member Minimum Gain and the net increase or decrease in Member Minimum Gain shall be made in the same manner as required for such determination of Company Minimum Gain under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(g)(3).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse debt” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse deductions” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Minority Member Redemption Date” is defined in Section 3.6(o).

 

Minority Member Redemption Notice” is defined in Section 3.6(o).

 

National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning assigned that term in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b).

 

Nonrecourse Liability” is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).

 

Partnership Tax Audit Rules” means Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code, together with any final or temporary Treasury Regulations, Revenue Rulings, and case law interpreting Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code (and any analogous provision of state or local tax Law).

 

Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Member: (a) any Affiliate of such Member; (b) with respect to any Member that is a natural person or of which a majority of the outstanding Equity Securities and voting power with respect to the election of directors (or the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation) are beneficially owned (as such term is defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) by a single natural person, a trust established by or for the benefit of such natural person of which only such natural person and his or her immediate family members are beneficiaries; and (c) upon the death of any Member that is a natural person, an executor, administrator or beneficiary of the estate of the deceased Member.

 

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Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, as well as any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a person under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

Plan Asset Regulations” means the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulations as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Post-Business Combination TRA” means any tax receivable agreement (or comparable agreement), other than the Business Combination TRA, entered into by PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which any member of the PubCo Holdings Group is obligated to pay over amounts with respect to tax benefits resulting from any tax attributes to which any member of the PubCo Holdings Group becomes entitled.

 

Proceeding” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

Profits” or “Losses” means, for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

(a) any income or gain of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(b) any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

(c) if the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of the definition of Gross Asset Value above, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall, except to the extent allocated pursuant to Section 4.2, be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;

 

(d) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company assets with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed with reference to the Gross Asset Value of the asset disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset differs from its Gross Asset Value;

 

(e) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation;

 

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(f) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and

 

(g) any items of income, gain, loss or deduction that are specifically allocated pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses for any taxable year, but such items available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 4.2 will be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subsections (a) through (f) above.

 

Property” means all real and personal property owned by the Company from time to time, including both tangible and intangible property.

 

PubCo” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

PubCo Approved Change of Control” means any Change of Control specified in clause (b) of the definition thereof that meets the following conditions: (i) such Change of Control was approved by the Board prior to such Change of Control, (ii) such Change of Control results in an early termination of and acceleration of payments under the Business Combination TRA, (iii) the terms of such Change of Control provide for the consideration for the Units in such Change of Control to consist solely of (A) freely and immediately tradeable common equity securities of an issuer listed on a national securities exchange or (B) cash, and (iv) if such consideration includes common equity, the market value of the outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of such issuer is at least twice as large as the market value of all of the outstanding common equity of PubCo, in each case on a fully-diluted basis immediately before the public announcement of such Change of Control.

 

PubCo Holdings Group” means PubCo, PubCo Sub and each Subsidiary of PubCo (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries).

 

PubCo Shares” means all shares of stock in PubCo, including the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares.

 

PubCo Sub” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

PubCo Tax-Related Liabilities” means (a) any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax obligations (including any Company Level Taxes for which the PubCo Holdings Group is liable hereunder) owed by the PubCo Holdings Group (other than any obligations to remit any amounts withheld from payments to third parties) and (b) any obligations under the Business Combination TRA and any Post-Business Combination TRA payable by the PubCo Holdings Group.

 

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Public Offering” means an underwritten offering and sale of Equity Securities to the public pursuant to a registration statement, including a “bought” deal or “overnight” public offering.

 

Reclassification Event” means any of the following: (a) any reclassification or recapitalization of PubCo Shares (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination or any transaction subject to Section 3.1(g)), (b) any merger, consolidation or other combination involving PubCo, or (c) any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of PubCo to any other Person, in each of clauses (a), (b) or (c), as a result of which holders of PubCo Shares shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their PubCo Shares.

 

Redeeming Member” is defined in Section 3.6(a).

 

Redemption” means any redemption of Units into Class A Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Redemption Date” means a Regular Redemption Date, a Special Redemption Date or, with respect to a Redemption pursuant to clause (x) of Section 3.6(e)(iii), the later of (a) the date specified in the Redemption Notice delivered by the Member and (b) the date that is ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of the Redemption Notice to the Company and PubCo Sub.

 

Redemption Notice” is defined in Section 3.6(b).

 

Redemption Notice Date” means, except as otherwise specified by the Managing Member to the extent necessary for PubCo to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement, with respect to any Regular Redemption Date or Special Redemption Date, the date that is 10 Business Days before such Redemption Date, and for any other Redemption Date, the date the Redemption Notice with respect to such Redemption Date is delivered, which date shall not be less than 10 Business Days before such Redemption Date.

 

Redemption Right” is defined in Section 3.6(a).

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, by and among PubCo and the Members, to be entered into concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Regular Redemption Date” means a date within each fiscal quarter specified by PubCo from time to time, which will generally be set so that the corresponding Redemption Notice Date falls within a window after PubCo’s earnings announcement for the prior fiscal quarter or in connection with a Public Offering.

 

Regulatory Allocations” is defined in Section 4.2(i).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

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Special Redemption Date” means a date specified by PubCo in addition to or in lieu of the Regular Redemption Date during the same fiscal quarter. PubCo must specify a Special Redemption Date effective with any Public Offering.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person with respect to which such specified Person (a) has, directly or indirectly, the power, through the ownership of securities or otherwise, to elect a majority of directors or similar managing body or (b) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of such Person’s Equity Securities.

 

Tax Contribution Obligation” is defined in Section 9.5(c).

 

Tax Offset” is defined in Section 9.5(c).

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

 

Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect (whether through a change of control of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, the issuance or transfer of Equity Securities of the Transferor, by operation of law or otherwise), transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation (other than a bona fide pledge to secure indebtedness) or other disposition and, when used as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly (whether through a change of control of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, the issuance or transfer of Equity Securities of the Transferor or any Person that controls the Transferor, by operation of law or otherwise), to transfer, sell, pledge or hypothecate or otherwise dispose of; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the transfer of Equity Securities in EVgo Holdings or any direct or indirect owner thereof shall not be deemed a Transfer for any purpose of this Agreement. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company or such other agent or agents of PubCo as may be designated by the Board as the transfer agent for the Class A Shares.

 

Treasury Regulations” means pronouncements, as amended from time to time, or their successor pronouncements, which clarify, interpret and apply the provisions of the Code, and which are designated as “Treasury Regulations” by the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of Delaware.

 

Units” means the Units issued or purchased pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement or issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and shall also include any Equity Security of the Company issued in respect of or in exchange for Units, whether by way of dividend or other distribution, split, recapitalization, merger, rollup transaction, consolidation, conversion or reorganization.

 

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Winding-Up Member” is defined in Section 10.2(a).

 

Section 1.2            Interpretive Provisions. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned under GAAP;

 

(b) all references to currency, monetary values and dollars set forth herein shall mean United States (U.S.) dollars and all payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars;

 

(c) when a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated;

 

(d) whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

 

(e) “or” is disjunctive and is not exclusive;

 

(f) pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms;

 

(g) references to any Law shall include any successor legislation and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and references to any Law shall be construed as including all statutory, legal, and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing such Law as amended from time to time;

 

(h) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

 

(i) whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified, and when counting days, the date of commencement will not be included as a full day for purposes of computing any applicable time periods (except as otherwise may be required under any applicable Law). If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action may be deferred until the next Business Day.

 

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Article II


ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

Section 2.1            Formation. The Company has been formed as a limited liability company subject to the provisions of the Act upon the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2             Filing. The Company’s Certificate of Formation has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act. The Members shall execute such further documents (including amendments to such Certificate of Formation) and take such further action as is appropriate to comply with the requirements of Law for the formation or operation of a limited liability company in Delaware and in all states and counties where the Company may conduct its business.

 

Section 2.3            Name. The name of the Company is “EVGO OPCO, LLC” and all business of the Company shall be conducted in such name or, in the discretion of the Managing Member, under any other name.

 

Section 2.4            Registered Office; Registered Agent. The location of the registered office of the Company and the name and address for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware are as set forth in the Company’s Certificate of Formation, or such other office, qualified Person or address, as applicable, as the Managing Member may designate from time to time.

 

Section 2.5            Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located in such place as is determined by the Managing Member from time to time.

 

Section 2.6            Purpose; Powers. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions and engage in any and all activities necessary, appropriate, desirable, advisable, ancillary or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing purpose.

 

Section 2.7            Term. The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act and shall continue indefinitely. The Company may be dissolved and its affairs wound up only in accordance with Article X.

 

Section 2.8            Intent. It is the intent of the Members that the Company be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a “partnership” solely for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income tax purposes. It is also the intent of the Members that the Company not be operated or treated as a “partnership” for any other purpose, including for purposes of Section 303 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. Neither the Company nor any Member shall take any action inconsistent with the express intent of the parties hereto as set forth in this Section 2.8.

 

ARTICLE III

 

OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

 

Section 3.1            Authorized Units; General Provisions With Respect to Units.

 

  (a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall be authorized to issue from time to time such number of Units and such other Equity Securities as the Managing Member shall determine in accordance with Section 3.3. Each authorized Unit may be issued pursuant to such agreements as the Managing Member shall approve, including pursuant to options and warrants. The Company may reissue any Units that have been repurchased or acquired by the Company.
     
(b) Except to the extent explicitly provided otherwise herein (including Section 3.3), each outstanding Unit shall be identical.

 

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(c) Initially, none of the Units will be represented by certificates. If the Managing Member determines that it is in the interest of the Company to issue certificates representing the Units, certificates will be issued and the Units will be represented by those certificates, and this Agreement shall be amended as necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of certificated Units for purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code. Nothing contained in this Section 3.1(c) shall be deemed to authorize or permit any Member to Transfer its Units except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement.

 

(d) The total number of Units issued and outstanding and held by each Member as of the date hereof is set forth in the books and records of the Company. The Company shall update such books and records from time to time to reflect any Transfers of Interests, the issuance of additional Equity Securities and, subject to Section 11.1(a), subdivisions or combinations of Units made in compliance with Section 3.1(g), in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e) If, at any time after the final delivery of Class A Shares by PubCo in the Business Combination, PubCo issues a Class A Share or any other Equity Security of PubCo (other than Class B Shares), (i) one or more member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds (in cash or other property, as the case may be), if any, received by PubCo for such Class A Share or other Equity Security and (ii) the Company shall concurrently issue to such member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group, in accordance with the contributions made by each such member pursuant to clause (i), one Unit (if PubCo issues a Class A Share), or such other Equity Security of the Company (if PubCo issues Equity Securities other than Class A Shares) corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by PubCo, and with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation, but taking into account differences resulting from any tax or other liabilities borne by PubCo) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo to be issued; provided, however, that if PubCo issues any Class A Shares in order to acquire or fund the acquisition from a Member (other than any member of the PubCo Holdings Group) of a number of Units (and Class B Shares) equal to the number of Class A Shares so issued, then the Company shall not issue any new Units in connection therewith and, where such Class A Shares have been issued for cash to fund such an acquisition by any member of the PubCo Holdings Group pursuant to a Cash Election, the PubCo Holdings Group shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company, and such net proceeds shall instead be transferred by such member of the PubCo Holdings Group to such Member as consideration for such acquisition as required pursuant to Section 3.6(d). If PubCo issues any Equity Security for cash to be used to fund the acquisition by any member of the PubCo Holdings Group of any Person or the assets of any Person, then the PubCo Holdings Group shall not be required to transfer such cash proceeds to the Company but instead such member of the PubCo Holdings Group shall be required to contribute such Person or the assets and liabilities of such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.1(e) shall not apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of PubCo Shares of rights to purchase Equity Securities of PubCo under a “poison pill” or similar shareholders rights plan (and upon any redemption of Units for Class A Shares, such Class A Shares will be issued together with a corresponding right under such plan), or to the issuance under PubCo’s employee benefit plans of any warrants, options, other rights to acquire Equity Securities of PubCo or rights or property that may be converted into or settled in Equity Securities of PubCo, but shall in each of the foregoing cases apply to the issuance of Equity Securities of PubCo in connection with the exercise or settlement of such rights, warrants, options or other rights or property, which shall be undertaken so as to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1032-3 and deemed to occur for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income tax purposes as provided therein. Except pursuant to Section 3.6, (x) the Company may not issue any additional Units to any member of the PubCo Holdings Group unless substantially simultaneously therewith a member of the PubCo Holdings Group issues or sells an equal number of newly issued PubCo’s Class A Shares to another Person, and (y) the Company may not issue any other Equity Securities of the Company to any member of the PubCo Holdings Group unless substantially simultaneously a member of the PubCo Holdings Group issues or sells, to another Person, an equal number of newly issued shares of a new class or series of Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation, but taking into account differences resulting from any tax or other liabilities borne by PubCo) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company. If at any time any member of the PubCo Holdings Group issues Debt Securities, such member of the PubCo Holdings Group shall transfer to the Company (in a manner to be determined by the Managing Member in its reasonable discretion) the proceeds received by such member of the PubCo Holdings Group in exchange for such Debt Securities in a manner that directly or indirectly burdens the Company with the repayment of the Debt Securities. If any Equity Security outstanding at PubCo is exercised or otherwise converted and, as a result, any Equity Securities of PubCo are issued, (1) the corresponding Equity Security outstanding at the Company shall be similarly exercised or otherwise converted, as applicable, and an equivalent number of Equity Securities of the Company shall be issued to the PubCo Holdings Group as contemplated by the first sentence of this Section 3.1(e), and (2) the PubCo Holdings Group shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds received by the PubCo Holdings Group from any such exercise.

 

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(f) No member of the PubCo Holdings Group may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (other than from another member of the PubCo Holdings Group) (i) any Class A Shares (including upon forfeiture of any unvested Class A Shares) unless substantially simultaneously the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from the PubCo Holdings Group an equal number of Units for the same price per security or (ii) any other Equity Securities of PubCo, unless substantially simultaneously the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from the PubCo Holdings Group an equal number of Equity Securities of the Company of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation, but taking into account differences resulting from any tax or other liabilities borne by PubCo) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo for the same price per security. The Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (x) except pursuant to Section 3.6, any Units from the PubCo Holdings Group unless substantially simultaneously the PubCo Holdings Group redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires an equal number of Class A Shares for the same price per security from holders thereof, or (y) any other Equity Securities of the Company from the PubCo Holdings Group unless substantially simultaneously the PubCo Holdings Group redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of PubCo of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distribution upon liquidation, but taking into account differences resulting from any tax or other liabilities borne by PubCo) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any consideration payable by the PubCo Holdings Group in connection with the redemption or repurchase of any Equity Securities of PubCo consists (in whole or in part) of Equity Securities, then the redemption or repurchase of the corresponding Equity Securities of the Company shall be effectuated in an equivalent manner.

 

(g) The Company shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding Equity Securities of the Company unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding PubCo Shares, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible securities. Unless in connection with any action taken pursuant to Section 3.1(i), PubCo shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding PubCo Shares unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding Units, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible securities.

 

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may redeem Units from the PubCo Holdings Group for cash to fund any acquisition by the PubCo Holdings Group of another Person; provided that promptly after such redemption and acquisition the PubCo Holdings Group contributes or causes to be contributed, directly or indirectly, such Person or the assets and liabilities of such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for a number of Units equal to the number of Units so redeemed.

 

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section 3.1(e)), if the PubCo Holdings Group acquires or holds any material amount of cash in excess of any monetary obligations it reasonably anticipates (including as a result of the receipt of distributions pursuant to Section 5.2 for any period in excess of the PubCo Tax-Related Liabilities for such period), PubCo and the Managing Member may use such excess cash amount in such other manner, and make such other adjustments to or take such other actions with respect to the capitalization of PubCo, PubCo Sub and the Company and to the one-to-one exchange ratio between Units and Class A Shares, as PubCo and the Managing Member in Good Faith determine to be fair and reasonable to the shareholders of PubCo and to the Members and to preserve the intended economic effect of this Section 3.1, Section 3.6 and the other provisions hereof.

 

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Section 3.2      Voting Rights. No Member has any voting right except with respect to those matters specifically reserved for a Member vote under the Act and for matters expressly requiring the approval of Members under this Agreement. Except as otherwise required by the Act, each Unit will entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the Members. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the holders of Units having voting rights will vote together as a single class on all matters to be approved by the Members.

 

Section 3.3      Capital Contributions; Unit Ownership.

 

  (a)

Capital Contributions. Except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.1 with respect to the obligations of the PubCo Holdings Group, no Member shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions.

     
(b) Issuance of Additional Interests. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Managing Member shall have the right to authorize and cause the Company to issue on such terms (including price) as may be determined by the Managing Member (i) subject to the limitations of Section 3.1, additional Equity Securities in the Company (including creating preferred interests or other classes or series of interests having such rights, preferences and privileges as determined by the Managing Member, which rights, preferences and privileges may be senior to the Units), and (ii) obligations, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable for Equity Securities in the Company; provided that, at any time following the date hereof, in each case the Company shall not issue Equity Securities in the Company to any Person unless such Person shall have executed a counterpart to this Agreement and all other documents, agreements or instruments deemed necessary or desirable in the reasonable discretion of the Managing Member. Upon such issuance and execution, such Person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company. In that event, the Managing Member shall update the Company’s books and records to reflect such additional issuances. Subject to Section 11.1, the Managing Member is hereby authorized to amend this Agreement to set forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such additional Equity Securities in the Company, or such other amendments that the Managing Member determines to be otherwise necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of, any class or series of Equity Securities in the Company pursuant to this Section 3.3(b); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member shall have the right to amend this Agreement as set forth in this sentence without the approval of any other Person (including any Member) and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section 11.1) if such amendment is necessary, and then only to the extent necessary, in order to consummate any offering of PubCo Shares or other Equity Securities of PubCo provided that the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any such additional Equity Securities of the Company as set forth in such amendment are substantially similar to those applicable to such PubCo Shares or other Equity Securities of PubCo.

 

Section 3.4      Capital Accounts. A Capital Account shall be maintained for each Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and, to the extent consistent with such regulations, the other provisions of this Agreement. Each Member’s Capital Account shall be (a) increased by (i) allocations to such Member of Profits pursuant to Section 4.1 and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 4.2, (ii) the amount of cash or the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Company and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) contributed to the Company by such Member, and (iii) any other increases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and (b) decreased by (i) allocations to such Member of Losses pursuant to Section 4.1 and any other items of deduction or loss allocated to such Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2, (ii) the amount of any cash or the Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Member and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) distributed to such Member, and (iii) any other decreases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). If a Transfer of Units is made in accordance with this Agreement (including a deemed Transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in Section 3.6(g)), the Capital Account of the Transferor that is attributable to the Transferred Units shall carry over to the Transferee Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l).

 

Section 3.5      Other Matters.

 

  (a)

No Member shall be entitled to a return on or of its Capital Contributions or withdraw from the Company without the consent of the Managing Member.

     
(b) No Member shall receive any interest, salary, compensation, draw or reimbursement with respect to its Capital Contributions or its Capital Account, or for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or otherwise in its capacity as a Member, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.7 or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(c) The Liability of each Member shall be limited as set forth in the Act and other applicable Law and, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or required by Law, no Member (or any of its Affiliates) shall be personally liable, whether to the Company, any of the other Members, the creditors of the Company, or any other third party, for any debt or Liability of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Member of the Company.

 

(d) Except as otherwise required by the Act, a Member shall not be required to restore a deficit balance in such Member’s Capital Account, to lend any funds to the Company or, except as otherwise set forth herein, to make any additional contributions or payments to the Company.

 

(e) The Company shall not be obligated to repay any Capital Contributions of any Member.

 

Section 3.6            Redemption of Units.

 

(a) Each Member other than the PubCo Holdings Group shall be entitled from time to time to cause the Company to redeem all or a portion of such Member’s Units (such Member a “Redeeming Member”), together with an equal number of Class B Shares, in exchange for Class A Shares or, at the Company’s election under certain circumstances, cash in accordance with Section 3.6(d) (referred to herein as the “Redemption Right”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 3.6 and subject to PubCo Sub’s (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group’s) Call Right as set forth in Section 3.6(n).

 

(b) In order to exercise its Redemption Right, each Redeeming Member shall provide written notice in a reasonable form as the Company may provide from time to time (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company and PubCo Sub, on or before any Redemption Notice Date, stating that the Redeeming Member elects to have redeemed on the next Redemption Date a stated number of Units, together with an equal number Class B Shares. Upon delivery of any Redemption Notice by any Member on or before any Redemption Notice Date, such Member may not revoke or rescind such Redemption Notice after such Redemption Notice Date. If the Class A Shares are publicly traded, any Redemption Notice may be made contingent on the price of a Class A Share at the close of business on the last trading day prior to the Redemption Date (as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. or its successor) being equal to or above a price specified in the Redemption Notice. Any Redemption Notice delivered for a Redemption on a Special Redemption Date may be made contingent on the consummation of the Public Offering or other transaction described in the notice of the Managing Member specifying such Special Redemption Date. Any notice by any Member pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to demand or participate in any Public Offering shall be deemed to constitute a Redemption Notice for the related Special Redemption Date that is contingent on the consummation of such Public Offering.

 

(c) On any Redemption Date for which any Member delivered a Redemption Notice with respect to Units, unless the Company elects to pay cash in accordance with Section 3.6(d) or PubCo Sub (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) exercises its Call Right pursuant to Section 3.6(n), on such Redemption Date such number of Units, together with an equal number of Class B Shares, shall be redeemed for an equal number of Class A Shares.

 

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(d) The Company shall be entitled to elect to settle any Redemption by delivering to the Redeeming Member, in lieu of the applicable number of Class A Shares that would be received in such Redemption, an amount of cash equal to the Cash Election Amount for such shares.

 

(e) Subject to Section 3.6(f), each Member’s Redemption Right shall be subject to the following limitations and qualifications:

 

(i) Except as provided herein, Redemptions shall only be permitted on each Redemption Date.

 

(ii) Except as provided in clause (iii)(y) below and absent the prior written consent of the Managing Member (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), with respect to any Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be required to redeem at least a number of Units equal to the lesser of 0.1% of the total number of all outstanding Units and all of the Units then held by such Redeeming Member.

 

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Redeeming Member may exercise its Redemption Right (x) with respect to at least 2.0% of the total number of all outstanding Units at any time or (y) with respect to any of the then-held Units of such Member if such Redemption Right is exercised in connection with a valid exercise of such Member’s rights to have the Class A Shares issuable in connection with such Redemption to participate in a Public Offering.

 

(iv) Any Redemption of Units may be limited in accordance with the terms of any agreements or instruments entered into in connection with such issuance, as deemed necessary or desirable in the discretion of the Managing Member.

 

(f) The Managing Member may impose additional limitations and restrictions on Redemptions (including limiting Redemptions or creating priority procedures for Redemptions), solely to the extent it determines such limitations and restrictions to be necessary or appropriate to avoid undue risk that the Company may be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Furthermore, the Managing Member may require any Member or group of Members to redeem all of their Units to the extent it determines, that such Redemption is necessary or appropriate to avoid undue risk that the Company may be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Upon delivery of any notice by the Managing Member to such Member or group of Members requiring such Redemption, such Member or group of Members shall exchange, subject to exercise by PubCo Sub (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) of the Call Right pursuant to Section 3.6(n), all of their Units effective as of the date specified in such notice (and such date shall be deemed to be a Redemption Date for purposes of this Agreement) in accordance with this Section 3.6 and otherwise in accordance with the requirements set forth in such notice.

 

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(g) For U.S. federal income (and applicable state and local) tax purposes, each of the Redeeming Member, the Company and PubCo Sub (and any other member of the PubCo Holding Group), as the case may be, agree to treat each Redemption and, if PubCo Sub (or another member of the PubCo Holdings Group) exercises its Call Right, each transaction between the redeeming or selling Member and PubCo Sub (or such other member of the PubCo Holdings Group), as a sale of such Member’s Units (together, if applicable, with the same number of Class B Shares) to PubCo Sub (or such other member of the PubCo Holdings Group) in exchange for Class A Shares or cash (and any associated payments made pursuant to the Business Combination TRA or any applicable Post-Business Combination TRA), as applicable.

 

(h) Each Redemption shall be deemed to have been effected on the applicable Redemption Date. Any Member redeeming Units in accordance with this Agreement may request that the Class A Shares to be issued upon such Redemption be issued in a name other than such Member. Any Person or Persons in whose name or names any Class A Shares are issuable on any Redemption Date shall be deemed to have become, on such Redemption Date, the holder or holders of record of such shares.

 

(i) If the redeemed Units (or the Class B Shares to be transferred and surrendered) are represented by a certificate or certificates, prior to the Redemption Date, the Redeeming Member shall also present and surrender such certificate or certificates representing such Units (or Class B Shares) during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Company or at the office of the Transfer Agent. If required by the Managing Member, any certificate for Units (or Class B Shares) surrendered to the Company or Transfer Agent hereunder shall be accompanied by instruments of Transfer, in forms reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Redeeming Member or the Redeeming Member’s duly authorized representative.

 

(j) Unless a member of the PubCo Holdings Group has elected its Call Right pursuant to Section 3.6(n) with respect to any Redemption, on the relevant Redemption Date and immediately prior to such Redemption, (i) the Redeeming Member shall Transfer and surrender the redeemed Units (and a corresponding number of Class B Shares) to the Company, (ii) PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) shall contribute to the Company the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section 3.6(c) (including if the Company exercises its right to deliver the Cash Election Amount pursuant to Section 3.6(d)) and the Company shall issue to PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) a number of Units or, pursuant to Section 3.1(e), other Equity Securities of the Company as consideration for such contribution, (iii) the Company shall (A) cancel the redeemed Units and (B) Transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section 3.6(c) (including if the Company exercises its right to deliver the Cash Election Amount pursuant to Section 3.6(d)), (iv) PubCo shall cancel the surrendered Class B Shares, if applicable, and (v) if the redeemed Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for the number of Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member and the number of redeemed Units.

 

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(k) If (i) there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction pursuant to which the Class A Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination or any transaction subject to Section 3.1(f) or Section 3.1(g)), or (ii) except in connection with actions taken with respect to the capitalization of PubCo or the Company pursuant to Section 3.1(i), PubCo, by dividend or otherwise, distributes to all holders of the Class A Shares evidences of its Indebtedness or assets, including securities (including Class A Shares and any rights, options or warrants to all holders of the Class A Shares to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire Class A Shares, or other securities or rights convertible into, redeemable for or exercisable for Class A Shares) but excluding (A) any cash dividend or distribution or (B) any such distribution of Indebtedness or assets, in either case (A) or (B) received by PubCo, directly or indirectly, from the Company in respect of the Units, then upon any subsequent Redemption, in addition to the Class A Shares or the Cash Election Amount, as applicable, each Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Member would have received if such Redemption had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, other similar transaction, dividend or other distribution, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, or any dividend or distribution (other than an excluded dividend or distribution, as described above in clause (A) or (B)), this Section 3.6 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property.

 

(l) PubCo shall at all times keep available, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Redemption, out of its authorized but unissued Class A Shares, such number of Class A Shares that shall be issuable upon the Redemption of all outstanding Units (other than those Units held by any member of the PubCo Holdings Group). PubCo covenants that all Class A Shares that shall be issued upon a Redemption shall, upon issuance thereof, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Act). In addition, for so long as the Class A Shares are listed on a National Securities Exchange, PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all Class A Shares issued upon a Redemption to be listed on such National Securities Exchange at the time of such issuance.

 

(m) The issuance of Class A Shares upon a Redemption shall be made without charge to the Redeeming Member for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance, except that if any such Class A Shares are to be issued in a name other than that of the Redeeming Member, then the Person or Persons in whose names such shares are to be issued shall pay to PubCo (or such other member of the PubCo Holdings Group) the amount of any tax payable in respect of any Transfer involved in such issuance or establish to the satisfaction of PubCo that such tax has been paid or is not payable. Each of the Company and PubCo Sub (or such other member of the PubCo Holdings Group) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable or otherwise deliverable upon a Redemption (and the Redeeming Member agrees to indemnify the Company and the PubCo Holdings Group with respect to) such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under the Code or any provision of applicable Law, and to the extent deduction and withholding is required, such deduction and withholding may be taken in Class A Shares. Prior to making such deduction or withholding, the Company shall give written notice to the Redeeming Member and reasonably cooperate with such Redeeming Member to reduce or avoid any such withholding. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the relevant governmental authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Redeeming Member, and, if withholding is taken in Class A Shares, the relevant withholding party shall be treated as having sold such Class A Shares on behalf of such Redeeming Member for an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value thereof at the time of such deemed sale and paid such cash proceeds to the appropriate Governmental Entity.

 

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(n) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.6, a Redeeming Member shall be deemed to have offered to sell its Units as described in any Redemption Notice to each member of the PubCo Holdings Group, and PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) may, in its sole discretion, in accordance with this Section 3.6(n), elect to purchase directly and acquire such Units on the Redemption Date by paying to the Redeeming Member that number of Class A Shares the Redeeming Member would otherwise receive pursuant to Section 3.6(c) or, if PubCo Sub (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group ) makes a Cash Election, the Cash Election Amount for such Class A Shares (the “Call Right”), whereupon PubCo Sub (or such designated member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group) shall acquire the Units offered for redemption by the Redeeming Member and shall be treated thereafter for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units.

 

(o) If (i) the Members (other than any member of the PubCo Holdings Group) beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than ten percent (10%) of the then-outstanding Units and (ii) the Class A Shares are listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require any Member (other than any member of the PubCo Holdings Group), collectively with its Affiliates, that beneficially owns less than five percent (5%) of the then-outstanding Units to effect a Redemption of all of such Member’s Units (together with the surrender and delivery of the same number of Class B Shares); provided that a Cash Election shall not be permitted pursuant to such a Redemption under this Section 3.6(o). PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) shall deliver written notice to the Company and any such Member of its intention to exercise its Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 3.6(o) (a “Minority Member Redemption Notice”) at least 5 Business Days prior to the proposed date upon which such Redemption is to be effected (such proposed date, the “Minority Member Redemption Date”), indicating in such notice the number of Units (and corresponding Class B Shares) held by such Member that PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) intends to require to be subject to such Redemption. Any Redemption pursuant to this Section 3.6(o) shall be effective on the Minority Member Redemption Date. From and after the Minority Member Redemption Date, (x) the Units and Class B Shares subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be Transferred to PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) on the Minority Member Redemption Date and (y) such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and Class B Shares subject to such Redemption (other than the right to receive Class A Shares pursuant to such Redemption). Following delivery of a Minority Member Redemption Notice and on or prior to the Minority Member Redemption Date, the Members shall take all actions reasonably requested by PubCo Sub (or such other member(s) of the PubCo Holdings Group designated by PubCo Sub) to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to the remainder of this Section 3.6 to effect a Redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PubCo Sub will only have the right to deliver a Minority Member Redemption Notice if (x) there is an active shelf registration statement in effect with respect to all of such Member’s Units subject to Redemption pursuant to a given Minority Member Redemption Notice, and (y) the Class A Shares issuable to such Member shall not be subject to any lockup or other restrictions on transfer.

 

(p) No Redemption shall impair the right of the Redeeming Member to receive any distributions payable on the Units redeemed pursuant to such Redemption in respect of a record date that occurs prior to the Redemption Date for such Redemption. No Redeeming Member, or a Person designated by a Redeeming Member to receive Class A Shares, shall be entitled to receive, with respect to such record date, distributions or dividends both on Units redeemed by the Company from such Redeeming Member and on Class A Shares received by such Redeeming Member, or other Person so designated, if applicable, in such Redemption.

 

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(q) In connection with a PubCo Approved Change of Control, PubCo shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require each Member (other than any member of the PubCo Holdings Group) to effect a Redemption of all of such Member’s Units (together, if applicable, with the corresponding number of Class B Shares); provided, however, that if any Member owns more than 10% of the total number of outstanding Units at the time of a PubCo Approved Change of Control, PubCo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to consult and cooperate with such Member to structure such Redemption in a tax efficient manner mutually agreeable to such Member and PubCo. Any Redemption pursuant to this Section 3.6(q) shall be effective immediately prior to and conditioned upon the consummation of the PubCo Approved Change of Control (the “Change of Control Exchange Date”). From and after the Change of Control Exchange Date, (i) the Units and Class B Shares subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be transferred to PubCo on the Change of Control Exchange Date and (ii) such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and Class B Shares subject to such Redemption (other than the right to receive Class A Shares pursuant to such Redemption). PubCo shall provide written notice of an expected PubCo Approved Change of Control to all Members within the earlier of (x) 5 Business Days following the execution of the agreement with respect to such PubCo Approved Change of Control and (y) 10 Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated PubCo Approved Change of Control is to be effected, indicating in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the PubCo Approved Change of Control transaction, subject to applicable Law, including the date of execution of such agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be paid for Class A Shares in the PubCo Approved Change of Control, any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of Class A Shares, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with such PubCo Approved Change of Control, and the number of Units (and, if applicable, the corresponding Class B Shares) held by such Member that PubCo intends to require to be subject to such Redemption. Following delivery of such notice and on or prior to the Change of Control Exchange Date, the Members shall take all actions reasonably requested by PubCo (or such other member of the PubCo Holdings Group) to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to the remainder of this Section 3.6(q) to effect a Redemption. Nothing contained in this Section 3.6(q) shall limit the right of any Member to vote for or participate in any proposed Change of Control of PubCo with respect to such Member’s Units and Class B Shares or exchange all Units of such Member for Class A Shares in connection with such Change of Control.

 

Article IV

 

ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES

 

Section 4.1      Profits and Losses. After giving effect to the allocations under Section 4.2 and subject to Section 4.4, Profits and Losses (and, to the extent determined by the Managing Member to be necessary and appropriate to achieve the resulting Capital Account balances described below, any allocable items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit includable in the computation of Profits and Losses) for each Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be allocated among the Members during such Fiscal Year or other taxable period in a manner such that, after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 4.2 and all distributions through the end of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period, the Capital Account balance of each Member, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal to (i) the amount such Member would receive pursuant to Section 10.2(b) if all assets of the Company on hand at the end of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period were sold for cash equal to their Gross Asset Values, all liabilities of the Company were satisfied in cash in accordance with their terms (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Gross Asset Value of the assets securing such liability), and all remaining or resulting cash was distributed, in accordance with Section 10.2(b), to the Members immediately after making such allocation, minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets, and the amount any such Member is treated as obligated to contribute to the Company, computed immediately after the hypothetical sale of assets.

 

Section 4.2      Special Allocations. The following allocations shall be made in the following order:

 

  (a) Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Members on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member as of the last day of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period. The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall equal the excess, if any, of the net increase, if any, in the amount of Company Minimum Gain during that Fiscal Year or other taxable period over the aggregate amount of any distributions during that Fiscal Year or other taxable period of proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability that are allocable to an increase in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).
     
(b) Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Member bears the economic risk of loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt, the Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated among the Members according to the ratio in which they bear the economic risk of loss. This Section 4.2(b) is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 4.2(c)), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year or other taxable period in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during such year (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(2)). This Section 4.2(c) is intended to constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except Section 4.2(c), if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 4.2(d)), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). This Section 4.2(d) is intended to constitute a partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(e) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 4.2(a) and Section 4.2(b), no Losses or other items of loss or expense shall be allocated to any Member to the extent that such allocation would cause such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit (or increase any existing Adjusted Capital Account Deficit) at the end of such Fiscal Year or other taxable period. All Losses and other items of loss and expense in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section 4.2(e) shall be allocated to the Members who do not have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit in proportion to their relative positive Capital Accounts but only to the extent that such Losses and other items of loss and expense do not cause any such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit.

 

(f) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 4.2(c) and Section 4.2(d), if any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in paragraph (4), (5) or (6) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income, and gain for the Fiscal Year or other taxable period) shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate any Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of that Member as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 4.2(f) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article IV have been tentatively made as if this Section 4.2(f) were not in this Agreement. This Section 4.2(f) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(g) If any Member has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year or other taxable period that is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount that such Member is obligated to restore and (ii) the amount that the Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), that Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 4.2(g) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article IV have been made as if Section 4.2(f) and this Section 4.2(g) were not in this Agreement.

 

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(h) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to any Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s Interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such item of gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) if such section applies or to the Member to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

 

(i) The allocations set forth in Section 4.2(a) through Section 4.2(h) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IV (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations (and anticipated future Regulatory Allocations) shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocation of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member should be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. This Section 4.2(i) is intended to minimize to the extent possible and to the extent necessary any economic distortions which may result from application of the Regulatory Allocations and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

 

(j) Items of income, gain, loss, expense or credit resulting from a Covered Audit Adjustment shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Partnership Tax Audit Rules, as reasonably determined by the Managing Member.

 

Section 4.3            Allocations for Tax Purposes in General.

 

  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.3, each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as such item is allocated under Section 4.1 and Section 4.2.
     
(b) In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including the Treasury Regulations applying the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to changes in Gross Asset Values), items of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any Company property having a Gross Asset Value that differs from such property’s adjusted U.S. federal income tax basis shall, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members to account for any such difference using such method or methods determined by the Managing Member to be appropriate and in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations; provided, that the Managing Member will use the “traditional method with curative allocations,” with the curative allocations applied only to sale gain, under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(c) with respect to the assets owned by the Company immediately following the Business Combination.

 

(c) Any (i) recapture of depreciation or any other item of deduction shall be allocated, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1254-5, to the Members who received the benefit of such deductions to the maximum extent permissible by Law, and (ii) recapture of grants or credits shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with applicable Law.

 

(d) Tax credits of the Company shall be allocated among the Members as provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and 1.704-1(b)(4)(viii).

 

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(e) Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.3 are solely for purposes of U.S. federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect or in any way be taken into account in computing any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

 

(f) If, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

Section 4.4            Other Allocation Rules.

 

  (a) The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article IV and the economic impact of the allocations on the amounts receivable by them under this Agreement. The Members hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article IV in reporting their share of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.
     
(b) The provisions regarding the establishment and maintenance for each Member of a Capital Account as provided by Section 3.4 and the allocations set forth in Section 4.1, Section 4.2, and Section 4.3 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations and to reflect the intended economic entitlement of the Members. If the Managing Member determines that the application of the provisions in Section 3.4, Section 4.1, Section 4.2, or Section 4.3 would result in non-compliance with the Treasury Regulations or would be inconsistent with the intended economic entitlement of the Members, the Managing Member is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments to such provisions.

 

(c) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to an interest in the Company that may have been Transferred shall be allocated between the Transferor and the Transferee in accordance with a method determined by the Managing Member and permissible under Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

(d) The Members’ proportionate shares of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), shall be allocated to the Members on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member.

 

Article V

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 5.1      Distributions.

 

  (a) Distributions. To the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, and except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, distributions to Members may be declared by the Managing Member out of funds legally available therefor in such amounts and on such terms (including the payment dates of such distributions) as the Managing Member shall determine using such record date as the Managing Member may designate; any such distribution shall be made to the Members as of the close of business on such record date on a pro rata basis (provided that repurchases or redemptions made in accordance with Section 3.1(f), Section 3.6, or payments made in accordance with Section 6.2 or Section 6.7 need not be on a pro rata basis), in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member as of the close of business on such record date; provided, however, that the Managing Member shall have the obligation to make distributions as set forth in Section 5.2 and Section 10.2(b)(iii). Promptly following the designation of a record date and the declaration of a distribution pursuant to this Section 5.1, the Managing Member shall give notice to each Member of the record date, the amount and the terms of the distribution and the payment date thereof.
     
(b) Successors. For purposes of determining the amount of distributions, each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions and as having received the distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Units.

 

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(c) Distributions In-Kind. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any distributions may be made in cash or in kind, or partly in cash and partly in kind, as determined by the Managing Member. Except for repurchases or redemptions made in accordance with Section 3.1(f), Section 3.6, or payments made in accordance with Section 6.2 or Section 6.7, in the event of any distribution of (i) property in kind or (ii) both cash and property in kind, each Member shall be distributed its proportionate share of any such cash so distributed and its proportionate share of any such property so distributed in kind (based on the Fair Market Value of such property). To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property for purposes of Section 5.1(a) and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value. Any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Member’s Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 4.1 and Section 4.2.

 

Section 5.2      Tax-Related Distributions. The Company shall, subject to any restrictions contained in any agreement to which the Company is bound, make distributions out of legally available funds to all Members on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member, at such times and in such amounts as the Managing Member reasonably determines is necessary (taking into account any distributions reasonably expected to be made pursuant to Section 5.1(a), but only to the extent reasonably contemporaneously with such tax-related distribution), to enable the PubCo Holdings Group to timely satisfy any PubCo Tax-Related Liabilities.

 

Section 5.3      Distribution Upon Withdrawal. No withdrawing Member shall be entitled to receive any distribution or the value of such Member’s Interest in the Company as a result of withdrawal from the Company prior to the liquidation of the Company, except as specifically provided in this Agreement.

 

Article VI

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Section 6.1      The Managing Member; Fiduciary Duties.

 

  (a) PubCo Sub shall be the sole Managing Member of the Company. Except as otherwise required by Law, (i) the Managing Member shall have full and complete charge of all affairs of the Company, (ii) the management and control of the Company’s business activities and operations shall rest exclusively with the Managing Member, and the Managing Member shall make all decisions regarding the business, activities and operations of the Company (including the incurrence of costs and expenses) without the consent of any other Member, and (iii) the Members other than the Managing Member (in their capacity as such) shall not participate in the control, management, direction or operation of the activities or affairs of the Company and shall have no power to act for or bind the Company.
     
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, in connection with the performance of its duties as the Managing Member of the Company, the Managing Member acknowledges that it will owe to the Members the same fiduciary duties as it would owe to the stockholders of a Delaware corporation under the DGCL if it were a member of the board of directors of such a corporation and the Members were stockholders of such corporation; provided, that all Members acknowledge and agree that the Managing Member shall owe no fiduciary or other duty to any Member where this Agreement provides that the Managing Member may act or otherwise proceed in its sole discretion. The Members further acknowledge that the Managing Member will take action through the board of directors of its sole member, PubCo, and that the members of PubCo’s board of directors will owe comparable fiduciary duties to the stockholders of PubCo.

 

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Section 6.2      Indemnification; Exculpation.

 

  (a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended (provided, that no such amendment shall limit a Covered Person’s rights to indemnification hereunder with respect to any actions or events occurring prior to such amendment), any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that such person (or a person for whom such person is the legal representative or a director, officer or employee) is or was a person entitled to indemnification under the Existing LLC Agreement, or is a Member, or acting as the Managing Member or Company Representative of the Company or, while being a person entitled to indemnification under the Existing LLC Agreement, a Member, or acting as the Managing Member or Company Representative of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another limited liability company or of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (each of the persons referred to above in this Section 6.2(a) being referred to as a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action or failure of action in an official capacity as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, against all costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), liability and loss incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such Proceeding, unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such act or omission, and taking into account the acknowledgements and agreements set forth in this Agreement, such Covered Person breached the terms of this Agreement or any duties owed to the Company or the Members. The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable Law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended (provided, that no such amendment shall limit a Covered Person’s rights to indemnification hereunder with respect to any actions or events occurring prior to such amendment), pay the costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable Law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.2(a) or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Section 6.2(a) shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a member, director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2(a), except for Proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Managing Member. If this Section 6.2(a) or any portion of this Section 6.2(a) shall be invalidated on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction the Company shall nevertheless indemnify each Covered Person as to expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, including a grand jury proceeding or action or suit brought by or in the right of the Company, to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 6.2(a) that shall not have been invalidated.
     
(b) Subject to other applicable provisions of this Section 6.2, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Covered Persons shall not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, any director, any Member or any holder of any equity interest in any Subsidiary by virtue of being a Covered Person or for any acts or omissions in their capacity as a Covered Person or otherwise in connection with the Company, this Agreement or the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that such losses or liabilities were the result of conduct in which such Covered Person breached the terms of this Agreement or any duties owed to the Company or the Members.

 

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Section 6.3      Maintenance of Insurance or Other Financial Arrangements. In compliance with applicable Law, the Company (with the approval of the Managing Member) may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any Person who is or was a Member, employee or agent of the Company, or at the request of the Company is or was serving as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for any Liability asserted against such Person and Liability and expenses incurred by such Person in such Person’s capacity as such, or arising out of such Person’s status as such, whether or not the Company has the authority to indemnify such Person against such Liability and expenses.

 

Section 6.4      Resignation or Termination of Managing Member. PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) shall not, by any means, resign as, cease to be or be replaced as Managing Member except in compliance with this Section 6.4. No termination or replacement of PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) as Managing Member shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this Agreement, so that the obligations of PubCo Sub, its successor (if applicable) and any new Managing Member and the rights of all Members under this Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) as Managing Member shall be effective unless PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable), to cause (a) PubCo Sub (or its successor, as applicable) to comply with all of PubCo Sub’s or such member’s obligations under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3.6) other than those that must necessarily be taken in its capacity as Managing Member and (b) the new Managing Member to comply with all of the Managing Member’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.5      No Inconsistent Obligations. The Managing Member represents that it does not have any contracts, other agreements, duties or obligations that are inconsistent with its duties and obligations (whether or not in its capacity as Managing Member) under this Agreement and covenants that, except as permitted by Section 6.1, it will not enter into any contracts or other agreements or undertake or acquire any other duties or obligations that are inconsistent with such duties and obligations.

 

Section 6.6      Reclassification Events of PubCo. If a Reclassification Event occurs, the Managing Member or its successor, as the case may be, shall amend this Agreement in compliance with Section 11.1, and enter into supplementary or additional agreements, to ensure that, following the effective date of the Reclassification Event: (i) the Redemption Right of holders of Units set forth in Section 3.6 provide that each Unit (together with the surrender and delivery of one Class B Share) is redeemable for the same amount and same type of property, securities or cash (or combination thereof) that one Class A Share becomes exchangeable for or converted into as a result of the Reclassification Event, and (ii) PubCo or the successor to PubCo, as applicable, is obligated to deliver such property, securities or cash upon such redemption. PubCo shall not consummate or agree to consummate any Reclassification Event unless the successor Person, if any, becomes obligated to comply with the obligations of PubCo (in whatever capacity) under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.7      Certain Costs and Expenses. The Company shall (i) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company and its Subsidiaries) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company and (ii) reimburse the Managing Member for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by it in connection with serving as the Managing Member. To the extent that the Managing Member determines that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company or its Subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company or its Subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of any member of the PubCo Holdings Group), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear all expenses of the PubCo Holdings Group; provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of any member of the PubCo Holdings Group or any obligations of any member of the PubCo Holdings Group pursuant to the Business Combination TRA or any Post-Business Combination TRA. If (i) Equity Securities of PubCo are sold to underwriters in any Public Offering at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such Equity Securities of PubCo are sold to the public in such Public Offering after taking into account any Discounts and (ii) the proceeds from such Public Offering are not used to fund the Cash Election Amount for any redeemed Units but are instead contributed to the Company, the Company shall reimburse the applicable member of the PubCo Holdings Group for such Discount by treating such Discount as an additional Capital Contribution made by such member of the PubCo Holdings Group to the Company in respect of Equity Securities pursuant to Section 3.1(e), and increasing the Capital Account of such member of the PubCo Holdings Group by the amount of such Discount. Any payments made to or on behalf of any member of the PubCo Holdings Group pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall not be treated as a distribution pursuant to Section 5.1(a) but shall instead be treated as an expense of the Company. 

 

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Article VII

 

ROLE OF MEMBERS

 

Section 7.1            Rights or Powers.

 

  (a) Other than the Managing Member, the Members, acting in their capacity as Members, shall not have any right or power to take part in the management or control of the Company or its business and affairs or to act for or bind the Company in any way. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Members have all the rights and powers specifically set forth in this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in the Act. A Member, any Affiliate thereof or an employee, stockholder, agent, director or officer of a Member or any Affiliate thereof, may also be an employee or be retained as an agent of the Company. The existence of these relationships and acting in such capacities will not result in the Member (other than the Managing Member) being deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Company or otherwise affect the limited liability of the Member. Except as specifically provided herein, a Member (other than the Managing Member) shall not, in its capacity as a Member, take part in the operation, management or control of the Company’s business, transact any business in the Company’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Company.
     
(b) The Company shall promptly (but in any event within 3 Business Days) notify the Members in writing if, to the Company's knowledge, for any reason, it would be an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, but for the exceptions provided in Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereunder.

 

Section 7.2            Voting.

 

  (a)

Meetings of the Members may be called upon the written request of the Managing Member or Members holding at least 50% of the outstanding Units. Such request shall state the location of the meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting. Written notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Members not less than 2 Business Days and not more than 30 days prior to the date of such meeting. Members may vote in person, by proxy or by telephone at any meeting of the Members and may waive advance notice of such meeting. Whenever the vote or consent of Members is permitted or required under this Agreement, such vote or consent may be given at a meeting of the Members or may be given in accordance with the procedure prescribed in this Section 7.2. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of the Members holding a majority of the outstanding Units shall constitute the act of the Members.

     
(b) Each Member may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which such Member is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by such Member or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Member executing it.

 

(c) Each meeting of Members shall be conducted by the Managing Member or such individual Person as the Managing Member deems appropriate.

 

(d) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Members may be taken without a meeting if the requisite Members whose approval is necessary consent thereto in writing.

 

Section 7.3            Various Capacities. The Members acknowledge and agree that the Members or their Affiliates will from time to time act in various capacities, including as a Member and as the Company Representative.

 

Section 7.4           Investment Opportunities.

 

  (a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Member, any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Company, the Managing Member or any of their respective Subsidiaries), or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, shareholders, members, and partners (each, a “Business Opportunities Exempt Party”). The Company renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any Business Opportunities Exempt Party. No Business Opportunities Exempt Party who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company. No amendment or repeal of this Section 7.4 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Business Opportunities Exempt Party for or with respect to any opportunities of which any such Business Opportunities Exempt Party becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any Units shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 7.4. Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Section 7.4, nor the adoption of any provision of this Agreement inconsistent with this Section 7.4, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 7.4 in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Section 7.4, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

 

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Article VIII

TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS

 

Section 8.1            Restrictions on Transfer.

 

  (a) Except as provided in Section 3.6 or this Article VIII, no Member shall Transfer all or any portion of its Interest without the Managing Member’s prior written consent, which consent shall be granted or withheld in the Managing Member’s sole discretion. If all or any portion of a Member’s Interests are Transferred in violation of this Section 8.1(a), involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, then without limiting any other rights and remedies available to the other parties under this Agreement or otherwise, the Transferee of such Interest (or portion thereof) shall not be admitted to the Company as a Member or be entitled to any rights as a Member hereunder, and the Transferor will continue to be bound by all obligations hereunder. Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Interests in violation of this Section 8.1(a) shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever. The restrictions on Transfer contained in this Article VIII shall not apply to the Transfer of any capital stock of PubCo or the Managing Member; except that in no circumstance may Class B Shares be Transferred unless a corresponding number of Units are Transferred to the same Person and in no circumstance may Units may be Transferred unless a corresponding number of Class B Shares are also Transferred to the same Person.
     
(b) In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of Equity Securities in the Company by any Member be made (i) to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own Equity Securities in the Company; (ii) if the Managing Member reasonably determines such Transfer (A) would be considered to be effected on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof,” as such terms are used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1, (B) would result in the Company having more than one hundred (100) partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), or (C) would cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or a successor provision or otherwise become taxable as a corporation under the Code; (iii) if such Transfer would cause the Company to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3 (14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code); (iv) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, cause any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise cause the Company to be subject to regulation under ERISA; (v) if such Transfer requires the registration of any Equity Securities issued upon any exchange of any Equity Securities, pursuant to any applicable U.S. federal or state securities Laws; or (vi) if such Transfer subjects the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, each as amended (or any succeeding law). Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Interests in violation of this Section 8.1(b) shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions in Section 8.1(a), but subject to the other provisions in this Article VIII, EVgo Holdings and its Affiliates may Transfer all or a portion of their Equity Securities in the Company to any Permitted Transferee or their respective members or holders of Equity Securities without the consent of any other Member or Person.

 

(d) A Member making a Transfer (including a deemed Transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in Section 3.6(g)) permitted by this Agreement shall, unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member, (i) at least 10 Business Days before such Transfer, have delivered to the Company and the Transferee an affidavit of non-foreign status with respect to such Transferor that satisfies the requirements of Section 1446(f)(2) of the Code or other documentation establishing a valid exemption from withholding pursuant to Section 1446(f) of the Code or (ii) contemporaneously with such Transfer, properly withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of tax required to be withheld upon the Transfer by Section 1446(f) of the Code (and provide evidence to the Company of such withholding and remittance promptly thereafter).

 

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Section 8.2      Notice of Transfer. Other than in connection with Transfers made pursuant to Section 3.6, each Member shall, no later than 3 Business Days following any Transfer of Equity Securities in the Company, give written notice to the Company of such Transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the Transfer.

 

Section 8.3      Transferee Members. A Transferee of Equity Securities in the Company pursuant to this Article VIII shall have the right to become a Member only if (a) the requirements of this Article VIII are met, (b) such Transferee executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement and assuming all of the Transferor’s then existing and future Liabilities arising under or relating to this Agreement, (c) such Transferee represents that the Transfer was made in accordance with all applicable securities Laws and such other customary representations as determined by the Managing Member, (d) the Transferor or Transferee shall have reimbursed the Company for all reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) of any Transfer or proposed Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Interest, whether or not consummated, and (d) if such Transferee or his or her spouse is a resident of a community property jurisdiction, then such Transferee’s spouse shall also execute an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement to the extent of his or her community property or quasi-community property interest, if any, in such Member’s Interest. Unless agreed to in writing by the Managing Member, the admission of a Member shall not result in the release of the Transferor from any Liability that the Transferor may have to each remaining Member or to the Company under this Agreement or any other Contract between the Managing Member, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and such Transferor or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand. Written notice of the admission of a Member shall be sent promptly by the Company to each remaining Member.

 

Section 8.4      Legend. Each certificate representing a Unit, if any, will be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

 

THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SUCH ACT.

 

THE TRANSFER AND VOTING OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EVGO OPCO, LLC DATED AS OF July 1, 2021 AMONG THE MEMBERS LISTED THEREIN, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND NO TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES WILL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES.”

 

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Article IX

ACCOUNTING; Certain tax matters

 

Section 9.1            Books of Account. The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Company to, maintain true books and records of account in which full and correct entries shall be made of all its business transactions pursuant to a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and shall set aside on its books all such proper accruals and reserves as shall be required under GAAP.

 

Section 9.2            Tax Elections.

 

  (a) The Company and any eligible Subsidiary of the Company (i) shall make an election (or continue a previously made election) pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (and any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law) for the taxable year of the Company that includes the date hereof and shall not thereafter revoke such election and (ii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any entity in which the Company holds a direct or indirect interest that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that does not meet the definition of “Subsidiary” herein, will have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law). In addition, the Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate forms or tax returns, if permitted under the Code or applicable Law:

 

(i) to adopt the calendar year as the Company’s Fiscal Year;

 

(ii) to adopt the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

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

 

(iv) except where the Managing Member elects to apply Section 9.5(e), to make an election under Section 6226(a) of the Code, commonly known as the “push out” election, or any analogous election under state or local tax law, if applicable; and

 

(v) except as otherwise provided herein, any other election the Managing Member may in Good Faith deem appropriate .

 

(b) Upon request of the Managing Member, each Member shall cooperate in Good Faith with the Company in connection with the Company’s efforts to make any election pursuant to this Section 9.2.

 

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Section 9.3      Tax Returns; Information. The Managing Member shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all income and other tax and informational returns of the Company. The Managing Member shall furnish to each Member a copy of each approved return and statement, together with any schedules (including Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1) or other information that a Member may require in connection with such Member’s own tax affairs as soon as practicable. The Company shall also (a) provide each Member with an estimate of its share of the Company’s taxable income for each Fiscal Year by December 31 of such Fiscal Year, including an estimate of state and local apportionment information, (b) cause an estimated Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1 or any successor form to be prepared and delivered to the Members within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, including any appropriate state and local apportionment information, and (c) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Members a final Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1, including any appropriate state and local apportionment information, as soon as practicable, but in any event, at least 45 days prior the due date for such return (including any extensions). Each Member agrees to (a) take all actions reasonably requested by the Company or the Company Representative to comply with the Partnership Tax Audit Rules, including where applicable, filing amended returns as provided in Sections 6225 or 6226 of the Code and providing confirmation thereof to the Company Representative and (b) furnish to the Company (i) all reasonably requested certificates or statements relating to the tax matters of the Company (including an affidavit of non-foreign status pursuant to Section 1446(f)(2) of the Code), and (ii) all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is reasonably necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be prepared and timely filed.

 

Section 9.4      Company Representative. The Managing Member is specially authorized and appointed to act as the Company Representative and in any similar capacity under state or local Law. The Company Representative shall designate a “designated individual” in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1(b)(3). The Company and the Members (including any Member designated as the Company Representative prior to the date hereof) shall cooperate fully with each other and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Managing Member (or any other Person subsequently designated) to become the Company Representative with respect to any taxable period of the Company with respect to which the statute of limitations has not yet expired, including (as applicable) by filing certifications pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1(d). In acting as Company Representative, the Managing Member shall act, to the maximum extent possible, to cause income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit of the Company, and adjustments thereto, to be allocated or borne by the Members in the same manner as such items or adjustments would have been borne if the Company could have effectively made an election under Section 6221(b) of the Code (commonly known as the “election out”) or similar state or local provision with respect to the taxable period at issue. The Company Representative may retain, at the Company’s expense, such outside counsel, accountants and other professional consultants as it may reasonably deem necessary in the course of fulfilling its obligations as Company Representative.

 

Section 9.5      Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations.

 

  (a) Withholding Tax Payments. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries may withhold from distributions, allocations or portions thereof if it is required to do so by any applicable Law, and each Member hereby authorizes the Company and its Subsidiaries to withhold or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Member, any amount of U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. taxes that the Managing Member determines, in Good Faith, that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Member pursuant to this Agreement.
     
(b) Allocation of Tax Payments. To the extent that any tax is paid by (or withheld from amounts payable to) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Managing Member determines, in Good Faith, that such tax (including any Company Level Tax) specifically relates to one or more particular Members, such tax shall be treated as an amount of tax withheld or paid with respect to such Member pursuant to this Section 9.5. Any determinations made by the Managing Member pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall be binding on the Members.

 

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(c) Tax Contribution and Indemnity Obligation. Any amounts withheld or paid with respect to a Member pursuant to Section 9.5(a) or Section 9.5(b) (other than the payment of Company Level Taxes) shall be offset against any distributions to which such Member is entitled concurrently with such withholding or payment (a “Tax Offset”); provided that the amount of any distribution subject to a Tax Offset shall be treated as having been distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 10.2(b)(iii) at the time such Tax Offset is made. To the extent that (i) the amount of such Tax Offset exceeds the distributions to which such Member is entitled concurrently with such withholding or payment (an “Excess Tax Amount”), or (ii) there is a payment of Company Level Taxes relating to a Member, the amount of such (A) Excess Tax Amount or (B) Company Level Taxes, as applicable, shall, upon notification to such Member by the Managing Member, give rise to an obligation of such Member to make a capital contribution to the Company (a “Tax Contribution Obligation”), which Tax Contribution Obligation shall be immediately due and payable. If a Member defaults with respect to its Tax Contribution Obligation, the Company shall be entitled to offset the amount of a Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation against distributions to which such Member would otherwise be subsequently entitled until the full amount of such Tax Contribution Obligation has been contributed to the Company or has been recovered through offset against distributions and, any such offset shall be treated as distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 10.2(b), as applicable, at the time such offset is made for purposes of this Agreement. To the extent the Managing Member determines it is appropriate for purposes of properly maintaining Capital Accounts, (x) any payment by a Member with respect to such Member’s Tax Contribution Obligation shall increase such Member’s Capital Account, but shall not reduce the amount (if any) that a Member is otherwise obligated to contribute to the Company, and (y) any recovery of such Tax Reimbursement Obligation through an offset against distributions to such Member shall not reduce such Member’s Capital Account by the amount of such offset. Each Member hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a security interest in such Member’s Units to secure such Member’s obligation to pay the Company any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 9.5. Each Member shall take such actions as the Company may reasonably request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder. Each Member hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the other Members, the Company Representative and the Managing Member from and against any liability (including any liability for Company Level Taxes) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Member.

 

(d) Continued Obligations of Former Members. Any Person who ceases to be a Member shall be deemed to be a Member solely for purposes of this Section 9.5, and the obligations of a Member pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall survive until 30 days after the closing of the applicable statute of limitations on assessment with respect to the taxes withheld or paid by the Company or a Subsidiary that relate to the period during which such Person was actually a Member. If the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion that seeking indemnification for Company Level Taxes from a former Member is not practicable, or that seeking such indemnification failed, then, in either case, the Managing Member may (i) recover any liability for Company Level Taxes from the substituted Member that acquired directly or indirectly the applicable interest in the Company from such former Member or (ii) treat such liability for Company Level Taxes as a Company expense.

 

(e) Managing Member Discretion Regarding Recovery of Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member may choose not to recover an amount of Company Level Taxes or other taxes withheld or paid with respect to a Member under this Section 9.5 to the extent that there are no distributions to which such Member is entitled that may be offset by such amounts if the Managing Member determines, in its reasonable discretion, that such a decision would be in the best interests of the Members (e.g., where the cost of recovering the amount of taxes withheld or paid with respect to such Member is not justified in light of the amount that may be recovered from such Member).

 

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Article X

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION

 

Section 10.1        Liquidating Events. The Company shall dissolve and commence winding up and liquidating upon the first to occur of the following (each, a “Liquidating Event”):

 

  (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; and
     
(b) the determination of the Managing Member to dissolve, wind up, and liquidate the Company.

 

The Members hereby agree that the Company shall not dissolve prior to the occurrence of a Liquidating Event and that no Member shall seek a dissolution of the Company, under Section 18-802 of the Act or otherwise, other than based on the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (b) above. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Company has dissolved prior to the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Members hereby agree to continue the business of the Company without a winding up or liquidation. In the event of a dissolution pursuant to Section 10.1(b), the relative economic rights of each class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section 10.2 in connection with such dissolution, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties to such dissolution and subject to compliance with applicable Laws and regulations, unless, with respect to any class of Units, holders of a majority of the Units of such class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above.

 

Section 10.2        Procedure.

 

  (a) In the event of the dissolution of the Company for any reason, the Managing Member or such other Person as is designated by the Managing Member (“Winding-Up Member”) shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Company and, subject to Section 10.3(a), such Winding-Up Member shall have full right and unlimited discretion to determine in Good Faith the time, manner and terms of any sale or sales of the Property or other assets pursuant to such liquidation, having due regard to the activity and condition of the relevant market and general financial and economic conditions. The Members shall continue to share profits, losses and distributions during the period of liquidation in the same manner and proportion as though the Company had not dissolved. The Company shall engage in no further business except as may be necessary, in the reasonable discretion of the Managing Member or the Winding-Up Member, as applicable, to preserve the value of the Company’s assets during the period of dissolution and liquidation.
     
(b) Following the payment of all expenses of liquidation and the allocation of all Profits and Losses as provided in Article IV, the proceeds of the liquidation and any other funds of the Company shall be distributed in the following order of priority:

 

(i) first, to the payment and discharge of all of the Company’s debts and Liabilities to creditors (whether third parties or Members), in the order of priority as provided by Law, except any obligations to the Members in respect of their Capital Accounts;

 

(ii) second, to set up such cash reserves which the Managing Member reasonably deems necessary for contingent or unforeseen Liabilities or future payments described in Section 10.2(b)(i) (which reserves when they become unnecessary shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of subsection (iii) below); and

 

(iii) third, the balance to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the number of Units owned by each Member.

 

(c) Except as provided in Section 10.3(a), no Member shall have any right to demand or receive property other than cash upon dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

(d) Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Company and the distribution of all Company funds, the Company shall terminate and the Managing Member or the Winding-Up Member, as the case may be, shall have the authority to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of the Company, as well as any and all other documents required to effectuate the dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

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Section 10.3        Rights of Members.

 

  (a) Each Member irrevocably waives any right that it may have to maintain an action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.
     
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its Capital Contributions and (ii) no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.

 

Section 10.4      Notices of Dissolution. If a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for the provisions of Section 10.1, result in a dissolution of the Company, the Company shall, within 30 days thereafter, (a) provide written notice thereof to each of the Members and to all other parties with whom the Company regularly conducts business (as determined in the discretion of the Managing Member), and (b) comply, in a timely manner, with all filing and notice requirements under the Act or any other applicable Law.

 

Section 10.5      Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in order to minimize any losses that might otherwise result from such winding up.

 

Section 10.6      No Deficit Restoration. No Member shall be personally liable for a deficit Capital Account balance of that Member, it being expressly understood that the distribution of liquidation proceeds shall be made solely from existing Company assets.

 

Article XI

 

GENERAL

 

Section 11.1        Amendments; Waivers.

 

  (a)

The terms and provisions of this Agreement may only be waived, modified or amended (including by means of merger, consolidation or other business combination to which the Company is a party) with the approval of (y) the Managing Member and (z) if at such time the Members (other than any member of the PubCo Holdings Group) beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 10% of the then-outstanding Units, the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Units held by Members other than the PubCo Holdings Group; provided that no waiver, modification or amendment shall be effective until at least 5 Business Days after written notice is provided to the Members that the requisite consent has been obtained for such waiver, modification or amendment, and any Member, including any Member not providing written consent, shall have the right to file a Redemption Notice prior to the effectiveness of such waiver, modification or amendment; provided further, that no amendment to this Agreement may: 

 

(i) modify the limited liability of any Member, or increase the liabilities or obligations of any Member, in each case, without the consent of each such affected Member; or

 

(ii) materially alter or change any rights, preferences or privileges of any Interests in a manner that is different or prejudicial (or would have a different or prejudicial effect) relative to any other Interests, without the approval of a majority in interest of the Members holding the Interests affected in such a different or prejudicial manner

 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.1(a), the Managing Member, acting alone, may amend this Agreement or update the books and records of the Company (i) to reflect the admission of new Members, Transfers of Interests, the issuance of additional Equity Securities, as provided by the terms of this Agreement, and, subject to Section 11.1(a), subdivisions or combinations of Units made in compliance with Section 3.1(g), (ii) to the minimum extent necessary to comply with or administer in an equitable manner the Partnership Tax Audit Rules in any manner determined by the Managing Member, and (iii) as necessary to avoid the Company being classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code.

 

(c) No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall not consummate a merger, consolidation or other combination without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Units not held by the PubCo Holdings Group.

 

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Section 11.2        Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees that it will from time to time, upon the reasonable request of another party, execute such documents and instruments and take such further action as may be required to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.3        Successors and Assigns. All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns, but shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors and assigns of any Member only to the extent that they are permitted successors and assigns pursuant to the terms hereof. No party hereto may assign its rights hereunder except as herein expressly permitted.

 

Section 11.4        Certain Representations by Members. Each Member (or, if such Member is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Member’s regarded owner for such purposes), by executing this Agreement and becoming a Member, whether by making a Capital Contribution, by admission in connection with a permitted Transfer, or otherwise, represents and warrants to the Company and the Managing Member, as of the date of its admission as a Member and at all times it remains a Member, that such Member is either (a) not a partnership, grantor trust, or a Subchapter S corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., an individual or a Subchapter C corporation), or (b) is a partnership, grantor trust, or a Subchapter S corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but (i) permitting the Company to satisfy the 100-partner limitation set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) is not a principal purpose of any beneficial owner of such Member in investing in the Company through such Member, (ii) such Member was formed for business purposes prior to or in connection with the investment by such Member in the Company or for estate planning purposes, and (iii) no beneficial owner of such Member has a redemption or similar right with respect to such Member that is intended to correlate to such Member’s right to Redemption pursuant to Section 3.6.

 

Section 11.5        Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all Exhibits and Schedules hereto and all other agreements referenced therein and herein, including the Business Combination Agreement, Business Combination TRA, and the Registration Rights Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth herein and therein.

 

Section 11.6        Rights of Members Independent. The rights available to the Members under this Agreement and at Law shall be deemed to be several and not dependent on each other and each such right accordingly shall be construed as complete in itself and not by reference to any other such right. Any one or more or any combination of such rights may be exercised by a Member or the Company from time to time and no such exercise shall exhaust the rights or preclude another Member from exercising any one or more of such rights or combination thereof from time to time thereafter or simultaneously.

 

Section 11.7        Governing Law. This Agreement, the legal relations between the parties and any Action, whether contractual or non-contractual, instituted by any party with respect to matters arising under or growing out of or in connection with or in respect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed in such State and without regard to conflicts of law doctrines, except to the extent that certain matters are preempted by federal Law or are governed as a matter of controlling Law by the Law of the jurisdiction of organization of the respective parties.

 

Section 11.8       Jurisdiction and Venue. The parties hereto hereby agree and consent to be subject to the jurisdiction of any federal court of the District of Delaware or the Delaware Court of Chancery over any action, suit or proceeding (a “Legal Action”) arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. The parties hereto irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such Legal Action. Each of the parties hereto further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such Legal Action by the mailing of copies thereof by registered mail, postage prepaid, to such party at its address set forth in this Agreement, such service of process to be effective upon acknowledgment of receipt of such registered mail. Nothing in this Section 11.8 shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

Section 11.9        Headings. The descriptive headings of the Articles, Sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

Section 11.10      Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendment hereto or any other agreement (or document) delivered pursuant hereto may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts. All of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement (or other document) and shall become effective (unless otherwise provided therein) when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party.

 

Section 11.11     Notices. Any notice or other communication hereunder must be given in writing and (a) delivered in person, (b) transmitted by facsimile, by telecommunications mechanism or electronically, or (c) mailed by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, receipt requested as follows: If to the Company or the Managing Member, addressed to it at:

 

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EVGO OPCO, LLC

11835 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90064

Attention: Francine Sullivan

Email: francine.sullivan@evgo.com

 

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

EVgo Inc.

11835 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90064

Attention: Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Email: francine.sullivan@evgo.com

 

or to such other address or to such other Person as either party shall have last designated by such notice to the other parties. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by telecommunication or electronically, when transmitted to the applicable number or electronic mail address so specified in (or pursuant to) this Section 11.11 and an appropriate answerback is received or, if transmitted after 4:00 p.m. local time on a Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent or at any time on a day that is not a Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent, then on the immediately following Business Day, (ii) if given by mail, on the first Business Day in the jurisdiction to which such notice is sent following the date 3 days after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (iii) if given by any other means, on the Business Day when actually received at such address or, if not received on a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately following such actual receipt.

 

Section 11.12    Representation By Counsel; Interpretation. The parties acknowledge that each party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of Law, or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived.

 

Section 11.13     Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Entity, the remaining provisions of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by Law shall remain in full force and effect; provided that the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for all parties remain valid, binding and enforceable.

 

Section 11.14     Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 11.15     Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE MEMBERS, THE MANAGING MEMBER AND ANY INDEMNITEES SEEKING REMEDIES HEREUNDER HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Section 11.16     No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in Section 6.2 and Section 10.2(b), nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under this Agreement or otherwise create any third party beneficiary hereto.

 

[Signatures on Next Page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
 
  EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

  By: EVgo Holdings, LLC, its sole member
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
  Name: David Nanus
  Title: EVP

 

Signature Page to

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

 

 

 

  PUBCO:
   
  CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I
  ACQUISITION CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
  Name: John A. Cavalier
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
 

 

Signature Page to

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

 

 

 

  MEMBER:
 
  EVGO HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
  Name: David Nanus
  Title: EVP
 

 

Signature Page to

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

 

 

 

  MANAGING MEMBER:
   
  CRIS THUNDER MERGER LLC
   
  By: Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I
  Acquisition Corporation, its sole member
   
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
  Name: John A. Cavalier
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Member   Number of Units Owned  
CRIS Thunder Merger LLC     68,736,770  
EVgo Holdings, LLC     195,800,000  
Total     264,536,770  

 

Exhibit A to

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of

EVGO OPCO, LLC

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

NOMINATION AGREEMENT

 

This NOMINATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 1, 2021, is entered into by and between EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation f/k/a Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”), and each of the stockholders of the Company whose name appears on the signature pages hereto (each a “Principal Stockholder,” and collectively, the “Principal Stockholders”).

 

WHEREAS, on January 21, 2021, the Company, CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, EVgo Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EVgo Holdings”), EVgo HoldCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and EVgo Opco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of EVgo Holdings, entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which the parties thereto will undertake certain transactions to effect an initial business combination (the “Business Combination”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon, the consummation of the Business Combination, the Principal Stockholders and the Company have entered into this Agreement to set forth certain understandings among such parties, including with respect to certain governance matters.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1              Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this Agreement, no party to this Agreement shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of another party to this Agreement solely by reason of the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

Affiliated Investor” means, with respect to any Principal Stockholder, (i) any investment fund or holding company that is directly or indirectly managed or advised by a manager or advisor of such Principal Stockholder and (ii) any of its Affiliates or any other Person who or which is otherwise an Affiliate of any such Principal Stockholder (other than the Company and its subsidiaries).

 

Beneficial Owner” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares (a) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (b) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have correlative meanings. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, each of the Principal Stockholders is deemed to Beneficially Own the shares of Common Stock owned by it, notwithstanding the fact that such shares or other securities are subject to this Agreement.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such stock is reclassified or reconstituted.

 

Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such stock is reclassified or reconstituted.

 

Closing” means the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, collectively.

 

Control” (including the terms “Controls,” “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Initial Share Ownership” means, with respect to the Principal Stockholders, the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Principal Stockholders as of the closing of the Business Combination.

 

LS Directors” means the designees of the Principal Stockholders.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, any court, administrative agency, regulatory body, commission or other governmental authority, board, bureau or instrumentality, domestic or foreign and any subdivision thereof or other entity, and also includes any managed investment account.

 

Principal Stockholder Group” means the Principal Stockholders and any of their respective Affiliates and Affiliated Investors and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Transfer” shall mean the (a) (i) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of (ii) or agreement to dispose of or (iii) establishment or increase of a “put equivalent position” or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a “call equivalent position” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, in each case (i), (ii) and (iii), any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b)

 

Section 1.2              Rules of Construction.

 

(a)                Unless the context requires otherwise: (i) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (ii) references to Articles and Sections refer to articles and sections of this Agreement; (iii) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iv) the terms “hereof,” “hereto,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (v) unless the context otherwise requires, the term “or” is not exclusive and shall have the inclusive meaning of “and/or”; (vi) defined terms herein will apply equally to both the singular and plural forms and derivative forms of defined terms will have correlative meanings; (vii) references to any law or statute shall include all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and references to any law or statute shall be construed as including any legal and statutory provisions consolidating, amending, succeeding or replacing the applicable law or statute; (viii) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns; and (ix) references to “days” are to calendar days unless otherwise indicated.

 

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(b)                The headings in this Agreement are for convenience and identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof.

 

(c)                This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction against the party that drafted or caused this Agreement to be drafted.

 

Article II
VOTING AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

Section 2.1              Designees.

 

(a)                Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Board shall initially consist of nine directors, including Cathy Zoi, Elizabeth Comstock, Rodney Slater, Patricia K. Collawn, David Nanus, Joseph Esteves, Darpan Kapadia, John King and Kate Brandt (the “Initial Directors”). The audit committee of the Board shall initially consist of three directors, including Patricia K. Collawn, Rodney Slater and Elizabeth Comstock. Of the Initial Directors, David Nanus, Joseph Esteves, Darpan Kapadia, John King and Kate Brandt are each deemed to be LS Directors. The Board will be divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. Class I, Class II and Class III directors will serve until the Company’s annual meetings of shareholders in 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Elizabeth Comstock, Joseph Esteves and John King will be assigned to Class I, Darpan Kapadia, Rodney Slater and Kate Brandt will be assigned to Class II, and Cathy Zoi, David Nanus and Patricia K. Collawn will be assigned to Class III. From and after the closing of the Business Combination, the rights of the Principal Stockholders to designate directors to the Board and its committees shall be as set forth in the remainder of this Section 2.1. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the Board shall include the applicable LS Directors referred to in this paragraph (a), and such other individuals as shall be nominated and elected to the Board from time to time by the Board or the Company’s stockholders consistent herewith and with applicable law.

 

(b)                (i)          For so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing at least 50% of its Initial Share Ownership, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to nominate for election at each annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Principal Stockholders that, if elected, would result in five (5) LS Directors serving on the Board. For so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 50% of its Initial Share Ownership but at least 40% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to nominate for election at each annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Principal Stockholders that, if elected, would result in four (4) LS Directors serving on the Board. For so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 40% of its Initial Share Ownership but at least 30% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to nominate for election at each annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Principal Stockholders that, if elected, would result in three (3) LS Directors serving on the Board. For so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 30% of its Initial Share Ownership but at least 15% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to nominate for election at each annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Principal Stockholders that, if elected, would result in two (2) LS Directors serving on the Board. For so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing less than 15% of its Initial Share Ownership but at least 2.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to nominate for election at each annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Principal Stockholders that, if elected, would result in one (1) LS Director serving on the Board.

 

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(ii)               Subject to applicable laws and stock exchange regulations, for so long as the Principal Stockholder Group Beneficially Owns a number of shares of Common Stock representing at least 10% of its Initial Share Ownership, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to appoint one (1) LS Director to serve on each committee of the Board.

 

(iii)              Following the closing of the Business Combination and for so long as the Principal Stockholder Group is entitled to designate any Person to the Board pursuant to Section 2.1, the Company will take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to appoint one (1) LS Director to serve as Chair of the Board.

 

(c)                In the event that the Principal Stockholders have nominated fewer than the total number of designees that the Principal Stockholders shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to Section 2.1(b), then the Principal Stockholders shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to nominate such additional designee(s) to which it is entitled, in which case, the Company shall take all necessary corporate action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to (x) increase the size of the Board as required to enable such Principal Stockholders to so nominate such additional designee(s), and (y) designate such additional designees nominated by the Principal Stockholders to fill such newly created vacancy or vacancies, as applicable.

 

(d)                Following the closing of the Business Combination and for so long as the Principal Stockholder Group is entitled to designate any Person to the Board pursuant to Section 2.1, the Board shall consist of nine members (other than as contemplated by Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.1(e) or to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law or listing standards).

 

(e)                The Principal Stockholders may cause any LS Director to resign from time to time and at any time upon notice to the Company.

 

(f)                 In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board by the death, disability, resignation or removal of a LS Director, the Principal Stockholders shall be entitled to designate an individual to fill the vacancy so long as the total number of LS Directors serving on the Board immediately following the filling of such vacancy will not exceed the total number of persons the Principal Stockholders are entitled to designate pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) on the date of such replacement designation. The Company shall take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause such replacement designee to become a member of the Board as soon as reasonably possible.

 

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(g)                The Company agrees to take all necessary action (to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law) to cause the Board to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors the Persons designated pursuant to this Section 2.1 (to the extent that directors of such nominee’s class are to be elected at such meeting for so long as the Board is classified) and to nominate and recommend each such individual to be elected as a director as provided herein, and to solicit proxies or consents in favor thereof. The Company is entitled to identify such individual as a LS Director pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2              [Reserved].

 

Section 2.3              Lock-Up. Each Principal Stockholder agrees that, following the Closing, it, he or she, severally and not jointly, shall not Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of any common units of EVgo Opco, LLC held by such Principal Stockholder equal to the number set forth opposite such Principal Stockholder’s name on Exhibit A under the heading “Lock-Up Shares” (the “Lock-Up Shares”) until the earlier of (i) 180 days after the Closing, and (ii) subsequent to the Closing, the date the VWAP (as defined below) of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for any 20 Trading Days (as defined below) within any 30-Trading Day period or (y) the date following the Closing on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction with a third party that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “VWAP” of the Class A Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price of the Class A Common Stock as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service reasonably chosen by the Company) page https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/CLII:US (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of the Class A Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized investment banking firm (unaffiliated with the Company) retained for this purpose by the Company) and (ii) “Trading Day” shall mean a day during which trading in the Class A Common Stock generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchanges on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If the Class A Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, Trading Day means a Business Day.

 

Article III
INFORMATION

 

Section 3.1              Access. Each LS Director is permitted to disclose to the Principal Stockholder Group information about the Company and its Affiliates that he or she receives as a result of being a Director.

 

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Article IV
EFFECTIVENESS AND TERMINATION

 

Section 4.1              Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the closing of the Business Combination. To the extent the closing of the Business Combination does not occur, the provisions of this Agreement shall be without any force or effect.

 

Section 4.2              Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the delivery of written notice to the Company by the Principal Stockholders. Further, at such time as the Principal Stockholder Group no longer Beneficially Owns at least 2.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time, all rights and obligations of the Principal Stockholder Group under this Agreement shall terminate.

 

Article V
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.1              Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, mailed by registered or certified mail or be sent by facsimile or electronic mail to such party at the address set forth below (or such other address as shall be specified by like notice). Notices will be deemed to have been duly given hereunder if (i) personally delivered, when received, (ii) sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, one business day after deposit with the nationally recognized overnight courier, (iii) mailed by registered or certified mail, five business days after the date on which it is so mailed, and (iv) sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date sent so long as such communication is transmitted before 5:00 p.m. in the time zone of the receiving party on a business day, otherwise, on the next business day.

 

(a)           If to the Company, to:

 

EVgo Inc.
11835 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90064
Attention: Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel
Email: francine.sullivan@evgo.com

 

(b)          If to the Principal Stockholders, to:

 

EVgo Holdings, LLC
c/o LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC
1700 Broadway, 35th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: General Counsel
Email: jstaikos@lspower.com

 

Section 5.2              Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 5.3              Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or portable document format (pdf) transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

Section 5.4              Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) except as provided in Section 3.2 with respect to any individual associated with the Principal Stockholder Group, is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

Section 5.5              Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the other parties hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated herein. The Company shall not directly or indirectly take any action that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, any Principal Stockholder Group entity being deprived of the rights contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 5.6              Governing Law; Equitable Remedies. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF). The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any of the Selected Courts (as defined below), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with respect to such remedy are hereby waived by each of the parties hereto. Each party hereto further agrees that, in the event of any action for an injunction or other equitable remedy in respect of such breach or enforcement of specific performance, it will not assert the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

Section 5.7              Consent To Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceeding (“Proceeding”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts therefrom (the “Selected Courts”) and waives any objection to venue being laid in the Selected Courts whether based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or otherwise and hereby agrees not to commence any such Proceeding other than before one of the Selected Courts; provided, however, that a party may commence any Proceeding in a court other than a Selected Court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the Selected Courts; (b) consents to service of process in any Proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by recognized international express carrier or delivery service, to their respective addresses referred to in Section 5.1 hereof; provided, however, that nothing herein shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law; and (c) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, WAIVES, AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND AGREES THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED-FOR AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND TO HAVE ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

 

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Section 5.8              Amendments; Waivers.

 

(a)                No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed (i) in the case of an amendment, by each of the parties hereto and the consent of a majority of the Directors that are not LS Directors, and (ii) in the case of a waiver, by each of the parties against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(b)                No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

Section 5.9              Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided, however, that any Principal Stockholder may assign any of its respective rights hereunder to any of its Affiliated Investors. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 5.10           No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto, and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  EVgo Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Cathy Zoi
    Name:   Cathy Zoi
    Title:     Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Nomination Agreement]

 

 

 

  PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS:
   
  EVgo Holdings, LLC
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
    Name:   David Nanus
    Title:     EVP

 

[Signature Page to Nomination Agreement]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Principal
Stockholder
  Address   Total Shares     Lock-Up
Shares
 
EVgo Holdings, LLC  

EVgo Holdings, LLC

c/o LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC

1700 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: General Counsel

Email: jstaikos@lspower.com

    195,800,000       195,800,000  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation,

 

CRIS THUNDER MERGER LLC,

 

CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS NAMED HEREIN,

 

and

 

Agent

  

DATED AS OF July 1, 2021

 

 

 

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

 

This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 1, 2021, is hereby entered into by and among Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), CRIS Thunder Merger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporate Taxpayer (“Corporate Taxpayer Sub”), the TRA Holders and the Agent.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Corporate Taxpayer Sub is the managing member of EVGO OPCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (“OpCo LLC”), and holds, directly or indirectly, limited liability company interests in OpCo LLC;

 

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the transactions contemplated by the BCA, EVgo Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EVgo Holdings”), is the sole owner of OpCo LLC, and pursuant to the Business Combination, EVgo Holdings has agreed to directly or indirectly contribute all of its assets (other than the Units of OpCo LLC) to OpCo LLC in exchange for all of the Units therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the BCA, and as more fully described therein, (i) the Corporate Taxpayer has agreed to contribute to Corporate Taxpayer Sub all of its assets, including but not limited to all of its Available Cash (as defined in the BCA) and Class B Shares, (ii) immediately thereafter, Corporate Taxpayer Sub has agreed to transfer to EVgo Holdings such Class B Shares and the right to enter into this Agreement (the “BCA Transactions”), and (iii) immediately thereafter, Corporate Taxpayer Sub has agreed to contribute all of its remaining assets to OpCo LLC in exchange for Units therein;

 

WHEREAS, OpCo LLC and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for each Taxable Year in which a Redemption occurs, which election is expected to result, with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer Group, in an adjustment to the Tax basis of the assets owned by OpCo LLC and such Subsidiaries;

 

WHEREAS, in addition to any Redemption pursuant to the BCA Transactions, the TRA Holders currently hold (and their permitted transferees may hold) or will hold Units and may transfer all or a portion of such Units in one or more subsequent Redemptions (as defined herein), and, as a result of such Redemptions, the Corporate Taxpayer Group is expected to obtain or be entitled to certain Tax benefits as further described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to set forth the agreement among the parties hereto regarding the sharing of the Tax benefits realized by the Corporate Taxpayer Group as a result of the Redemptions;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1           Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings.

 

Accrued Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

 

Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the actual liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer Group, and (ii) without duplication, OpCo LLC, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo LLC and allocable to any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group; provided that the actual liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall be calculated assuming deductions of (and other impacts of) state and local income and franchise Taxes are excluded.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.

 

Agent” means:

 

(i) for so long as LS Power or any of its Affiliates is a TRA Holder, and for so long as it is willing to serve in such capacity, Sponsor Agent, and

 

(ii) at any time clause (i) is not applicable, such other Person designated as such pursuant to Section 7.6(b).

 

Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.

 

Assumed State and Local Tax Rate” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, (i) the sum of the following amounts for each state and local jurisdiction in which OpCo LLC (or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that are treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) or the Corporate Taxpayer Group files an income or franchise Tax Return for the relevant Taxable Year: (A) the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s income and franchise Tax apportionment factor(s) for such applicable state or local jurisdiction, multiplied by (B) the highest corporate income and franchise Tax rate(s) for such state or local jurisdiction, reduced by (ii) the product of (A) the highest marginal U.S. federal income Tax rate applicable to the Corporate Taxpayer Group for the relevant Taxable Year (determined based on the calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability for the relevant Taxable Year) and (B) the aggregate rate calculated under clause (i).

 

Attributable” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

 

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Basis Adjustment” means any adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset as a result of a Redemption and the payments made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Redemption (as calculated under Section 2.1 of this Agreement), including, but not limited to: (i) under Section 1012 of the Code in connection with the BCA Transactions, (ii) under Section 743(b) of the Code (in situations where, following a Redemption, OpCo LLC remains classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes); and (iii) under Sections 732(b) and 1012 of the Code (in situations where, as a result of one or more Redemptions, OpCo LLC becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from a Redemption of Units shall be determined without regard to any Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to such Units prior to such Redemption, and, further, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.

 

BCA” means that certain Business Combination Agreement by and among the Corporate Taxpayer, Corporate Taxpayer Sub, OpCo LLC and the other parties thereto dated as of January 21, 2021.

 

BCA Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Board” means the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

Business Combination” means the business combination between the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo LLC effected pursuant to the BCA.

 

Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

Call Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(n) of the OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events or series of events after the closing of the Business Combination:

 

(i) any Person (excluding a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporate Taxpayer and excluding EVgo Holdings and its Affiliates) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(ii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporate Taxpayer with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

 

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(iii) the stockholders of the Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporate Taxpayer or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such sale.

 

Class A Shares” means shares of Class A common stock of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

Class B Shares” means shares of Class B common stock of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

Code” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Corporate Taxpayer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Corporate Taxpayer Group” means (a) the Corporate Taxpayer and any Subsidiary of the Corporate Taxpayer, other than OpCo LLC and any Subsidiary of OpCo LLC, whether or not the Corporate Taxpayer and such Subsidiary are members of any affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local Tax law, and (b) where required by context, any member of such group.

 

Corporate Taxpayer Returns” means the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of all members of the Corporate Taxpayer Group (including the U.S. federal income Tax Returns of any consolidated group of which any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group is or becomes a member, as further described in Section 7.12(a) of this Agreement) filed with respect to any Taxable Year.

 

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount (but not less than zero) of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Payment Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.

 

Default Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 550 basis points.

 

Determination” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

 

Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a) of this Agreement.

 

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Early Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

 

Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice, or the date on which the Early Termination Notice is deemed to have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 4.3, for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

 

Early Termination Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b) of this Agreement.

 

Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

EVgo Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Expert” means a nationally recognized expert in the particular area of disagreement that is mutually acceptable to the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the Agent.

 

Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer Group, and (ii) without duplication, OpCo LLC, but in the case of clause (ii), only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo LLC and allocable to any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group (using the same methods, elections, conventions, U.S. federal income Tax rate and similar practices used on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return), but, in each case, without taking into account (A) any Basis Adjustments, (B) any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the Taxable Year, and (C) any Post-Business Combination TRA Benefits. For the avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any U.S. federal income Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to any Basis Adjustments, Imputed Interest, or any Post-Business Combination TRA Benefits. Furthermore, the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be calculated assuming deductions of (and other impacts of) state and local income and franchise Taxes are excluded.

 

Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code, and the principles of any similar provisions of state or local law, with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s payment obligations under this Agreement.

 

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

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LIBOR” means during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR rate reported, on the date two (2) calendar days prior to the first day of such period, on the Telerate Page 3750 (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported on Reuters Screen page “LIBOR01” or by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for United States dollar deposits for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence: (i) if the Corporate Taxpayer reasonably determines, in good faith consultation with the Agent, on or prior to the relevant date of determination that the relevant London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollar deposits has been discontinued or such rate has ceased to be published permanently or indefinitely, then “LIBOR” for the relevant interest period shall be deemed to refer to a substitute or successor rate that the Corporate Taxpayer reasonably determines, in good faith consultation with the Agent, after consulting an investment bank of national standing in the United States and other reasonable sources, to be (a) the industry-accepted successor rate to the relevant London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollar deposits or (b) if no such industry-accepted successor rate exists, the most comparable substitute or successor rate to the relevant London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollar deposits; and (ii) if the Corporate Taxpayer has determined a substitute or successor rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably determine, in good faith consultation with the Agent, after consulting an investment bank of national standing in the United States and other reasonable sources, any relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor rate, including any adjustment factor it reasonably determines, in good faith consultation with the Agent, is needed to make such substitute or successor rate comparable to the relevant London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollar deposits, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor rate. In the event that the Agent disagrees with any determination by the Corporate Taxpayer set forth in this paragraph, and such disagreement is not resolved within thirty (30) days of submission by the Agent of notice of such disagreement to the Corporate Taxpayer, such disagreement shall be deemed a “Reconciliation Dispute,” and shall be subject to the Reconciliation Procedures set forth in Section 7.10 hereof.

 

LS Power” means LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC.

 

Majority TRA Holders” means, at the time of any determination, TRA Holders who would be entitled to receive more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all TRA Holders hereunder (determined using such calculations of Early Termination Payments reasonably estimated by the Corporate Taxpayer Group) if the Corporate Taxpayer Group had exercised its right of Early Termination on such date.

 

Market Value” means the closing price of the Class A Shares on the applicable Redemption Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by Bloomberg L.P.; provided, that if the closing price is not reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the applicable Redemption Date, then the Market Value means the closing price of the Class A Shares on the Business Day immediately preceding such Redemption Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by Bloomberg L.P.; provided, further that if the Class A Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, “Market Value” means the cash consideration paid for Class A Shares, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Class A Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith.

 

Material Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

Net Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

 

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

OpCo LLC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

OpCo LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of OpCo LLC dated July 1, 2021, as amended from time to time.

 

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Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

 

Post-Business Combination TRA” means any tax receivable agreement (or comparable agreement) entered into by any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group pursuant to which any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group is obligated to pay over amounts with respect to Tax benefits resulting from any increases in Tax basis, net operating losses or other Tax attributes to which any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group becomes entitled as a result of a transaction (other than any Redemption) after the date of this Agreement.

 

Post-Business Combination TRA Benefits” means any Tax benefits resulting from increases in Tax basis, net operating losses or other Tax attributes with respect to which any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group is obligated to make payments under a Post-Business Combination TRA.

 

Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability and (ii) the State and Local Tax Benefit. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination with respect to such Actual Tax Liability.

 

Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability and (ii) the State and Local Tax Detriment. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination with respect to such Actual Tax Liability.

 

Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10 of this Agreement.

 

Reconciliation Procedures” means the procedures described in Section 7.10 of this Agreement.

 

Redemption” means any transfer (or deemed transfer or other transaction affecting adjusted Tax basis for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) in respect of any Units or Reference Assets resulting from (i) any of the BCA Transactions or (ii) a transfer by a TRA Holder, or by a permitted transferee of such TRA Holder (pursuant to the OpCo LLC Agreement), to OpCo LLC or to the Corporate Taxpayer Group pursuant to the Redemption Right or the Call Right, as applicable.

 

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Redemption Date” means each date on which a Redemption occurs.

 

Redemption Notice” has the meaning given to the term “Redemption Notice” in the OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

Redemption Right” means the redemption right of holders of Units set forth in Section 3.6(a) of the OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

Reference Asset” means, with respect to any Redemption, an asset (other than cash or a cash equivalent) that is held or acquired by OpCo LLC (or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, but only to the extent such subsidiaries are not held through any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) at the time of such Redemption. A Reference Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.

 

Resolution of Disputes Procedures” means the procedures described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.

 

Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Tax Attribute Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Payment Schedule, (iii) the Early Termination Schedule or (iv) an Amended Schedule.

 

Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

Sponsor Agent” means LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC or such other Person designated as such by LS Power.

 

State and Local Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability; provided that, for purposes of determining the State and Local Tax Benefit, each of the Hypothetical Tax Liability and the Actual Tax Liability shall be calculated using the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate instead of the rate applicable for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

State and Local Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability; provided that, for purposes of determining the State and Local Tax Detriment, each of the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be calculated using the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate instead of the rate applicable for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.

 

Tax Attribute Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

 

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Tax Benefit Payment Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

Tax Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Tax Receivable Agreements” means this Agreement and any Post-Business Combination TRA.

 

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.

 

Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer Group as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code (which, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than twelve (12) months for which a Tax Return is made), ending on or after the date of the Business Combination.

 

Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state and local taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, including franchise taxes, and any interest, penalties or additions thereto.

 

Taxing Authority” means the IRS and any federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.

 

TRA Holder” means each of those Persons set forth on Schedule A and their respective successors and permitted assigns pursuant to Section 7.6(a).

 

Transferor” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(b) of this Agreement.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant Taxable Year.

 

Units” has the meaning set forth in the OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

Valuation Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that:

 

(i)                 in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporate Taxpayer Group will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deductions arising from all Basis Adjustments (assuming, to the extent applicable, in calculating such deductions that the election under Section 168(k)(7) of the Code is made with respect to any actual or deemed Basis Adjustment arising from a Redemption made in the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Date or deemed to be made on the Early Termination Date pursuant to clause (v) of this definition), and Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions, further assuming such future Tax Benefit Payments would be paid on the due date, without extensions, for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return for the applicable Taxable Year) in which such deductions would become available;

 

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(ii)              any loss or credit carryovers generated by deductions or losses arising from any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (including such Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest generated as a result of payments under this Agreement) that are available in the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Date will be utilized by the Corporate Taxpayer Group ratably in each Taxable Year over the five Taxable Years beginning with the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Date (provided that, in any year that the Corporate Taxpayer Group is prevented from fully utilizing net operating losses pursuant to Section 382 of the Code, or any successor provision, the amount utilized for purposes of this provision shall not exceed the amount that would otherwise be utilizable under Section 382 of the Code, or any successor provision);

 

(iii)            the U.S. federal, state and local income and franchise Tax rates that will be in effect for each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date except to the extent any change to such Tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into law;

 

(iv)             any Reference Asset that is not subject to amortization, depreciation or other cost recovery deduction to which any Basis Adjustment is attributable will be disposed of in a fully taxable transaction for U.S. federal income Tax purposes on the fifth anniversary of the Early Termination Date for an amount sufficient to fully utilize the Basis Adjustment with respect to such Reference Asset; provided, that in the event of a Change of Control which includes a taxable sale of such Reference Asset (including the sale of all of the equity interests in an entity classified as a partnership or disregarded entity that directly or indirectly owns such Reference Asset), such Reference Asset shall be deemed disposed of at the time of the Change of Control; and

 

(v)               if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Units that have not been transferred in a Redemption, then all Units shall be deemed to be transferred pursuant to the Redemption Right effective on the Early Termination Date.

 

Section 1.2           Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively.

 

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ARTICLE II
DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

 

Section 2.1           Tax Attribute Schedules. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return for each Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each Agent a schedule (the “Tax Attribute Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, including with respect to each applicable TRA Holder, (i) the Basis Adjustments with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of the Redemptions effected by or attributable to such TRA Holder in such Taxable Year and (ii) the period (or periods) over which such Basis Adjustments are amortizable and/or depreciable.

 

Section 2.2           Tax Benefit Payment Schedules.

 

(a)              Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of a Corporate Taxpayer Return for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, a member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall deliver to each Agent: (i) a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, (A) the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment with respect to such Corporate Taxpayer Return for such Taxable Year, (B) the portion of the Net Tax Benefit, if any, that is Attributable to each TRA Holder, (C) the Accrued Amount with respect to any such Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such TRA Holder, (D) the Tax Benefit Payment due to each such TRA Holder, and (E) the portion of such Tax Benefit Payment that the Corporate Taxpayer Group intends to treat as Imputed Interest (a “Tax Benefit Payment Schedule”), (ii) a reasonably detailed calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability, (iii) a reasonably detailed calculation of the Actual Tax Liability, (iv) a copy of such Corporate Taxpayer Return for such Taxable Year, and (v) any other work papers reasonably requested by any Agent. In addition, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall allow each Agent reasonable access at no cost to its appropriate representatives in connection with a review of such Tax Benefit Payment Schedule. The Tax Benefit Payment Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.3(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.3(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(b)).

 

(b)              For purposes of calculating the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for any Taxable Year, carryovers or carrybacks of any U.S. federal income Tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustments, Imputed Interest or any Post-Business Combination TRA Benefits shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any U.S. federal income Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest or any Post-Business Combination TRA Benefits and another portion that is not so attributable, such respective portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. The parties agree that (i) any payment under this Agreement attributable to Basis Adjustments (to the extent permitted by law and other than amounts accounted for as Imputed Interest) will be treated as a subsequent upward adjustment to the purchase price of the relevant Units and will have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer Group in the year of payment, and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate.

 

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Section 2.3           Procedure; Amendments.

 

(a)              An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which all Agents have received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless (i) any Agent, within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving an applicable Schedule or amendment thereto, provides the Corporate Taxpayer and each other Agent with notice of a material objection to such Schedule (“Objection Notice”) made in good faith or (ii) each Agent provides a written waiver of such right of any Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date waivers from all Agents have been received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the Agents, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in an Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of such Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the Agents shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures under Section 7.10 or Resolution of Disputes Procedures under Section 7.9, as applicable.

 

(b)              The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to the Agents, (iii) to comply with the Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Corporate Taxpayer Return filed for such Taxable Year or (vi) to adjust a Tax Attribute Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide an Amended Schedule to each Agent within sixty (60) calendar days of the occurrence of an event referenced in clauses (i) through (v) of the preceding sentence and an Amended Schedule referenced in clause (vi) of the preceding sentence to each Agent in connection with the due date for delivery of the Tax Attribute Schedule for the following year. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event a Schedule is amended after such Schedule becomes final pursuant to Section 2.3(a), the Amended Schedule shall not be taken into account in calculating any Tax Benefit Payment in the Taxable Year to which the amendment relates but instead shall be taken into account in calculating the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs.

 

Section 2.4           Section 754 Election. The Corporate Taxpayer shall cause OpCo LLC to (i) ensure that, on and after the date hereof and continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, OpCo LLC and any of its eligible Subsidiaries will have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law) and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that, on and after the date hereof and continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, any entity in which OpCo LLC holds a direct or indirect interest that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes that does not meet the definition of “Subsidiary” herein, will have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law).

 

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ARTICLE III
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

 

Section 3.1           Payments.

 

(a)              Within five (5) Business Days after a Tax Benefit Payment Schedule delivered to the Agents becomes final in accordance with Section 2.3(a), the applicable member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall pay to each TRA Holder the Tax Benefit Payment in respect of such TRA Holder determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) for such Taxable Year. Each such payment shall be made by check, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by the TRA Holder to the applicable member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, or as otherwise agreed by such member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the TRA Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated Tax payments, including, U.S. federal or state estimated income Tax payments.

 

(b)              A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a TRA Holder for a Taxable Year means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the portion of the Net Tax Benefit Attributable to such TRA Holder and the Accrued Amount with respect thereto. The “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year over the sum of (i) the total amount of payments previously made under this Section 3.1 (excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts) and (ii) the total amount of Tax Benefit Payments previously made under the corresponding provision of any Post-Business Combination TRA; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that no TRA Holder shall be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. Subject to Section 3.3, the portion of the Net Tax Benefit for a Taxable Year that is “Attributable” to a TRA Holder is the portion of such Net Tax Benefit that is derived from (i) any Basis Adjustment that was attributable, at the time of the relevant Redemption (determined without regard to any dilutive or antidilutive effect of any contribution to or distribution from OpCo after the date of an applicable Redemption), to the Units acquired or deemed acquired by a member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group in a Redemption undertaken by or with respect to such TRA Holder or (ii) any Imputed Interest with respect to Tax Benefit Payments made to such TRA Holder. The “Accrued Amount” with respect to any portion of a Net Tax Benefit shall equal an amount determined in the same manner as interest on such portion of the Net Tax Benefit for a Taxable Year calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return for such Taxable Year until the Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes, the Accrued Amount shall not be treated as interest but shall instead be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of Units in a Redemption, unless otherwise required by law.

 

(c)              Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, unless a TRA Holder elects for the provisions of this Section 3.1(c) not to apply to any Redemption, by notifying the Corporate Taxpayer Group in writing on or before the due date for providing the Redemption Notice with respect to such Redemption, the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments to be made to such TRA Holder, with respect to the related Redemption shall be limited to (i) 50%, or such other percentage such TRA Holder elects to apply by notifying the Corporate Taxpayer Group in writing on or before the due date for providing the Redemption Notice with respect to such Redemption, of (ii) the amount equal to the sum of (A) any cash, excluding any Tax Benefit Payments, received by such TRA Holder in such Redemption and (B) the aggregate Market Value of the Class A Shares received by such TRA Holder in such Redemption, provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that such amount shall not include any Imputed Interest with respect to such Redemption. An election made by a TRA Holder pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) may not be revoked.

 

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Section 3.2           No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under the Tax Receivable Agreements. It is also intended that the provisions of the Tax Receivable Agreements will result in 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, and the Accrued Amount thereon, being paid to the Persons to whom payments are due pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to achieve these fundamental results.

 

Section 3.3           Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits with Other Tax Receivable Agreements.

 

(a)              Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate amount of the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s Tax benefit subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporate Taxpayer Group does not have sufficient taxable income in such Taxable Year to fully utilize available deductions and other attributes:

 

(i)     the limitation on the Tax benefit for the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall first be allocated among the Tax Receivable Agreements as follows: (A) first among any Post-Business Combination TRAs (and then among all Persons eligible for payments thereunder in the manner set forth in such Post-Business Combination TRAs) and (B) then, to the extent of any remaining limitation on the Tax benefit for the Corporate Taxpayer Group after the application of clause (A), to this Agreement (and then among all TRA Holders as set forth in Section 3.3(a)(ii) below) (for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section 3.3(a)(i), it is intended that in calculating the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s Tax benefit subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements, any available taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer Group be first allocated to this Agreement and any remaining available taxable income will then be allocated to any Post-Business Combination TRA); and

 

(ii)  if any part of the limitation on the Tax benefit is allocated to this Agreement, such allocated limitation shall be further allocated among all TRA Holders in proportion to the respective portion of the Net Tax Benefit that would have been Attributable to each such TRA Holder in such Taxable Year under this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer Group had sufficient taxable income in such Taxable Year so that there was no such limitation; provided that if any portion of the Net Tax Benefit for such Taxable Year results from the carryback of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year from a later Taxable Year (for the avoidance of doubt, carrybacks of losses and other Tax items from more than one later Taxable Year shall be used in the order prescribed in the applicable rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations), no part of the limitation shall be allocated to the Tax benefits set forth on the Schedule prior to its amendment to reflect the carryback and any limitation shall instead be applied to the Tax benefits carried back and such limitation shall be further allocated among all TRA Holders in proportion to the respective portion of the Net Tax Benefit that would have been Attributable to each such TRA Holder in the Taxable Year in which such carried back losses or other Tax items arose under this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer Group had sufficient taxable income in such Taxable Year so that there was no such limitation.

 

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(b)              After taking into account Section 3.3(a), if for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer Group does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreements in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then (i) the Corporate Taxpayer Group will pay the same proportion of each Tax Benefit Payment due to each Person to whom a payment is due under this Agreement (provided that, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full), and (ii) after fulfilling the obligations set forth in clause (i) of this Section 3.3(b), the Corporate Taxpayer Group will then pay all amounts due under any Post-Business Combination TRA in respect of such Taxable Year (provided that, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full).

 

(c)              To the extent the Corporate Taxpayer Group makes a payment to a TRA Holder in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement (taking into account Section 3.3(a) and Section 3.3(b), but excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such TRA Holder in respect of such Taxable Year, then (i) such TRA Holder shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such TRA Holder has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess and (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer Group will pay the amount of such TRA Holder’s foregone payments to the other Persons to whom a payment is due under the Tax Receivable Agreements in a manner such that each such Person to whom a payment is due under the Tax Receivable Agreements, to the maximum extent possible, receives aggregate payments under Section 3.1(a) or the comparable section of the other Tax Receivable Agreement(s), as applicable (in each case, taking into account Section 3.3(a) and Section 3.3(b) or the comparable section of the other Tax Receivable Agreement(s), but excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts) in the amount it would have received if there had been no excess payment to such TRA Holder.

 

ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION

 

Section 4.1           Early Termination at Election of the Corporate Taxpayer. The Corporate Taxpayer Group may terminate this Agreement at any time by paying to each TRA Holder the Early Termination Payment due to such TRA Holder pursuant to Section 4.5(b) (such termination, an “Early Termination”); provided that the Corporate Taxpayer Group may withdraw any notice of exercise of its termination rights under this Section 4.1 prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer Group, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall not have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any Tax Benefit Payment previously due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and, except to the extent included in the Early Termination Payment, any Tax Benefit Payment due for any Taxable Year ending prior to,with or including the Early Termination Date. Upon payment of all amounts provided for in this Section 4.1, this Agreement shall terminate.

 

Section 4.2           Early Termination upon Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control and shall include, but not be limited to the following: (a) payment of the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the effective date of a Change of Control, (b) payment of any Tax Benefit Payment previously due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice, and (c) except to the extent included in the Early Termination Payment or if included as a payment under clause (b) of this Section 4.2, payment of any Tax Benefit Payment due for any Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the effective date of a Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Early Termination Payment shall be calculated utilizing the Valuation Assumptions and by substituting in each case the terms “the closing date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date”.

 

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Section 4.3           Breach of Agreement.

 

(a)              In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer Group breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment within three (3) months of the date when due, as a result of failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then if the Majority TRA Holders so elect, such breach shall be treated as an Early Termination. Upon such election, all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and shall be immediately due and payable, and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such breach and shall include, but shall not be limited to, (i) payment of the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of a breach, (ii) payment of any Tax Benefit Payment previously due and payable but unpaid as of the date of the breach, and (iii) except to the extent included in the Early Termination Payment or if included as a payment under clause (ii) of this Section 4.3(a), any Tax Benefit Payment due for any Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the date of the breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporate Taxpayer Group breaches this Agreement, if the Majority TRA Holders do not elect to treat such breach as an Early Termination pursuant to this Section 4.3(a), the TRA Holders shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the terms hereof.

 

(b)              The parties agree that the failure of the Corporate Taxpayer Group to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it shall not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, except in the case of an Early Termination Payment or any payment treated as an Early Termination Payment, it shall not be a breach of this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer Group fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment when due to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer Group has insufficient funds available to make, or to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer Group is contractually constrained from making, such payment in the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s sole judgment exercised in good faith; provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Corporate Taxpayer Group does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by any credit agreement to which OpCo LLC or any Subsidiary of OpCo LLC is a party, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate); provided further that it shall be a breach of this Agreement, and the provisions of Section 4.3(a) shall apply as of the original due date of the Tax Benefit Payment, if the Corporate Taxpayer Group makes any distribution of cash or other property (other than Class A Shares) to its stockholders while any Tax Benefit Payment is due and payable but unpaid. The Corporate Taxpayer Group shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain sufficient available funds for the purpose of making Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid entering into loan agreements that could be reasonably anticipated to materially delay or restrict the timing of any Tax Benefit Payments payable under this Agreement.

 

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Section 4.4           Early Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer Group chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall deliver to each Agent notice of such intention to exercise such right (the “Early Termination Notice”). Upon delivery of the Early Termination Notice or the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.2 or Section 4.3(a), the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall deliver (i) a schedule showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment (the “Early Termination Schedule”) and (ii) any other work papers related to the calculation of the Early Termination Payment reasonably requested by any Agent, in each case, as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of such event or delivery of the Early Termination Notice, as applicable. In addition, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall allow each Agent reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives of the Corporate Taxpayer Group in connection with a review of such Early Termination Schedule. The Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which all Agents have received such Schedule or amendment thereto unless (x) any Agent, within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule, provides the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each other Agent with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“Material Objection Notice”) or (y) each Agent provides a written waiver of such right of a Material Objection Notice within the period described in clause (x) above, in which case such Schedule becomes binding on the date waivers from all Agents have been received by the Corporate Taxpayer Group (the “Early Termination Effective Date”). If the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the Agents, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer Group of the Material Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the Agents shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures under Section 7.10 or Resolution of Disputes Procedures under Section 7.9, as applicable.

 

Section 4.5           Payment upon Early Termination.

 

(a)              Subject to its right to withdraw any notice of Early Termination pursuant to Section 4.1, within three (3) Business Days after the Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall pay to each TRA Holder its Early Termination Payment. Each such payment shall be made by check, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the TRA Holder, or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the TRA Holder.

 

(b)              A TRA Holder’s “Early Termination Payment” as of the Early Termination Date shall equal, with respect to each TRA Holder, the present value, discounted at the Agreed Rate as of the Early Termination Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer Group to such TRA Holder beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions are applied.

 

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ARTICLE V
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

 

Section 5.1           Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment, any payment pursuant to Section 4.2 resulting from a Change of Control or any payment pursuant to Section 5.2 shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporate Taxpayer Group (such obligations, “Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer Group that are not Senior Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the above, the determination of whether it is a breach of this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer Group fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment or other payment under this Agreement when due is governed by Section 4.3(b). To the extent that any payment under this Agreement is not permitted to be made at the time payment is due as a result of this Section 5.1 and the terms of the agreements governing Senior Obligations, such payment obligation nevertheless shall accrue for the benefit of the TRA Holders and the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall make such payments at the first opportunity that such payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the terms of the Senior Obligations.

 

Section 5.2           Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer Group. The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or any other payment under this Agreement not made to any TRA Holder when due under the terms of this Agreement, whether as a result of Section 5.1 and the terms of the Senior Obligations or otherwise, shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate (or, if so provided in Section 4.3(b), at the Agreed Rate) and commencing from the date on which such Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or any other payment under this Agreement was due and payable.

 

ARTICLE VI
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

 

Section 6.1           Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s and OpCo LLC’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the OpCo LLC Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer Group and OpCo LLC, and any of its Subsidiaries, including preparing, filing or amending any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall notify each Agent of, and keep each Agent reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding (a “Tax Proceeding”) of the Corporate Taxpayer Group or OpCo LLC or any of its Subsidiaries by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of the TRA Holders under this Agreement, and shall provide each Agent with reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to the Corporate Taxpayer Group, OpCo LLC or any of its Subsidiaries and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of a Tax Proceeding; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall not settle or otherwise resolve any part of a Tax Proceeding described in the previous clause that relates to a Basis Adjustment or the deduction of Imputed Interest (and, in each case, that is reasonably expected to have a material effect on the TRA Holders’ rights under this Agreement) without the written consent of the relevant Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided further, that the Corporate Taxpayer Group and OpCo LLC shall not be required to take any action, or refrain from taking any action, that is inconsistent with any provision of the OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

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Section 6.2           Consistency. Unless there is a Determination to the contrary, the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of the TRA Holders agree to report, and to cause their respective Subsidiaries to report, for all purposes, including U.S. federal, state and local Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including, the Basis Adjustments and each Tax Benefit Payment), but, for financial reporting purposes, only in respect of items that are not explicitly characterized as “deemed” or in a similar manner by the terms of this Agreement, in a manner consistent with the description of any Tax characterization herein (including as set forth in Section 2.2(b) and Section 3.1(b) and any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement, as finally determined pursuant to Section 2.3). If the Corporate Taxpayer and any TRA Holder, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve any disagreement concerning such treatment within thirty (30) calendar days, the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Holder shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures under Section 7.10 or Resolution of Disputes Procedures under Section 7.9, as applicable.

 

Section 6.3           Cooperation. Each TRA Holder shall (i) furnish to the Corporate Taxpayer Group in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporate Taxpayer Group may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any Tax Proceeding, (ii) make itself available to the Corporate Taxpayer Group and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporate Taxpayer Group or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (i) above, and (iii) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter. The Corporate Taxpayer Group shall reimburse each TRA Holder for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3. The Sponsor Agent shall promptly deliver to LS Power all material information (including the Tax Attribute Schedule and Tax Benefit Payment Schedule) received by the Sponsor Agent hereunder in its capacity as an Agent.

 

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 7.1           Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be sufficient in all respects if given in writing, in English and by personal delivery (if signed for receipt), by certified or registered United States mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, transmitted via facsimile transmission or transmitted via electronic mail (following appropriate confirmation of receipt by return email, including an automated confirmation of receipt) and shall be deemed to have been made and the receiving party charged with notice, when received except that if received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipient’s time zone) on a Business Day or if received on a day that is not a Business Day, such notice, request or communication will not be effective until the next succeeding Business Day. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

 

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If to the Corporate Taxpayer or the Corporate Taxpayer Group, to:

 

EVgo Inc.

11835 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90064

Attention: Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Email: francine.sullivan@evgo.com

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Corporate Taxpayer) to:

 

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street

25th Floor, Ste. 2500

Houston, TX 77002

Facsimile: (713) 615-5725

Attention: Ramey Layne; John Kupiec

Email: rlayne@velaw.com; jkupiec@velaw.com

 

If to the Sponsor Agent, to:

 

LS Power Equity Advisors LLC

1700 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: General Counsel

Email: jstaikos@lspower.com

 

If to a TRA Holder, other than an Agent, that is or was a partner in OpCo LLC, to:

 

The address set forth in the records of OpCo LLC.

 

Any party may change its address or fax number by giving the other party written notice of its new address or fax number in the manner set forth above.

 

Section 7.2           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or otherwise (including an electronically executed signature page) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

 

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Section 7.3           Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in Section 3.3.

 

Section 7.4           Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

Section 7.5           Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

Section 7.6           Successors; Assignment.

 

(a)              No TRA Holder may assign this Agreement to any Person without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that (i) to the extent Units are transferred in accordance with the terms of the OpCo LLC Agreement, the transferring TRA Holder shall have the option to assign to the transferee of such Units the transferring TRA Holder’s rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer Group; (ii) LS Power and any of its Affiliates shall have the right to assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, and (iii) the right to receive any and all payments payable or that may become payable to a TRA Holder pursuant to this Agreement that, once a Redemption has occurred, arise with respect to the Units transferred in such Redemption, may be assigned to any Person or Persons without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, provided further, that, in the case of both clause (i) and clause (ii), such transferee has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporate Taxpayer Group, agreeing to become a “TRA Holder” for all purposes of this Agreement, and, in the case of clause (iii), any such Person has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporate Taxpayer Group, agreeing to be bound by Section 7.13 and acknowledging specifically the terms of Section 7.6(c) and Section 7.11. For the avoidance of doubt, if a TRA Holder transfers Units but does not assign to the transferee of such Units the rights of such TRA Holder under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such TRA Holder shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments, if any, due hereunder with respect to, including any Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Redemption of, such Units.

 

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(b)              Any Person designated as an Agent, other than the Sponsor Agent, may not be changed without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer Group and the Majority TRA Holders (for this purpose, calculated by excluding LS Power and any of its Affiliates).

 

(c)              Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.6, no assignee described in Section 7.6(a)(iii) shall have any rights under this Agreement except for the right to enforce its right to receive payments under this Agreement.

 

(d)              Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporate Taxpayer Group shall cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer Group would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

Section 7.7           Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of the Corporate Taxpayer, the Majority TRA Holders and, for so long as LS Power or any of its Affiliates holds an interest herein, LS Power; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment would have a disproportionate effect on the payments certain TRA Holders will or may receive under this Agreement unless all such TRA Holders consent in writing to such amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the relevant Agent, in the case of provisions relating to such Agent, or in the case of any other provision, by the party against whom such waiver is to be effective.

 

Section 7.8           Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

 

Section 7.9           Resolution of Disputes.

 

(a)              Any and all disputes which are not governed by Section 7.10, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this Section 7.9 and Section 7.10) (each a “Dispute”) shall be governed by this Section 7.9 (the “Resolution of Disputes Procedures”). The parties hereto shall attempt in good faith to resolve all Disputes by negotiation. If a Dispute between the parties hereto cannot be resolved in such manner, such Dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in accordance with the then-existing rules of arbitration of the American Arbitration Association. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the American Arbitration Association shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in a U.S. state, or a nationally recognized expert in the relevant subject matter, and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. In addition to monetary damages, the arbitrator shall be empowered to award equitable relief, including an injunction and specific performance of any obligation under this Agreement. The arbitrator is not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover punitive, exemplary or similar damages with respect to any Dispute. The award shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues, or accounting presented to the arbitral tribunal. Judgment upon any award may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction over a party or any of its assets.

 

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(b)              Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.9(a), the Corporate Taxpayer Group may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this Section 7.9(b), each Agent and each TRA Holder (i) expressly consents to the application of Section 7.9(c) to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporate Taxpayer (or a member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group) as agent of such party for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such party in writing of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding.

 

(c)              EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION of any federal court of the District of Delaware or the Delaware Court of Chancery FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS Section 7.9 OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this Section 7.9(c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

 

(d)              The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in Section 7.9(c) and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

 

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Section 7.10       Reconciliation. In the event that any Agent and the Corporate Taxpayer Group are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the calculations required to produce the Schedules described in Section 2.3, Section 4.4 and Section 6.2 (but not, for the avoidance doubt, with respect to any legal interpretation with respect to such provisions or Schedules) within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to the Expert. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and unless the Corporate Taxpayer Group and such Agent agree otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer Group or such Agent or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the Expert shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association. The Expert shall resolve (a) any matter relating to the Tax Attribute Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days, (b) any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Payment Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days, and (c) any matter related to treatment of any Tax-related item as contemplated in Section 6.2 within fifteen (15) calendar days, or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable after such matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, any portion of such payment that is not under dispute shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer Group, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer Group except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporate Taxpayer Group and such Agent shall each bear its own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless (i) the Expert adopts such Agent’s position (as determined by the Expert), in which case the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall reimburse such Agent for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding or (ii) the Expert adopts the Corporate Taxpayer Group’s position (as determined by the Expert), in which case such Agent shall reimburse the Corporate Taxpayer Group for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.10 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.10 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer Group, the Agents, and the TRA Holders and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

 

 

Section 7.11       Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of its Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of its Affiliates is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of its Affiliates, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the relevant TRA Holder. In connection with any withholding for Taxes, the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of its Affiliates shall make commercially reasonably efforts to (i) minimize or eliminate any withholding Tax imposed on any amounts payable hereunder to a TRA Holder and (ii) cooperate with any TRA Holder with respect to such TRA Holder’s efforts to obtain necessary and available information for such TRA Holder to make filings, applications or elections to obtain any exemption, exclusion, credit or refund associated with taxation (including withholding Tax) on any amounts payable by the Corporate Taxpayer Group and each of its Affiliates to such TRA Holder.

 

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Section 7.12       Admission of a member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

 

(a)              If any member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local Tax law, then, subject to the application of the Valuation Assumptions upon a Change of Control, the (i) provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

 

(b)              If the Corporate Taxpayer Group (or any other entity that is obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder), OpCo LLC or any of OpCo LLC’s direct or indirect subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (a “Transferor”) directly or indirectly transfers, or is deemed to transfer, directly or indirectly, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, one or more Reference Assets to (i) a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) with which the Transferor does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or (ii) a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) in a transaction that is wholly or partially exempt from Tax, in each case, the Transferor, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such Reference Assets in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by the Transferor shall be equal to the gross fair market value of the transferred Reference Assets, plus, without duplication, (i) the amount of debt to which any Reference Asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered Reference Asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to any such Reference Asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest. For purposes of this Section 7.12(b), a transfer of an interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes shall be treated as a transfer of the Transferor’s share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership.

 

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Section 7.13       Confidentiality.

 

(a)              Each Agent, each TRA Holder and each of such TRA Holder’s assignees acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer Group and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such Person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporate Taxpayer Group and its Affiliates and successors, concerning OpCo LLC and its Affiliates and successors or the TRA Holders, learned by any Agent or any TRA Holder heretofore or hereafter; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any Agent may reasonably disclose information received by it in the ordinary course of such Agent’s duties as Agent to the TRA Holders for which it is Agent. This Section 7.13 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer Group or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of an Agent or a TRA Holder in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information (A) as may be proper in the course of performing such TRA Holder’s obligations, or monitoring or enforcing such TRA Holder’s rights, under this Agreement, (B) as part of such TRA Holder’s normal reporting, rating or review procedure (including normal credit rating and pricing process), or in connection with such TRA Holder’s or such TRA Holder’s Affiliates’ normal fund raising, financing, marketing, informational or reporting activities, or to such TRA Holder’s (or any of its Affiliates’) or its direct or indirect owners or Affiliates, auditors, accountants, employees, attorneys or other agents, (C) to any bona fide prospective assignee of such TRA Holder’s rights under this Agreement, or prospective merger or other business combination partner of such TRA Holder, provided that such assignee or merger partner agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 7.13, (D) as is required to be disclosed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative body or governmental body, or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by law, rule or regulation; provided that any TRA Holder required to make any such disclosure to the extent legally permissible shall provide the Corporate Taxpayer Group prompt notice of such disclosure, or to regulatory authorities or similar examiners conducting regulatory reviews or examinations (without any such notice to the Corporate Taxpayer Group), or (E) to the extent necessary for a TRA Holder or its direct or indirect owners to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding such Tax Returns from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any Tax Proceeding with respect to such Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each Agent (and each employee, representative or other agent of such Agent or its assignees, as applicable) and each TRA Holder and each of its assignees (and each employee, representative or other agent of such TRA Holder or its assignees, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the Tax treatment and Tax structure of the Corporate Taxpayer Group, OpCo LLC, the Agents, the TRA Holders and their Affiliates, and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other Tax analyses) that are provided to the Agents or any TRA Holder relating to such Tax treatment and Tax structure.

 

(b)              If an Agent or an assignee or a TRA Holder or an assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.13, the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.13 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporate Taxpayer Group or the TRA Holders and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

 

Section 7.14       No More Favorable Terms. No member of the Corporate Taxpayer Group shall enter into any additional agreement providing rights similar to this Agreement to any Person (including any agreement pursuant to which the Corporate Taxpayer Group is obligated to pay amounts with respect to Tax benefits resulting from any increases in Tax basis, net operating losses or other Tax attributes to which the Corporate Taxpayer Group becomes entitled as a result of a transaction) if such agreement provides terms that are more favorable to the counterparty under such agreement than those provided to the TRA Holders under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer Group may enter into such an agreement if this Agreement is amended to make such more favorable terms available to the TRA Holders.

 

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Section 7.15       Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a TRA Holder reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement (a) could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such TRA Holder upon any Redemption that as of the date of this Agreement would be treated as capital gain to instead be treated as ordinary income or to be otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates for U.S. federal income Tax purposes or (b) would have other material adverse Tax consequences to such TRA Holder and/or its direct or indirect owners, then, in either case, at the election of such TRA Holder and to the extent specified by such TRA Holder, but solely with respect to such TRA Holder, this Agreement (i) shall cease to have further effect, (ii) shall not apply to a Redemption by such TRA Holder occurring after a date specified by it, or (iii) shall otherwise be amended in a manner determined by such TRA Holder to waive any benefits to which such TRA Holder would otherwise be entitled under this Agreement, provided that such amendment shall not result in an increase in or acceleration of payments under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment.

 

Section 7.16       Independent Nature of TRA Holders’ Rights and Obligations. The rights and obligations of each TRA Holder are independent of the rights and obligations of any other TRA Holder. Solely by virtue of entering into this Agreement, no TRA Holder shall be responsible for the performance of the obligations of any other TRA Holder, nor shall any TRA Holder have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other TRA Holder. The obligations of each TRA Holder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, the Corporate Taxpayer Group. The decision of each TRA Holder to enter into this Agreement has been made by such TRA Holder independently of any other TRA Holder, except to the extent such TRA Holders are Affiliates or are otherwise under common Control. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing (other than the OpCo LLC Agreement), and no action taken by any TRA Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the TRA Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the TRA Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Corporate Taxpayer Group acknowledges that the TRA Holders are not acting in concert or as a group and will not assert any such claim with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer, Corporate Taxpayer Sub, the Agent, and the TRA Holders have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  corporate taxpayer:
   
  CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS REAL IMPACT I ACQUISITION CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
           Name: John A. Cavalier
           Title: Chief Financial Officer
   
  corporate taxpayer SUB:
   
  CRIS THUNDER MERGER LLC
   
  By: Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation
   
  By: /s/ John A. Cavalier
           Name: John A. Cavalier
           Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]

 

 

 

  SPONSOR AGENT:
   
  LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
          Name: David Nanus
          Title: EVP

 

[The signatures of the TRA Holders are attached in Schedule A.]

 

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

TRA HOLDERS

 

  evgo hOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
          Name: David Nanus
          Title: EVP

 

Schedule A-1

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

EVgo Inc.

2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

1.             Purpose. The purpose of the EVgo Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide a means through which (a) EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Affiliates may attract, retain and motivate qualified persons as employees, directors, consultants, and other individual service providers, thereby enhancing the profitable growth of the Company and the Affiliates and (b) persons upon whom the responsibilities of the successful administration and management of the Company and the Affiliates rest, and whose present and potential contributions to the Company and the Affiliates are of importance, can acquire and maintain stock ownership or awards the value of which is tied to the performance of the Company, thereby strengthening their concern for the Company and the Affiliates. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Awards, Dividend Equivalents, Other Stock-Based Awards, Cash Awards, Substitute Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

2.             Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(a)               Affiliate” means, with respect to any person or entity, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, trust or other organization that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person or entity. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any entity or organization, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the controlled entity or organization or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled entity or organization, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

 

(b)               ASC Topic 718” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as amended or any successor accounting standard.

 

(c)               Award” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Cash Award, or Substitute Award, together with any other right or interest, granted under the Plan.

 

(d)               Award Agreement” means any written instrument (including any employment, severance or change in control agreement) that sets forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations applicable to an Award, in addition to those set forth under the Plan.

 

(e)               Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f)                Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash granted under Section 6(i).

 

 

 

 

(g)               Change in Control” means, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:

 

(i)                 The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of Stock (the “Outstanding Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company or its subsidiaries, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of clause (iii) below;

 

(ii)              The individuals constituting the Board on the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason (other than death or disability) to constitute at least majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) will be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a “person” (as used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), in each case, other than the Board, which individual, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this definition, regardless of whether such individual was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors;

 

(iii)            Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or an acquisition of assets of another entity (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) the Outstanding Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities which represent or are convertible into more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company, or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), (B) no individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), excluding the Company, its subsidiaries and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or the entity resulting from such Business Combination (or any entity controlled by either the Company or the entity resulting from such Business Combination), beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body of such entity except to the extent that such ownership results solely from direct or indirect ownership of the Company that existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or similar governing body of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

(iv)             Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

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Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 2(g), for purposes of an Award that provides for a deferral of compensation under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, to the extent the impact of a Change in Control on such Award would subject a Participant to additional taxes under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, a Change in Control described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above with respect to such Award will mean both a Change in Control and a “change in the ownership of a corporation,” “change in the effective control of a corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules as applied to the Company.

 

(h)               Change in Control Price” means the amount determined in the following clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), whichever the Committee determines is applicable, as follows: (i) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any merger or consolidation, (ii) the per share Fair Market Value of the Stock immediately before the Change in Control or other event without regard to assets sold in the Change in Control or other event and assuming the Company has received the consideration paid for the assets in the case of a sale of the assets, (iii) the amount distributed per share of Stock in a dissolution transaction, (iv) the price per share offered to holders of Stock in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change in Control or other event takes place, or (v) if such Change in Control or other event occurs other than pursuant to a transaction described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this Section 2(h), the value per share of the Stock that may otherwise be obtained with respect to such Awards or to which such Awards track, as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards. In the event that the consideration offered to stockholders of the Company in any transaction described in this Section 2(h) or in Section 8(e) consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall determine the fair cash equivalent of the portion of the consideration offered which is other than cash and such determination shall be binding on all affected Participants to the extent applicable to Awards held by such Participants.

 

(i)                 Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

 

(j)                 Committee” means a committee of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members.

 

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(k)               Dividend Equivalent” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(g), to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

 

(l)                 Effective Date” means March 26, 2021.

 

(m)             Eligible Person” means any individual who, as of the date of grant of an Award, is an officer or employee of the Company or of any Affiliate, and any other person who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate, including directors of the Company; provided, however, that, any such individual must be an “employee” of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries within the meaning of General Instruction A.1(a) to Form S-8 if such individual is granted an Award that may be settled in Stock. An employee on leave of absence may be an Eligible Person.

 

(n)               Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

 

(o)               Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock means, as of any specified date, (i) if the Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Stock, as reported on the stock exchange composite tape on that date (or if no sales occur on such date, on the last preceding date on which such sales of the Stock are so reported); (ii) if the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded over the counter on such date, the average between the reported high and low bid and asked prices of Stock on the most recent date on which Stock was publicly traded on or preceding the specified date; or (iii) in the event Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made under the Plan, the amount determined by the Committee in its discretion in such manner as it deems appropriate, taking into account all factors the Committee deems appropriate, including the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. Notwithstanding this definition of Fair Market Value, with respect to one or more Award types, or for any other purpose for which the Committee must determine the Fair Market Value under the Plan, the Committee may elect to choose a different measurement date or methodology for determining Fair Market Value so long as the determination is consistent with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and all other applicable laws and regulations.

 

(p)               ISO” means an Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(q)               Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules” means the limitations and requirements of Section 409A of the Code, as amended from time to time, including the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance and regulations thereto.

 

(r)                Nonstatutory Option” means an Option that is not an ISO.

 

(s)                Option” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(b), to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time periods, which may either be an ISO or a Nonstatutory Option.

 

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(t)                 Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(h).

 

(u)               Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan that remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

 

(v)               Qualified Member” means a member of the Board who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3), and (ii) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Stock is traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules.

 

(w)             Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(d) that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

(x)               Restricted Stock Unit” means a right, granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(e), to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period (which may or may not be coterminous with the vesting schedule of the Award).

 

(y)               Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(z)               SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(c).

 

(aa)            SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(bb)           Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the guidance, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and successor provisions, guidance, rules and regulations thereto.

 

(cc)            Stock” means the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or re-substituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 8.

 

(dd)           Stock Award” means unrestricted shares of Stock granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6(f).

 

(ee)            Substitute Award” means an Award granted under Section 6(j).

 

3.             Administration.

 

(a)               Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board.” Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, Rule 16b-3 and other applicable laws, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to:

 

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(i)                 designate Eligible Persons as Participants;

 

(ii)              determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to an Eligible Person;

 

(iii)             determine the number of shares of Stock or amount of cash to be covered by Awards;

 

(iv)            determine the terms and conditions of any Award, including whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled, exercised, cancelled or forfeited (including conditions based on continued employment or service requirements or the achievement of one or more performance goals);

 

(v)              modify, waive or adjust any term or condition of an Award that has been granted, which may include the acceleration of vesting, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, modification of the form of settlement of the Award (for example, from cash to Stock or vice versa), early termination of a performance period, or modification of any other condition or limitation regarding an Award;

 

(vi)             determine the treatment of an Award upon a termination of employment or other service relationship;

 

(vii)            impose a holding period with respect to an Award or the shares of Stock received in connection with an Award;

 

(viii)           interpret and administer the Plan and any Award Agreement;

 

(ix)             correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award Agreement; and

 

(x)              make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, Affiliates, stockholders, Participants, beneficiaries, and permitted transferees under Section 7(a) or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant. The Committee’s determinations need not be uniform with respect to Participants, and need not apply consistently across Awards.

 

(b)               Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company where such action is not taken by the full Board may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the full Board may take any action relating to an Award granted or to be granted to an Eligible Person who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company.

 

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(c)               Delegation of Authority. The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions and grant Awards; provided, that such delegation does not (i) violate state or corporate law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company. Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” other than in Section 8, shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee. Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided, however, that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may also appoint agents who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering the Plan, provided, however, that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Stock.

 

(d)               Limitation of Liability. The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

 

(e)               Participants in Non-U.S. Jurisdictions. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to comply with applicable laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company or any Affiliate operates or has employees, directors or other service providers from time to time, or to ensure that the Company complies with any applicable requirements of foreign securities exchanges, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which of the Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which Eligible Persons outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Persons outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any foreign exchange; (iv) establish sub-plans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such sub-plans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices), provided, however, that no such sub-plans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 4(a); and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is granted, that it deems advisable to comply with any applicable governmental regulatory exemptions or approval or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.

 

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4.             Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a)               Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment in a manner consistent with Section 8, 33,918,000 shares of Stock are reserved and available for delivery with respect to Awards, and such total shall be available for the issuance of shares upon the exercise of ISOs.

 

(b)               Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards. If all or any portion of an Award expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated, the shares of Stock subject to such Award (including (i) shares forfeited with respect to Restricted Stock, and (ii) the number of shares withheld or surrendered to the Company in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Award or taxes relating to Awards) shall not be considered “delivered shares” under the Plan, shall be available for delivery with respect to Awards. If an Award may be settled only in cash, such Award need not be counted against any share limit under this Section 4.

 

(c)               Shares Available Following Certain Transactions. Substitute Awards granted in accordance with applicable stock exchange requirements and in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines shall not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or the limitations on grants to non-employee members of the Board under Section 5(b), nor shall shares subject to such Substitute Awards be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan as provided above (whether or not such Substitute Awards are later cancelled, forfeited or otherwise terminated).

 

(d)               Stock Offered. The shares of Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock, (ii) Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market.

 

5.             Eligibility; Award Limitations for Non-Employee Members of the Board.

 

(a)               Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons.

 

(b)               In each calendar year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, a non-employee member of the Board may not be granted Awards for such individual’s service on the Board having a value (determined, if applicable, pursuant to ASC Topic 718) on the date of grant in excess of $750,000; provided, that for any calendar year in which a non-employee member of the Board (i) first commences service on the Board, (ii) serves on a special committee of the Board, or (iii) serves as lead director or chairman of the Board, additional Awards may be granted to such non-employee member of the Board in excess of such limit; provided, further, that the limit set forth in this Section 5(b) shall be applied without regard to (A) cash fees paid to a non-employee member of the Board during such calendar year (or grants of Awards, if any, made to a non-employee member of the Board in lieu of all or any portion of such cash fees) or (B) grants of Awards, if any, made to a non-employee member of the Board during any period in which such individual was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate or was otherwise providing services to the Company or to any Affiliate other than in the capacity as a director of the Company.

 

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6.             Specific Terms of Awards.

 

(a)               General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any other Award. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including subjecting such awards to service- or performance-based vesting conditions. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, with respect to any performance-based conditions, (i) the Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance goals applicable to an Award, and (ii) any such performance goals may relate to the performance of the Participant, the Company (on a consolidated basis), or to specified subsidiaries, business or geographical units or operating areas of the Company, (iii) the performance period or periods over which performance goals will be measured shall be established by the Committee, and (iv) any such performance goals and performance periods may differ among Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.  Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award.

 

(b)               Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options, which may be designated as either ISOs or Nonstatutory Options, to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                 Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Option shall state the exercise price per share of Stock (the “Exercise Price”) established by the Committee; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6(j) or in Section 8, the Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant).

 

(ii)              Time and Method of Exercise; Other Terms. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the Exercise Price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned shares or through a cashless exercise, i.e., “net settlement”, a broker-assisted exercise, or other reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the Option), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate, other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, including the delivery of Restricted Stock subject to Section 6(d), and any other terms and conditions of any Option. In the case of an exercise whereby the Exercise Price is paid with Stock, such Stock shall be valued based on the Stock’s Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise. No Option may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the Option (or in the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or any of its subsidiaries, for a period of more than five years following the date of grant of the ISO).

 

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(iii)            ISOs. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. ISOs may only be granted to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or employees of a parent or any subsidiary corporation of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8, no term of the Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under Section 422 of the Code, unless notice has been provided to the Participant that such change will result in such disqualification. ISOs shall not be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the adoption of the Plan or the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to an ISO and the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of stock of any parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) subject to any other incentive stock options of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) that are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, or such other amount as may be prescribed under Section 422 of the Code, such excess shall be treated as Nonstatutory Options in accordance with the Code. As used in the previous sentence, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date the ISO is granted. If a Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to an ISO under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to disqualifying dispositions), the Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within the time provided to do so in the applicable award agreement.

 

(c)               SARs. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                 Right to Payment. An SAR is a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.

 

(ii)              Grant Price. Each Award Agreement evidencing an SAR shall state the grant price per share of Stock established by the Committee; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6(j) or in Section 8, the grant price per share of Stock subject to an SAR shall not be less than the greater of (A) the par value per share of the Stock or (B) 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR.

 

(iii)            Method of Exercise and Settlement; Other Terms. The Committee shall determine the form of consideration payable upon settlement, the method by or forms in which Stock (if any) will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. SARs may be either free-standing or granted in tandem with other Awards. No SAR may be exercisable for a period of more than ten years following the date of grant of the SAR.

 

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(iv)             Rights Related to Options. An SAR granted in connection with an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (A) the difference obtained by subtracting the Exercise Price with respect to a share of Stock specified in the related Option from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR, by (B) the number of shares as to which that SAR has been exercised. The Option shall then cease to be exercisable to the extent surrendered. SARs granted in connection with an Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement governing the Option, which shall provide that the SAR is exercisable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable except to the extent that the related Option is transferrable.

 

(d)               Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                 Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose. Except as provided in Section 7(a)(iii) and Section 7(a)(iv), during the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hedged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.

 

(ii)              Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may allow a Participant to elect, or may require, that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, applied to the purchase of additional Awards or deferred without interest to the date of vesting of the associated Award of Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and specified in the applicable Award Agreement, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

 

(e)               Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Persons on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                 Award and Restrictions. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose.

 

(ii)              Settlement. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon vesting or upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Restricted Stock Units by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant). Restricted Stock Units shall be settled by delivery of (A) a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or (B) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which settlement is due, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

 

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(f)                Stock Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Awards to Eligible Persons as a bonus, as additional compensation, or in lieu of cash compensation any such Eligible Person is otherwise entitled to receive, in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

 

(g)               Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons, entitling any such Eligible Person to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends or other distributions paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award (other than an Award of Restricted Stock or a Stock Award). The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or at a later specified date and, if distributed at a later date, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles or accrued in a bookkeeping account without interest, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee may specify. With respect to Dividend Equivalents granted in connection with another Award, absent a contrary provision in the Award Agreement, such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Award with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid unless and until such Award has vested and been earned.

 

(h)               Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Eligible Persons such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of, or the performance of, specified Affiliates. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Other Stock-Based Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Other-Stock Based Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(i)                 Cash Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Cash Awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to Eligible Persons in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee in its discretion determines to be appropriate.

 

(j)                 Substitute Awards; No Repricing. Awards may be granted in substitution or exchange for any other Award granted under the Plan or under another plan of the Company or an Affiliate or any other right of an Eligible Person to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate. Awards may also be granted under the Plan in substitution for awards held by individuals who become Eligible Persons as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of another entity or the assets of another entity by or with the Company or an Affiliate. Such Substitute Awards referred to in the immediately preceding sentence that are Options or SARs may have an exercise price that is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the substitution if such substitution complies with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, Section 424 of the Code and the Guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder, if applicable, and other applicable laws and exchange rules. Except as provided in this Section 6(j) or in Section 8, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to (i) reduce the Exercise Price or grant price of an outstanding Option or SAR, (ii) grant a new Option, SAR in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or SAR that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, (iii) exchange any Option or SAR for Stock, cash or other consideration when the Exercise Price or grant price per share of Stock under such Option or SAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock or (iv) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or SAR under the applicable listing standards of the national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed (if any).

 

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7.             Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.

 

(a)               Limit on Transfer of Awards.

 

(i)                 Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(iii) and (iv), each Option and SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7(a), an ISO shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(ii)              Except as provided in Sections 7(a)(i), (iii) and (iv), no Award, other than a Stock Award, and no right under any such Award, may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(iii)            To the extent specifically provided by the Committee and permitted pursuant to Form S-8 and the instructions thereto, an Award may be transferred by a Participant on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish; provided, however, that no Award (other than a Stock Award) may be transferred to a third-party financial institution for value.

 

(iv)             An Award may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order entered or approved by a court of competent jurisdiction upon delivery to the Company of a written request for such transfer and a certified copy of such order.

 

(b)               Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or any Affiliates upon the exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine in its discretion, including cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis (which may be required by the Committee or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee); provided, however, that any such deferred or installment payments will be set forth in the Award Agreement. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

 

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(c)               Evidencing Stock. The Stock or other securities of the Company delivered pursuant to an Award may be evidenced in any manner deemed appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion, including in the form of a certificate issued in the name of the Participant or by book entry, electronic or otherwise, and shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Stock or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal, state or other laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Further, if certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Company may retain physical possession of the certificates and may require that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, related to the Restricted Stock.

 

(d)               Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine, but shall not be granted for less than the minimum lawful consideration.

 

(e)               Additional Agreements. Each Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan may be required to agree in writing, as a condition to the grant of such Award or otherwise, to subject an Award that is exercised or settled following such Eligible Person’s termination of employment or service to a general release of claims and/or a noncompetition or other restricted covenant agreement in favor of the Company and the Affiliates, with the terms and conditions of such agreement(s) to be determined in good faith by the Committee.

 

8.             Subdivision or Consolidation; Recapitalization; Change in Control; Reorganization.

 

(a)               Existence of Plans and Awards. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company, the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

(b)               Additional Issuances. Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, including upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share of Stock, if applicable.

 

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(c)               Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares. The terms of an Award and the share limitations under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)                 If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall subdivide as a whole (by reclassification, by a Stock split, by the issuance of a distribution on Stock payable in Stock, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a greater number of shares of Stock or in the event the Company distributes an extraordinary cash dividend, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4 and Section 5 (other than cash limits) shall be increased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then-outstanding Award shall be increased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then-outstanding Awards shall be reduced proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions; provided, however, that in the case of an extraordinary cash dividend that is not an Adjustment Event, the adjustment to the number of shares of Stock and the Exercise Price or grant price, as applicable, with respect to an outstanding Option or SAR may be made in such other manner as the Committee may determine that is permitted pursuant to applicable tax and other laws, rules and regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards that already have a right to receive extraordinary cash dividends as a result of Dividend Equivalents or other dividend rights will not be adjusted as a result of an extraordinary cash dividend.

 

(ii)              If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall consolidate as a whole (by reclassification, by reverse Stock split, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a lesser number of shares of Stock, then, as appropriate (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery with respect to Awards and applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4 and Section 5 (other than cash limits) shall be decreased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any then-outstanding Award shall be decreased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the Exercise Price or grant price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then-outstanding Awards shall be increased proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.

 

(d)               Recapitalization. In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would be considered an “equity restructuring” within the meaning of ASC Topic 718 and, in each case, that would result in an additional compensation expense to the Company pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718, if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary or otherwise not required (each such an event, an “Adjustment Event”), then the Committee shall equitably adjust (i) the aggregate number or kind of shares that thereafter may be delivered under the Plan, (ii) the number or kind of shares or other property (including cash) subject to an Award, (iii) the terms and conditions of Awards, including the purchase price or Exercise Price of Awards and performance goals, as applicable, and (iv) the applicable limitations with respect to Awards provided in Section 4 and Section 5 (other than cash limits) to equitably reflect such Adjustment Event (“Equitable Adjustments”). In the event of any change in the capital structure or business of the Company or other corporate transaction or event that would not be considered an Adjustment Event, and is not otherwise addressed in this Section 8, the Committee shall have complete discretion to make Equitable Adjustments (if any) in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.

 

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(e)               Change in Control and Other Events. In the event of a Change in Control or other changes in the Company or the outstanding Stock by reason of a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange or other relevant change occurring after the date of the grant of any Award, the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may exercise any power enumerated in Section 3 (including the power to accelerate vesting, waive any forfeiture conditions or otherwise modify or adjust any other condition or limitation regarding an Award) and may also effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Awards held by any individual holder:

 

(i)                 accelerate the time of exercisability of an Award so that such Award may be exercised in full or in part for a limited period of time on or before a date specified by the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Awards and all rights of holders thereunder shall terminate;

 

(ii)              redeem in whole or in part outstanding Awards by requiring the mandatory surrender to the Company by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Awards held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Awards are then vested or exercisable) as of a date, specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Awards and pay to each holder an amount of cash or other consideration per Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent or Cash Award, which the Committee may separately require to be surrendered in exchange for cash or other consideration determined by the Committee in its discretion) equal to the Change in Control Price, less the Exercise Price with respect to an Option and less the grant price with respect to an SAR, as applicable to such Awards; provided, however, that to the extent the Exercise Price of an Option or the grant price of an SAR exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be cancelled for no consideration;

 

(iii)            cancel Awards that remain subject to a restricted period as of the date of a Change in Control or other such event without payment of any consideration to the Participant for such Awards; or

 

(iv)             make such adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control or other such event (including the substitution, assumption, or continuation of Awards by the successor company or a parent or subsidiary thereof);

 

provided, however, that so long as the event is not an Adjustment Event, the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Awards then outstanding. If an Adjustment Event occurs, this Section 8(e) shall only apply to the extent it is not in conflict with Section 8(d).

 

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9.             General Provisions.

 

(a)               Tax Withholding. The Company and any Affiliate are authorized to withhold from any Award granted, or any payment relating to an Award, including from a distribution of Stock, taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company, the Affiliates and Participants to satisfy the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award in such amounts as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the form of payment acceptable for such tax withholding obligations, including the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including through delivery of previously owned shares, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to the Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. Any determination made by the Committee to allow a Participant who is subject to Rule 16b-3 to pay taxes with shares of Stock through net settlement or previously owned shares shall be approved by either a committee made up of solely two or more Qualified Members or the full Board. If such tax withholding amounts are satisfied through net settlement or previously owned shares, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld or surrendered shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to such Award, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)               Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and/or employees and/or other service providers, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

 

(c)               Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. All questions arising with respect to the provisions of the Plan and Awards shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable federal and state laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under the Plan, the Company and each Participant who accepts an Award hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of any Delaware Chancery Court located in New Castle County.

 

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(d)               Severability and Reformation. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the terms or provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Eligible Persons who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act) or Section 422 of the Code (with respect to ISOs), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (unless the Board or the Committee, as appropriate, has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3) or Section 422 of the Code, in each case, only to the extent Rule 16b-3 and such sections of the Code are applicable. With respect to ISOs, if the Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under Section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided, further, that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an ISO cannot so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed a Nonstatutory Option for all purposes of the Plan.

 

(e)               Unfunded Status of Awards; No Trust or Fund Created. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

 

(f)                Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.

 

(g)               Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Stock or whether such fractional shares of Stock or any rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated with or without consideration.

 

(h)               Interpretation. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, and, where appropriate, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of an Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. References herein to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and not prohibited by the Plan.

 

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(i)                 Facility of Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any individual under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such individual, or may be applied for the benefit of such individual in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

 

(j)                 Conditions to Delivery of Stock. Nothing herein or in any Award Agreement shall require the Company to issue any shares with respect to any Award if that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, constitute a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. In addition, each Participant who receives an Award under the Plan shall not sell or otherwise dispose of Stock that is acquired upon grant, exercise or vesting of an Award in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws, the Plan or the rules, regulations or other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed. At the time of any exercise of an Option or SAR, or at the time of any grant of any other Award, the Company may, as a condition precedent to the exercise of such Option or SAR or settlement of any other Award, require from the Participant (or in the event of his or her death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) such written representations, if any, concerning the holder’s intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the shares of Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award and such written covenants and agreements, if any, as to the manner of disposal of such shares as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, may be necessary to ensure that any disposition by that holder (or in the event of the holder’s death, his or her legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) will not involve a violation of the Securities Act, any other applicable state or federal statute or regulation, or any rule of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. Stock or other securities shall not be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including any Exercise Price, grant price, or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

 

(k)               Section 409A of the Code. It is the general intention, but not the obligation, of the Committee to design Awards to comply with or to be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, and Awards will be operated and construed accordingly. Neither this Section 9(k) nor any other provision of the Plan is or contains a representation to any Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant, vesting, exercise, settlement, or sale of any Award (or the Stock underlying such Award) granted hereunder, and should not be interpreted as such. In no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a “specified employee” (as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that would be subject to additional taxes and interest under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules if the Participant’s receipt of such payment or benefits is not delayed until the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the date that is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service,” as defined under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules (such date, the “Section 409A Payment Date”), then such payment or benefit shall not be provided to the Participant until the Section 409A Payment Date. Any amounts subject to the preceding sentence that would otherwise be payable prior to the Section 409A Payment Date will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest on the Section 409A Payment Date. The applicable provisions of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith.

 

19 

 

 

(l)                 Clawback. The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to any written clawback policies that the Company, with the approval of the Board or an authorized committee thereof, may adopt either prior to or following the Effective Date, including any policy adopted to conform to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC and that the Company determines should apply to Awards. Any such policy may subject a Participant’s Awards and amounts paid or realized with respect to Awards to reduction, cancelation, forfeiture or recoupment if certain specified events or wrongful conduct occur, including an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with financial reporting regulations or other events or wrongful conduct specified in any such clawback policy.

 

(m)             Status under ERISA. The Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

(n)               Plan Effective Date and Term. The Plan was adopted by the Board to be effective on the Effective Date. No Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. However, any Award granted prior to such termination (or any earlier termination pursuant to Section 10), and the authority of the Board or Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, shall extend beyond such termination until the final disposition of such Award.

 

10.           Amendments to the Plan and Awards. The Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award or Award Agreement, the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Committee action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Committee may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval; provided, that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. For purposes of clarity, any adjustments made to Awards pursuant to Section 8 will be deemed not to materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award and therefore may be made without the consent of affected Participants.

 

20 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

EVGO INC.

2021 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the EVgo Inc. 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) set forth below. This award of RSUs (this ”Award”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

Participant:  
     
Date of Grant:  
     
Total Number of Restricted Stock Units:

 

     
     
Vesting Commencement Date:

 

 

     
     

Vesting Schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

Subject to the Agreement, the Plan and the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the RSUs shall vest and become exercisable according to the following schedule:

 

provided, that you remain continuously employed by the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, from the Date of Grant through each such vesting date. Shares will be issued with respect to the RSUs as set forth in Section 4 of the Agreement (which Shares when issued will be transferable and nonforfeitable).

 

By your signature below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”). You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations that arise under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Participant has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.

 

  EVGO INC.
   
   
  By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

  PARTICIPANT
   
   
   
  Name:

 

   
  Date Accepted:  

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached by and between EVgo Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and _________ (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.

 

1.                  Award.  In consideration of the Participant’s past or continued employment with the Company or its Affiliates and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”), the Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. To the extent vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Plan. Unless and until the RSUs have become vested in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Stock or other payments in respect of the RSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the RSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company.

 

2.                  Vesting of RSUs

 

(a)               The RSUs shall vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.  Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with such vesting schedule, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distribution with respect to the RSUs. Upon a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs, any unvested RSUs (and all rights arising from such RSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Company.

 

(b)               Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event of any inconsistency between this Section 2 and any employment agreement entered into by and between you and the Company or its Affiliates, the terms of the employment agreement shall control.

 

3.                  Dividend Equivalents. In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of RSUs held by the Participant that have not been settled as of such record date, such payment to be made on the same date that the RSUs to which they are attributable are settled and paid in accordance with Section 4. For purposes of clarity, if the RSUs (or any portion thereof) are forfeited by the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Participant shall also forfeit the Dividend Equivalents, if any, accrued with respect to such forfeited RSUs. No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents.

 

A-1

 

 

4.                  Settlement of RSUs. As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of RSUs pursuant to Section 2, but in no event later than 60 days after such vesting date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of RSUs subject to this Award. All shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The value of shares of Stock shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time. Neither this Section 4 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement shall be construed to create a trust or a funded or secured obligation of any kind.

 

5.                  Tax Withholding. To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award results in compensation income or wages to the Participant for federal, state, local or foreign tax purposes, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, Stock (including previously owned Stock, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to this Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate. If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or the surrender of previously owned Stock, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares of Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, local or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment for the Company with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee. Any fraction of a share of Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash to the Participant. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or an Affiliate or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.

 

6.                  Employment Relationship. For purposes of this Agreement the Participant shall be considered to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate as long as the Participant remains an employee of any of the Company, an Affiliate or a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is expressly provided that the Participant shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company (a) when the Participant ceases to be an employee of any of the Company, an Affiliate, or a corporation or other entity (or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity) assuming or substituting a new award for this Award or (b) at the time of the termination of the “Affiliate” status under the Plan of the corporation or other entity that employs the Participant.

 

A-2

 

 

7.                  Leave of Absence. With respect to the Award, the Company may, in its sole discretion, determine that if the Participant is on a leave of absence for any reason the Participant will be considered to still be in the employ of, or providing services for, the Company, provided that rights to the RSUs during a leave of absence will be limited to the extent to which those rights were earned or vested when the leave of absence began.

 

8.                  Non-Transferability.  During the lifetime of the Participant, the RSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

 

9.                  Compliance with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No shares of Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to any issuance of Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company.

 

10.              Legends. If a stock certificate is issued with respect to shares of Stock issued hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Stock is then listed.

 

A-3

 

 

If the shares of Stock issued hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement.

 

11.              Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

 

12.              No Right to Continued Employment or Awards. Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the RSUs thereunder pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by the Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Any future Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the Company.

 

13.              Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company, unless otherwise designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant (or other holder):

 

EVgo Inc.
Attn: Francine Sullivan
11835 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 900E
Los Angeles, California 90064
Telephone: (877) 494-3833

 

If to the Participant, at the Participant’s last known address on file with the Company.

 

Any notice that is delivered personally or by overnight courier or telecopier in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given to the Participant when it is mailed by the Company or, if such notice is not mailed to the Participant, upon receipt by the Participant. Any notice that is addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been given to the party to whom it is addressed at the close of business, local time of the recipient, on the fourth day after the day it is so placed in the mail.

 

14.              Consent to Electronic Delivery; Electronic Signature. In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, the Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including prospectuses, prospectus supplements, grant or award notifications and agreements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this and any other Award made or offered by the Company. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which the Participant has access. The Participant hereby consents to any and all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents that the Company may be required to deliver, and agrees that his or her electronic signature is the same as, and shall have the same force and effect as, his or her manual signature.

 

A-4

 

 

15.              Agreement to Furnish Information. The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.

 

16.              Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the RSUs granted hereby; provided¸ however, that the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment, consulting or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that materially reduces the rights of the Participant shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company.

 

17.              Severability and Waiver. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement or failure to exercise any right hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach or right. The failure of any party to take action by reason of such breach or to exercise any such right shall not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while or after such breach or condition giving rise to such rights continues.

 

18.              Clawback. Notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice, this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law, including the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any SEC rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) or policy.

 

19.              Insider Trading Policy. The terms of the Company’s insider trading policy with respect to shares of Stock are incorporated herein by reference.

 

20.              Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED THEREIN, EXCLUSIVE OF THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising under this Agreement, Participant hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in New Castle County, Delaware. The parties hereto waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defenses to venue and jurisdiction in New Castle County, Delaware.

 

A-5

 

 

21.              Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the RSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

22.              Headings; References; Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only and are not deemed to be part of this Agreement. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Sections shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Sections of this Agreement. The word “or” as used herein is not exclusive and is deemed to have the meaning “and/or.” All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to a law, agreement, instrument or other document shall be deemed to refer to such law, agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, modified and restated from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof. All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice versa. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.

 

23.              Counterparts.  The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or portable document format (.pdf) attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Grant Notice.

 

24.              Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules. To the extent that the Committee determines that the RSUs may not be exempt from the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, then, if the Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, as determined by the Committee, at a time when the Participant becomes eligible for settlement of the RSUs upon his “separation from service” within the meaning of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules, such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service and (b) the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Rules.

 

A-6

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

AND

 

CATHERINE ZOI

 

JANUARY 15, 2020

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
Section 1. Employment 2
Section 2. Position and Duties 2
Section 3. Compensation and Benefits 3
Section 4. Term 3
Section 5. Executive’s Representations 6
Section 6. Deferred Compensation Matters 6
Section 7. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation 9
Section 8. Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights 10
Section 9. Enforcement 11
Section 10. Survival 11
Section 11. Notices 11
Section 12. Severability 12
Section 13. Complete Agreement 12
Section 14. No Strict Construction 12
Section 15. Counterparts 12
Section 16. Successors and Assigns 12
Section 17. Choice of Law 12
Section 18. Amendment and Waiver 12
Section 19. Withholding 13
SECTION 20. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 13
SECTION 21. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 13
Section 22. Corporate Opportunity 13
Section 23. Executive’s Cooperation 13

 

i

 

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of January , 2020 and is effective as of the date of the closing (the “Closing” or the “Effective Date”) of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among EVgo Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo MergerCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (and any successor thereto, the “Company”), and the other parties thereto, dated as of December 19, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and Catherine Zoi (“Executive”). In the event that the Closing does not occur or the Merger Agreement is otherwise terminated or abandoned prior to the Closing, then this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.      Employment. The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending as provided in Section 4 (the “Employment Period”).

 

Section 2.      Position and Duties.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities, functions and authority of the CEO, subject to the power and authority of EVgo Holding, LLC’s (“Holdings”) board of managers (the “Board”) to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority generally consistent with Executive’s position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall render such executive and managerial services to the Company and its Subsidiaries which are consistent with Executive’s position, as the Board may from time to time direct.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the Board and shall devote Executive’s best efforts and Executive’s full business time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties, responsibilities and functions for the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, legal, professional and efficient manner and shall comply with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ policies and procedures in all material respects. In performing Executive’s duties and exercising Executive’s authority under the Agreement, Executive shall support and implement the business and strategic plans approved from time to time by the Board and shall support and cooperate with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ efforts to expand their businesses and operate profitably and in conformity with the business and strategic plans approved by the Board. So long as Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, accept other employment or perform other services for compensation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall not serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise perform services for compensation for, any other person or entity without the prior written consent of the Board; provided that Executive may serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise participate in, solely educational, welfare, social, religious, not-for-profit and civic organizations so long as such activities do not interfere with Executive’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 3.      Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive’s base salary shall be $406,850 per annum (the “Base Salary”), which salary shall be payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices in effect from time to time. During the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending December 31, 2020, the Base Salary shall be pro rated on an annualized basis. In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries are generally eligible, including vacation and paid time off, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and policies.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

 

(c)       Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive payment (the “Bonus Amount”) based on a target bonus opportunity of 100% of Base Salary based upon Executive’s performance and the Company’s achievement of certain objectives as determined by the Board (the “Incentive Targets”). The Bonus Amount, if any, shall be paid to the Executive within 30 days after the Board or the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent Incentive Targets were achieved, but no later than March 15 following the end of the calendar year for which the Bonus Amount, if any, was earned.

 

(d)       All amounts payable to Executive as compensation hereunder shall be subject to all required and customary withholding by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.      Term.

 

(a)       The Employment Period shall begin on the Effective Date and terminate (any such termination, a “Separation”) on the earliest to occur of Executive’s (i) resignation with or without Good Reason, (ii) death or Disability or (iii) termination by the Company at any time (with or without Cause). Except as otherwise permitted or provided herein, any termination of the Employment Period by the Company shall be effective as of the date specified in a written notice from the Company to Executive.

 

(b)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or upon Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination or resignation, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated, and Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, bonus, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as follows:

 

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(i)       (x) if and only if Executive has executed and delivered to the Company a general release, in form annexed as Exhibit A hereto or as approved by the Board from time to time (the “General Release”), and the General Release has become effective and is no longer subject to revocation, and only so long as Executive has not revoked or breached the provisions of the General Release and does not apply for unemployment compensation chargeable to the Company or any Subsidiary during the Severance Period, and (y) subject to the terms and conditions of Section 6, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 12 months of Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as special severance payments from the date of such termination for a period of 24 months after the date of such termination without Cause or resignation with Good Reason (the “Severance Period”).

 

(ii)       Except as provided in Section 4(b)(i), Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits after termination of the Employment Period, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(c)       If the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above due to Executive’s death or Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary through the date of such termination, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated. Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(d)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company for Cause or is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(i) above due to Executive’s resignation without Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination and shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(e)       Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all of Executive’s rights to salary, bonuses, employee benefits and other compensation hereunder which would have accrued or become payable after the termination of the Employment Period shall cease upon such termination or expiration, other than those expressly required under applicable law (such as COBRA). Nothing contained herein is intended to limit or otherwise restrict the availability of any COBRA benefits to Executive required to be provided pursuant to Section 601 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in Section 6, the Company may offset any amounts Executive owes it or its Subsidiaries against any amounts it or its Subsidiaries owes Executive hereunder.

 

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(f)       “Cause” shall mean with respect to Executive one or more of the following: (i) the conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) the commission of any act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud, including with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their customers or suppliers; (iii) reporting to work under the impairment of alcohol or drugs, or the use of illegal drugs (whether or not at the workplace) or other conduct causing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm; (iv) failure to perform all material duties as reasonably directed by the Board; (v) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not resulting in a disadvantage or detriment to the Company and its Subsidiaries; (vi) breach of any duty, gross negligence, or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vii) any other material breach of this Agreement.

 

(g)       “Disability” shall mean Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of Executive’s position with the Company and its Subsidiaries for a period of 90 consecutive days or for a total of 180 days during any 12-month period as a result of any mental or physical illness, disability or incapacity even with reasonable accommodations for such illness, disability or incapacity provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable, all as determined by the Board in its reasonable good faith judgment; provided that if any such Disability would not be a “disability” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, no payment shall be made hereunder as a result of any such Disability that would be deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A. Executive shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether Executive has become disabled (including submitting to reasonable examinations by one or more medical doctors and other health care specialists and authorizing such medical doctors and other health care specialists to discuss Executive’s condition with the Company).

 

(h)       “Good Reason” shall mean if Executive resigns from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the end of the Employment Period as a result of one or more of the following reasons: (i) the Company reduces the amount of the Base Salary without Executive’s consent other than as part of a reduction in the salaries of the Company’s executive team as a whole with such reduction being in the same proportion as the reductions applied to the other executive team members’ base salaries; or (ii) the Company materially diminishes Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that written notice of Good Reason must be delivered to the Company within 30 days after the occurrence of any such event in order for Executive’s resignation with Good Reason to be effective hereunder and the Company must have failed to cure such event, to the extent curable, within 60 days following receipt of such notice.

 

(i)       “Person” means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, investment fund, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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(j)       “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (iii) the management is otherwise controlled directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such Person. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Section 5.      Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound, (ii) except as otherwise disclosed herein, Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, non-compete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person, business or entity or any agreement or contract requiring Executive to assign inventions to another party, (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and (iv) Executive is not subject to any pending, or to Executive’s knowledge any threatened, lawsuit, action, investigation or proceeding, including with respect to Executive’s prior employment or consulting work or the use of any information or techniques of any former employer or contracting party. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that Executive has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, including Section 7, Section 17, and Section 20, which have been reviewed in full and consented to, and that Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Section 6      Deferred Compensation Matters.

 

(a)       It is the intent of the Company and Executive that the payments and benefits under this Agreement shall comply with Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Code Section 409A”), and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or for any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

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(b)       A termination of the Employment Period 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 Code Section 409A, and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination”, “termination of the Employment Period”, “termination of employment” or similar terms shall mean “separation from service.”

 

(c)       Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if the Executive is deemed on the date of termination of the Employment Period to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A, then each of the following shall apply:

 

(i)       With regard to any payment that is considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive, and (B) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”) to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6 (whether otherwise payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided for in accordance with the normal payment dates specified herein; and

 

(ii)       To the extent that any benefits to be provided during the Delay Period are considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” and such benefits are not otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A, Executive shall pay the cost of such benefits during the Delay Period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits upon expiration of the Delay Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(d)       To the extent that severance payments or benefits pursuant to this Agreement are conditioned upon the execution and delivery by the Executive of the General Release, Executive shall forfeit all rights to such payments and benefits unless such release is signed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following the date of the termination of the Employment Period. If the General Release is executed and delivered and no longer subject to revocation as provided in the preceding sentence, then the following shall apply:

 

(i)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are not “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall commence upon the first scheduled payment date immediately after the date the General Release is executed and no longer subject to revocation (the “Release Effective Date”). The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the Release Effective Date shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

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(ii)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall be made or commence upon the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination of the Employment Period. The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement had such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the first such payment shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

The Company may provide, in its sole discretion, that Executive may continue to participate in any benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 6 during the period of such delay; provided that Executive shall bear the full cost of such benefits during such delay period. Upon the date such benefits would otherwise commence pursuant to this Section 6, the Company may reimburse Executive for the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, in each case had such benefits commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the schedule and procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(e)       To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, (i) all such expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive, (ii) any right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(f)       For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the Company’s sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset, counterclaim or recoupment by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

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Section 7.      Non-Compete and Non-solicitation.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is conducted in North America (collectively, the “Territory”), (ii) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ reputation and goodwill are an integral part of its business success throughout the Territory, (iii) Executive is familiar with certain of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined herein) concerning the Company and its affiliates, (iv) Executive’s services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (v) if Executive were to deprive the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of such goodwill or in any manner utilizes such reputation and goodwill in competition with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company will be deprived of the benefits it has bargained for in this Agreement. Accordingly, in order to protect such trade secrets, Confidential Information and goodwill as well as the value of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and as a condition to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees that, so long as Executive is employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and continuing for the period beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation and ending upon the second anniversary of such Separation (the “Non-compete Period”), Executive shall not, anywhere in the Territory, directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, be employed in an executive, managerial or administrative capacity by, or in any manner engage in any business that reasonably purports to compete with the material lines of businesses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such businesses (i) currently exist or are currently in the active process of development and (ii) exist or are in the active process of development during Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no participation in the business of such corporation.

 

(b)       During the Non-compete Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to leave the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries within one year prior to the time such employee was hired by Executive (directly or indirectly through another person or entity) or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, referral source, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 7, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

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Section 8.      Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges that the information, observations and data (including trade secrets) obtained by Executive concerning the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether obtained before or after the date of this Agreement, (“Confidential Information”) are the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive agrees not to disclose to any person or entity or use for Executive’s own (or other Person’s) purposes any Confidential Information or any confidential or proprietary information of other persons or entities in the possession of the Company and its affiliates (“Third Party Information”), without the prior written consent of the Board unless and to the extent that the Confidential Information or Third Party Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s direct or indirect acts or omissions. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination or expiration of Executive’s employment, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer files, disks and tapes, printouts and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to Third Party Information, Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(b)       Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications and copyrightable work (whether or not including any Confidential Information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether before or after the date of this Agreement (“Work Product”), belong to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after Executive’s employment) to establish and confirm such ownership (including assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). Executive acknowledges that all Work Product shall be deemed to constitute “works made for hire” under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 8, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

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Section 9.      Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 7 or Section 8 of this Agreement, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law. Because Executive’s services are unique and because Executive has access to Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto agree that the Company and its Subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm from a breach of Section 8 by Executive and that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach of this Agreement. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). If Executive breaches Section 7, the Executive shall forfeit any further payments under Section 4(b)(i) and the Severance Period shall be deemed to end immediately on the date of such breach, but the Company shall not be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive relief. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement were a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and that the Company would not obtain the benefit of the bargain set forth in this Agreement as specifically negotiated by the parties hereto if Executive breached the provisions of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees (i) that due to the proprietary nature of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable as to time and scope and are necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business, trade secrets and goodwill of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (ii) that Executive has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement with Executive’s legal counsel.

 

Section 10.      Survival. Section 4 through Section 23, inclusive, shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Period.

 

Section 11.      Notices. Any notice to be given under or by reason of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

 

Notices to Executive: At the most recent address on file with the Company,

 

Notices to the Company:

 

EVgo Services LLC

c/o LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC

1700 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: General Counsel

 

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

Milbank LLP

55 Hudson Yards

New York, New York 10001

Attention: William B. Bice, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 822-5622

 

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or mailed.

 

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Section 12.      Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

Section 13.      Complete Agreement. This Agreement and any other agreements expressly referred to herein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

Section 14.      No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. The use of the word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”

 

Section 15.      Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Section 16.      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 heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign Executive’s rights or delegate Executive’s duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign this agreement to any of its affiliates at any time without consent of the Executive.

 

Section 17.      Choice of Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Delaware shall control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all schedules and exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

 

Section 18.      Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the Board) and Executive, and except as expressly provided herein, no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including the Company’s right to terminate the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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Section 19.      Withholding. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise tax or employment taxes (“Taxes”) imposed with respect to Executive’s compensation or other payments from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Executive’s ownership interest in the Company (including wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of equity options and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted equity). In the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not make such deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify the Company and its Subsidiaries for any such Taxes.

 

SECTION 20.   CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, THE DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN DELAWARE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS SECTION 20. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

SECTION 21.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL), THE COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE EACH EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 22.      Corporate Opportunity. Executive shall submit to the Board all business, commercial and investment opportunities, and all offers presented to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware at any time during the Employment Period, which relate to the business of the Company as it is conducted during the Employment Period (“Corporate Opportunities”). Unless approved by the Board, Executive shall not accept or pursue, directly or indirectly, any Corporate Opportunities on Executive’s own behalf.

 

Section 23.      Executive’s Cooperation. During the Employment Period and thereafter, Executive shall cooperate with the Company and its Subsidiaries in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding or any dispute with a third party as reasonably requested by the Company (including Executive being available to the Company for interviews and factual investigations, appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into Executive’s possession).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  EVgo Services LLC
     
     
  By: /s/ David Nanus
  Name: Davis Nanus
  Its: EVP

 

  /s/ Catherine Zoi
  Catherine Zoi

 

Signature Page to Employment Agreement

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE

 

I, Catherine Zoi, in consideration of and subject to the performance by EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), of its obligations under my employment agreement, effective as of January , 2020 (the “Employment Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company, all of its Subsidiaries and affiliates, and all present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees, partners, members, successors and assigns of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its affiliates and the Company’s direct or indirect owners, including but not limited to EVgo Holdings, LLC (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below.

 

1.       I acknowledge and represent that I have received all payments and benefits that I am entitled to receive (as of the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by the Company.

 

2.       Except as provided in paragraph 5 below and except for the provisions of the Employment Agreement that expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

 

3.       I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4.       I expressly acknowledge that I am familiar with Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:

 

 

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

I expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights and benefits which I may have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and any similar laws to the fullest extent possible.

 

5.       I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

6.       I agree that I am waiving all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, attorneys’ fees and any form of injunctive relief). Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law (including, without limitation, the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding); provided that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding.

 

7.       In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including, without limitation, those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company or any other Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company or any other Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

8.       I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any other Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

9.       I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or any other Released Parties, I shall pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement).

 

 

 

10.       I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I shall instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties (and each affiliate and person acting on behalf of any such party) agree that each party (and each employee, representative, and other agent of such party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of this transaction contemplated in the Agreement and all materials of any kind (including, without limitation, opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party or such person relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, but solely to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws. This authorization is not intended to permit disclosure of any other information including (without limitation) (i) any portion of any materials to the extent not related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction, (ii) the identities of participants or potential participants in the Agreement, (iii) any financial information (except to the extent such information is related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction), or (iv) any other term or detail not relevant to the tax treatment or the tax structure of this transaction.

 

11.       The non-disclosure provisions in this General Release do not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., any other self-regulatory organization or governmental entity.

 

12.       I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to, making myself available to the Company and its Subsidiaries for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company and its Subsidiaries pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession.

 

13.       I agree not to disparage the Company, its and its Subsidiaries’ past and present investors, officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all confidential and proprietary information about the past or present business affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and its affiliates confidential unless a prior written release from the Company is obtained. I further agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, which I possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to, company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies, compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other data.

 

 

 

14.       Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Employment Agreement after the date hereof.

 

15.       Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT: I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING BY MEANS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _______________ __, _______ TO CONSIDER IT AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE _______________ ___, _______ VERSION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND SHALL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD OR I HAVE ELECTED TO SIGN THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE END OF SUCH 21-DAY PERIOD;

 

I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY ATTORNEY RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

 

 

I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

DATE:

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

AND

 

OLGA SHEVORENKOVA

 

JANUARY 15, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
Section 1. Employment 2
Section 2. Position and Duties 2
Section 3. Compensation and Benefits 3
Section 4. Term 3
Section 5. Executive’s Representations 6
Section 6. Deferred Compensation Matters 6
Section 7. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation 9
Section 8. Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights 10
Section 9. Enforcement 10
Section 10. Survival 11
Section 11. Notices 11
Section 12. Severability 12
Section 13. Complete Agreement 12
Section 14. No Strict Construction 12
Section 15. Counterparts 12
Section 16. Successors and Assigns 12
Section 17. Choice of Law 12
Section 18. Amendment and Waiver 12
Section 19. Withholding 13
SECTION 20. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 13
SECTION 21. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 13
Section 22. Corporate Opportunity 14
Section 23. Executive’s Cooperation 14

 

 

 

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of January 15, 2020 and is effective as of the date of the closing (the “Closing” or the “Effective Date”) of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among EVgo Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo MergerCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (and any successor thereto, the “Company”), and the other parties thereto, dated as of December 19, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and Olga Shevorenkova (“Executive”). In the event that the Closing does not occur or the Merger Agreement is otherwise terminated or abandoned prior to the Closing, then this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Employment. The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending as provided in Section 4 (the “Employment Period”).

 

Section 2. Position and Duties.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities, functions and authority of the Chief Financial Officer, subject to the power and authority of EVgo Holding, LLC’s (“Holdings”) board of managers (the “Board”) and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority generally consistent with Executive’s position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall render such executive and managerial services to the Company and its Subsidiaries which are consistent with Executive’s position, as the Board or the CEO may from time to time direct.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the CEO and shall devote Executive’s best efforts and Executive’s full business time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties, responsibilities and functions for the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, legal, professional and efficient manner and shall comply with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ policies and procedures in all material respects. In performing Executive’s duties and exercising Executive’s authority under the Agreement, Executive shall support and implement the business and strategic plans approved from time to time by the Board and shall support and cooperate with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ efforts to expand their businesses and operate profitably and in conformity with the business and strategic plans approved by the Board. So long as Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, accept other employment or perform other services for compensation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall not serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise perform services for compensation for, any other person or entity without the prior written consent of the Board; provided that Executive may serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise participate in, solely educational, welfare, social, religious, not-for-profit and civic organizations so long as such activities do not interfere with Executive’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 3. Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive’s base salary shall be $300,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”), which salary shall be payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices in effect from time to time. During the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending December 31, 2020, the Base Salary shall be pro rated on an annualized basis. In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries are generally eligible, including vacation and paid time off, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and policies.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

 

(c)       Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive payment (the “Bonus Amount”) based on a target bonus opportunity of 75% of Base Salary based upon Executive’s performance and the Company’s achievement of certain objectives as determined by the CEO (the “Incentive Targets”). The Bonus Amount, if any, shall be paid to the Executive within 30 days after the Board or the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent Incentive Targets were achieved, but no later than March 15 following the end of the calendar year for which the Bonus Amount, if any, was earned.

 

(d)       All amounts payable to Executive as compensation hereunder shall be subject to all required and customary withholding by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4. Term.

 

(a)       The Employment Period shall begin on the Effective Date and terminate (any such termination, a “Separation”) on the earliest to occur of Executive’s (i) resignation with or without Good Reason, (ii) death or Disability or (iii) termination by the Company at any time (with or without Cause). Except as otherwise permitted or provided herein, any termination of the Employment Period by the Company shall be effective as of the date specified in a written notice from the Company to Executive.

 

(b)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or upon Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination or resignation, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated, and Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, bonus, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as follows:

 

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(i)       (x) if and only if Executive has executed and delivered to the Company a general release, in form annexed as Exhibit A hereto or as approved by the Board from time to time (the “General Release”), and the General Release has become effective and is no longer subject to revocation, and only so long as Executive has not revoked or breached the provisions of the General Release and does not apply for unemployment compensation chargeable to the Company or any Subsidiary during the Severance Period, and (y) subject to the terms and conditions of Section 6, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to six months of Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as special severance payments from the date of such termination for a period of 24 months after the date of such termination without Cause or resignation with Good Reason (the “Severance Period”).

 

(ii)       Except as provided in Section 4(b)(i), Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits after termination of the Employment Period, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(c)       If the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above due to Executive’s death or Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary through the date of such termination, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated. Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(d)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company for Cause or is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(i) above due to Executive’s resignation without Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination and shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(e)       Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all of Executive’s rights to salary, bonuses, employee benefits and other compensation hereunder which would have accrued or become payable after the termination of the Employment Period shall cease upon such termination or expiration, other than those expressly required under applicable law (such as COBRA). Nothing contained herein is intended to limit or otherwise restrict the availability of any COBRA benefits to Executive required to be provided pursuant to Section 601 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in Section 6, the Company may offset any amounts Executive owes it or its Subsidiaries against any amounts it or its Subsidiaries owes Executive hereunder.

 

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(f)       “Cause” shall mean with respect to Executive one or more of the following: (i) the conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) the commission of any act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud, including with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their customers or suppliers; (iii) reporting to work under the impairment of alcohol or drugs, or the use of illegal drugs (whether or not at the workplace) or other conduct causing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm; (iv) failure to perform all material duties as reasonably directed by the CEO; (v) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not resulting in a disadvantage or detriment to the Company and its Subsidiaries; (vi) breach of any duty, gross negligence, or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vii) any other material breach of this Agreement.

 

(g)       “Disability” shall mean Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of Executive’s position with the Company and its Subsidiaries for a period of 90 consecutive days or for a total of 180 days during any 12-month period as a result of any mental or physical illness, disability or incapacity even with reasonable accommodations for such illness, disability or incapacity provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable, all as determined by the Board in its reasonable good faith judgment; provided that if any such Disability would not be a “disability” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, no payment shall be made hereunder as a result of any such Disability that would be deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A. Executive shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether Executive has become disabled (including submitting to reasonable examinations by one or more medical doctors and other health care specialists and authorizing such medical doctors and other health care specialists to discuss Executive’s condition with the Company).

 

(h)       “Good Reason” shall mean if Executive resigns from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the end of the Employment Period as a result of one or more of the following reasons: (i) the Company reduces the amount of the Base Salary without Executive’s consent other than as part of a reduction in the salaries of the Company’s executive team as a whole with such reduction being in the same proportion as the reductions applied to the other executive team members’ base salaries; or (ii) the Company materially diminishes Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that written notice of Good Reason must be delivered to the Company within 30 days after the occurrence of any such event in order for Executive’s resignation with Good Reason to be effective hereunder and the Company must have failed to cure such event, to the extent curable, within 60 days following receipt of such notice.

 

(i)       “Person” means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, investment fund, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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(j)       “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (iii) the management is otherwise controlled directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such Person. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Section 5. Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound, (ii) except as otherwise disclosed herein, Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, non-compete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person, business or entity or any agreement or contract requiring Executive to assign inventions to another party, (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and (iv) Executive is not subject to any pending, or to Executive’s knowledge any threatened, lawsuit, action, investigation or proceeding, including with respect to Executive’s prior employment or consulting work or the use of any information or techniques of any former employer or contracting party. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that Executive has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, including Section 7, Section 17, and Section 20, which have been reviewed in full and consented to, and that Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Section 6 Deferred Compensation Matters.

 

(a)       It is the intent of the Company and Executive that the payments and benefits under this Agreement shall comply with Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Code Section 409A”), and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or for any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

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(b)       A termination of the Employment Period 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 Code Section 409A, and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination”, “termination of the Employment Period”, “termination of employment” or similar terms shall mean “separation from service.”

 

(c)       Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if the Executive is deemed on the date of termination of the Employment Period to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A, then each of the following shall apply:

 

(i)       With regard to any payment that is considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive, and (B) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”) to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6 (whether otherwise payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided for in accordance with the normal payment dates specified herein; and

 

(ii)       To the extent that any benefits to be provided during the Delay Period are considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” and such benefits are not otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A, Executive shall pay the cost of such benefits during the Delay Period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits upon expiration of the Delay Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(d)       To the extent that severance payments or benefits pursuant to this Agreement are conditioned upon the execution and delivery by the Executive of the General Release, Executive shall forfeit all rights to such payments and benefits unless such release is signed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following the date of the termination of the Employment Period. If the General Release is executed and delivered and no longer subject to revocation as provided in the preceding sentence, then the following shall apply:

 

(i)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are not “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall commence upon the first scheduled payment date immediately after the date the General Release is executed and no longer subject to revocation (the “Release Effective Date”). The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the Release Effective Date shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

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(ii)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall be made or commence upon the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination of the Employment Period. The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement had such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the first such payment shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

The Company may provide, in its sole discretion, that Executive may continue to participate in any benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 6 during the period of such delay; provided that Executive shall bear the full cost of such benefits during such delay period. Upon the date such benefits would otherwise commence pursuant to this Section 6, the Company may reimburse Executive for the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, in each case had such benefits commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the schedule and procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(e)       To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, (i) all such expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive, (ii) any right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(f)       For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the Company’s sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset, counterclaim or recoupment by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

8 

 

 

Section 7. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is conducted in North America (collectively, the “Territory”), (ii) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ reputation and goodwill are an integral part of its business success throughout the Territory, (iii) Executive is familiar with certain of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined herein) concerning the Company and its affiliates, (iv) Executive’s services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (v) if Executive were to deprive the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of such goodwill or in any manner utilizes such reputation and goodwill in competition with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company will be deprived of the benefits it has bargained for in this Agreement. Accordingly, in order to protect such trade secrets, Confidential Information and goodwill as well as the value of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and as a condition to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees that, so long as Executive is employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and continuing for the period beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation and ending upon the second anniversary of such Separation (the “Non-compete Period”), Executive shall not, anywhere in the Territory, directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, be employed in an executive, managerial or administrative capacity by, or in any manner engage in any business that reasonably purports to compete with the material lines of businesses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such businesses (i) currently exist or are currently in the active process of development and (ii) exist or are in the active process of development during Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no participation in the business of such corporation.

 

(b)       During the Non-compete Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to leave the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries within one year prior to the time such employee was hired by Executive (directly or indirectly through another person or entity) or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, referral source, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 7, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

9 

 

 

Section 8. Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges that the information, observations and data (including trade secrets) obtained by Executive concerning the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether obtained before or after the date of this Agreement, (“Confidential Information”) are the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive agrees not to disclose to any person or entity or use for Executive’s own (or other Person’s) purposes any Confidential Information or any confidential or proprietary information of other persons or entities in the possession of the Company and its affiliates (“Third Party Information”), without the prior written consent of the Board unless and to the extent that the Confidential Information or Third Party Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s direct or indirect acts or omissions. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination or expiration of Executive’s employment, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer files, disks and tapes, printouts and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to Third Party Information, Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(b)       Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications and copyrightable work (whether or not including any Confidential Information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether before or after the date of this Agreement (“Work Product”), belong to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after Executive’s employment) to establish and confirm such ownership (including assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). Executive acknowledges that all Work Product shall be deemed to constitute “works made for hire” under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 8, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

Section 9. Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 7 or Section 8 of this Agreement, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law. Because Executive’s services are unique and because Executive has access to Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto agree that the Company and its Subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm from a breach of Section 8 by Executive and that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach of this Agreement. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). If Executive breaches Section 7, the Executive shall forfeit any further payments under Section 4(b)(i) and the Severance Period shall be deemed to end immediately on the date of such breach, but the Company shall not be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive relief. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement were a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and that the Company would not obtain the benefit of the bargain set forth in this Agreement as specifically negotiated by the parties hereto if Executive breached the provisions of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees (i) that due to the proprietary nature of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable as to time and scope and are necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business, trade secrets and goodwill of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (ii) that Executive has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement with Executive’s legal counsel.

 

10 

 

 

Section 10. Survival. Section 4 through Section 23, inclusive, shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Period.

 

Section 11. Notices. Any notice to be given under or by reason of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

 

Notices to Executive: At the most recent address on file with the Company,

 

Notices to the Company:

 

EVgo Services LLC

c/o LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC

1700 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: General Counsel

 

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

Milbank LLP

55 Hudson Yards

New York, New York 10001

Attention: William B. Bice, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 822-5622

 

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or mailed.

 

11 

 

 

Section 12. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

Section 13. Complete Agreement. This Agreement and any other agreements expressly referred to herein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

Section 14. No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. The use of the word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”

 

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Section 16. 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 heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign Executive’s rights or delegate Executive’s duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign this agreement to any of its affiliates at any time without consent of the Executive.

 

Section 17. Choice of Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Delaware shall control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all schedules and exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

 

Section 18. Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the Board) and Executive, and except as expressly provided herein, no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including the Company’s right to terminate the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

 

12 

 

 

Section 19. Withholding. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise tax or employment taxes (“Taxes”) imposed with respect to Executive’s compensation or other payments from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Executive’s ownership interest in the Company (including wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of equity options and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted equity). In the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not make such deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify the Company and its Subsidiaries for any such Taxes.

 

SECTION 20. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, THE DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN DELAWARE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS SECTION 20. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

SECTION 21. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL), THE COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE EACH EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

13 

 

 

Section 22. Corporate Opportunity. Executive shall submit to the Board all business, commercial and investment opportunities, and all offers presented to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware at any time during the Employment Period, which relate to the business of the Company as it is conducted during the Employment Period (“Corporate Opportunities”). Unless approved by the Board, Executive shall not accept or pursue, directly or indirectly, any Corporate Opportunities on Executive’s own behalf.

 

Section 23. Executive’s Cooperation. During the Employment Period and thereafter, Executive shall cooperate with the Company and its Subsidiaries in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding or any dispute with a third party as reasonably requested by the Company (including Executive being available to the Company for interviews and factual investigations, appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into Executive’s possession).

 

14 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  EVgo Services LLC
   
  By: /s/ David Nanus
  Name: Davis Nanus
  Its: EVP
   
  /s/ Olga Shevorenkova
  Olga Shevorenkova

 

Signature Page to Employment Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE

 

I, Olga Shevorenkova, in consideration of and subject to the performance by EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), of its obligations under my employment agreement, effective as of January 15, 2020 (the “Employment Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company, all of its Subsidiaries and affiliates, and all present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees, partners, members, successors and assigns of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its affiliates and the Company’s direct or indirect owners, including but not limited to EVgo Holdings, LLC (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below.

 

1.       I acknowledge and represent that I have received all payments and benefits that I am entitled to receive (as of the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by the Company.

 

2.       Except as provided in paragraph 5 below and except for the provisions of the Employment Agreement that expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

 

3.       I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4.       I expressly acknowledge that I am familiar with Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:

 

 

 

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

I expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights and benefits which I may have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and any similar laws to the fullest extent possible.

 

5.       I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

6.       I agree that I am waiving all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, attorneys’ fees and any form of injunctive relief). Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law (including, without limitation, the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding); provided that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding.

 

7.       In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including, without limitation, those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company or any other Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company or any other Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

8.       I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any other Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

9.       I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or any other Released Parties, I shall pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement).

 

 

 

 

10.       I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I shall instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties (and each affiliate and person acting on behalf of any such party) agree that each party (and each employee, representative, and other agent of such party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of this transaction contemplated in the Agreement and all materials of any kind (including, without limitation, opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party or such person relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, but solely to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws. This authorization is not intended to permit disclosure of any other information including (without limitation) (i) any portion of any materials to the extent not related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction, (ii) the identities of participants or potential participants in the Agreement, (iii) any financial information (except to the extent such information is related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction), or (iv) any other term or detail not relevant to the tax treatment or the tax structure of this transaction.

 

11.       The non-disclosure provisions in this General Release do not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., any other self-regulatory organization or governmental entity.

 

12.       I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to, making myself available to the Company and its Subsidiaries for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company and its Subsidiaries pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession.

 

13.       I agree not to disparage the Company, its and its Subsidiaries’ past and present investors, officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all confidential and proprietary information about the past or present business affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and its affiliates confidential unless a prior written release from the Company is obtained. I further agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, which I possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to, company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies, compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other data.

 

 

 

 

14.       Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Employment Agreement after the date hereof.

 

15.       Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT: I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING BY MEANS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _______________ __, _______ TO CONSIDER IT AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE _______________ ___, _______ VERSION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND SHALL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD OR I HAVE ELECTED TO SIGN THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE END OF SUCH 21-DAY PERIOD;

 

I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY ATTORNEY RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

 

 

 

I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

DATE:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.13

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

AND

 

IVO STEKLAC

 

JANUARY 15, 2020

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
Section 1. Employment 2
Section 2. Position and Duties 2
Section 3. Compensation and Benefits 3
Section 4. Term 3
Section 5. Executive’s Representations 6
Section 6. Deferred Compensation Matters 6
Section 7. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation 9
Section 8. Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights 10
Section 9. Enforcement 11
Section 10. Survival 11
Section 11. Notices 11
Section 12. Severability 12
Section 13. Complete Agreement 12
Section 14. No Strict Construction 12
Section 15. Counterparts 12
Section 16. Successors and Assigns 12
Section 17. Choice of Law 12
Section 18. Amendment and Waiver 12
Section 19. Withholding 13
SECTION 20. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 13
SECTION 21. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 13
Section 22. Corporate Opportunity 14
Section 23. Executive’s Cooperation 14

 

i

 

 

EVGO SERVICES LLC

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of January 15, 2020 and is effective as of the date of the closing (the “Closing” or the “Effective Date”) of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among EVgo Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo MergerCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (and any successor thereto, the “Company”), and the other parties thereto, dated as of December 19, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”), between the Company and Ivo Steklac (“Executive”). In the event that the Closing does not occur or the Merger Agreement is otherwise terminated or abandoned prior to the Closing, then this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.       Employment. The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending as provided in Section 4 (the “Employment Period”).

 

Section 2.       Position and Duties.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities, functions and authority of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, subject to the power and authority of EVgo Holding, LLC’s (“Holdings”) board of managers (the “Board”) and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority generally consistent with Executive’s position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall render such executive and managerial services to the Company and its Subsidiaries which are consistent with Executive’s position, as the Board or the CEO may from time to time direct.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the CEO and shall devote Executive’s best efforts and Executive’s full business time and attention (except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties, responsibilities and functions for the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder to the best of Executive’s abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, legal, professional and efficient manner and shall comply with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ policies and procedures in all material respects. In performing Executive’s duties and exercising Executive’s authority under the Agreement, Executive shall support and implement the business and strategic plans approved from time to time by the Board and shall support and cooperate with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ efforts to expand their businesses and operate profitably and in conformity with the business and strategic plans approved by the Board. So long as Executive is employed by the Company, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, accept other employment or perform other services for compensation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall not serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise perform services for compensation for, any other person or entity without the prior written consent of the Board and except as set forth on Exhibit B; provided that Executive may serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise participate in, solely educational, welfare, social, religious, not-for-profit and civic organizations so long as such activities do not interfere with Executive’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 3.       Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)       During the Employment Period, Executive’s base salary shall be $309,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”), which salary shall be payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s general payroll practices in effect from time to time. During the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending December 31, 2020, the Base Salary shall be pro rated on an annualized basis. In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries are generally eligible, including vacation and paid time off, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and policies.

 

(b)       During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

 

(c)       Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive payment (the “Bonus Amount”) based on a target bonus opportunity of 50% of Base Salary based upon Executive’s performance and the Company’s achievement of certain objectives as determined by the CEO (the “Incentive Targets”). The Bonus Amount, if any, shall be paid to the Executive within 30 days after the Board or the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent Incentive Targets were achieved, but no later than March 15 following the end of the calendar year for which the Bonus Amount, if any, was earned.

 

(d)       All amounts payable to Executive as compensation hereunder shall be subject to all required and customary withholding by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.       Term.

 

(a)       The Employment Period shall begin on the Effective Date and terminate (any such termination, a “Separation”) on the earliest to occur of Executive’s (i) resignation with or without Good Reason, (ii) death or Disability or (iii) termination by the Company at any time (with or without Cause). Except as otherwise permitted or provided herein, any termination of the Employment Period by the Company shall be effective as of the date specified in a written notice from the Company to Executive.

 

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(b)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or upon Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination or resignation, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated, and Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, bonus, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as follows:

 

(i)       (x) if and only if Executive has executed and delivered to the Company a general release, in form annexed as Exhibit A hereto or as approved by the Board from time to time (the “General Release”), and the General Release has become effective and is no longer subject to revocation, and only so long as Executive has not revoked or breached the provisions of the General Release and does not apply for unemployment compensation chargeable to the Company or any Subsidiary during the Severance Period, and (y) subject to the terms and conditions of Section 6, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to six months of Executive’s Base Salary then in effect, payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as special severance payments from the date of such termination for a period of 24 months after the date of such termination without Cause or resignation with Good Reason (the “Severance Period”).

 

(ii)       Except as provided in Section 4(b)(i), Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits after termination of the Employment Period, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(c)       If the Employment Period is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above due to Executive’s death or Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary through the date of such termination, including any portion of a Bonus Amount earned but unpaid for any previously ended fiscal year as provided in Section 3(c) that would have payable to Executive if the Employment Period had not been so terminated. Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(d)       If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company for Cause or is terminated pursuant to clause (a)(i) above due to Executive’s resignation without Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive Executive’s Base Salary and employee benefits through the date of such termination and shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided for under the Company’s employee benefit plans or as expressly required by applicable law.

 

(e)       Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all of Executive’s rights to salary, bonuses, employee benefits and other compensation hereunder which would have accrued or become payable after the termination of the Employment Period shall cease upon such termination or expiration, other than those expressly required under applicable law (such as COBRA). Nothing contained herein is intended to limit or otherwise restrict the availability of any COBRA benefits to Executive required to be provided pursuant to Section 601 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in Section 6, the Company may offset any amounts Executive owes it or its Subsidiaries against any amounts it or its Subsidiaries owes Executive hereunder.

 

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(f)       “Cause” shall mean with respect to Executive one or more of the following: (i) the conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) the commission of any act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud, including with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their customers or suppliers; (iii) reporting to work under the impairment of alcohol or drugs, or the use of illegal drugs (whether or not at the workplace) or other conduct causing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm; (iv) failure to perform all material duties as reasonably directed by the CEO; (v) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not resulting in a disadvantage or detriment to the Company and its Subsidiaries; (vi) breach of any duty, gross negligence, or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vii) any other material breach of this Agreement.

 

(g)       “Disability” shall mean Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of Executive’s position with the Company and its Subsidiaries for a period of 90 consecutive days or for a total of 180 days during any 12-month period as a result of any mental or physical illness, disability or incapacity even with reasonable accommodations for such illness, disability or incapacity provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable, all as determined by the Board in its reasonable good faith judgment; provided that if any such Disability would not be a “disability” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, no payment shall be made hereunder as a result of any such Disability that would be deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A. Executive shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether Executive has become disabled (including submitting to reasonable examinations by one or more medical doctors and other health care specialists and authorizing such medical doctors and other health care specialists to discuss Executive’s condition with the Company).

 

(h)       “Good Reason” shall mean if Executive resigns from employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the end of the Employment Period as a result of one or more of the following reasons: (i) the Company reduces the amount of the Base Salary without Executive’s consent other than as part of a reduction in the salaries of the Company’s executive team as a whole with such reduction being in the same proportion as the reductions applied to the other executive team members’ base salaries; or (ii) the Company materially diminishes Executive’s duties or responsibilities; provided that written notice of Good Reason must be delivered to the Company within 30 days after the occurrence of any such event in order for Executive’s resignation with Good Reason to be effective hereunder and the Company must have failed to cure such event, to the extent curable, within 60 days following receipt of such notice.

 

(i)       “Person” means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, investment fund, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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(j)       “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (iii) the management is otherwise controlled directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such Person. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control any managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Section 5.       Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound, (ii) except as otherwise disclosed herein, Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, non-compete agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person, business or entity or any agreement or contract requiring Executive to assign inventions to another party, (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and (iv) Executive is not subject to any pending, or to Executive’s knowledge any threatened, lawsuit, action, investigation or proceeding, including with respect to Executive’s prior employment or consulting work or the use of any information or techniques of any former employer or contracting party. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that Executive has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, including Section 7, Section 17, and Section 20, which have been reviewed in full and consented to, and that Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Section 6       Deferred Compensation Matters.

 

(a)       It is the intent of the Company and Executive that the payments and benefits under this Agreement shall comply with Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Code Section 409A”), and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or for any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

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(b)       A termination of the Employment Period 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 Code Section 409A, and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination”, “termination of the Employment Period”, “termination of employment” or similar terms shall mean “separation from service.”

 

(c)       Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if the Executive is deemed on the date of termination of the Employment Period to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A, then each of the following shall apply:

 

(i)       With regard to any payment that is considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive, and (B) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”) to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6 (whether otherwise payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided for in accordance with the normal payment dates specified herein; and

 

(ii)       To the extent that any benefits to be provided during the Delay Period are considered “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” and such benefits are not otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A, Executive shall pay the cost of such benefits during the Delay Period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits upon expiration of the Delay Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(d)       To the extent that severance payments or benefits pursuant to this Agreement are conditioned upon the execution and delivery by the Executive of the General Release, Executive shall forfeit all rights to such payments and benefits unless such release is signed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following the date of the termination of the Employment Period. If the General Release is executed and delivered and no longer subject to revocation as provided in the preceding sentence, then the following shall apply:

 

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(i)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are not “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall commence upon the first scheduled payment date immediately after the date the General Release is executed and no longer subject to revocation (the “Release Effective Date”). The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the Release Effective Date shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

(ii)       To the extent any such cash payments or continuing benefits to be provided are “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, then such payments or benefits shall be made or commence upon the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination of the Employment Period. The first such cash payment shall include all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior thereto under the terms of this Agreement had such payments commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period, and any payments made after the first such payment shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following the termination of the Employment Period.

 

The Company may provide, in its sole discretion, that Executive may continue to participate in any benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 6 during the period of such delay; provided that Executive shall bear the full cost of such benefits during such delay period. Upon the date such benefits would otherwise commence pursuant to this Section 6, the Company may reimburse Executive for the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits, to the extent that such costs would otherwise have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits would otherwise have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, in each case had such benefits commenced immediately upon the termination of the Employment Period. Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the schedule and procedures specified in this Agreement.

 

(e)       To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, (i) all such expenses or other reimbursements under this Agreement shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive, (ii) any right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(f)       For purposes of Code Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., “payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following the date of termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the Company’s sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset, counterclaim or recoupment by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

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Section 7.       Non-Compete and Non-solicitation.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is conducted in North America (collectively, the “Territory”), (ii) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ reputation and goodwill are an integral part of its business success throughout the Territory, (iii) Executive is familiar with certain of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ trade secrets and with other Confidential Information (as defined herein) concerning the Company and its affiliates, (iv) Executive’s services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (v) if Executive were to deprive the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of such goodwill or in any manner utilizes such reputation and goodwill in competition with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company will be deprived of the benefits it has bargained for in this Agreement. Accordingly, in order to protect such trade secrets, Confidential Information and goodwill as well as the value of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and as a condition to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees that, so long as Executive is employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and continuing for the period beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation and ending upon the second anniversary of such Separation (the “Non-compete Period”), Executive shall not, anywhere in the Territory, directly or indirectly own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, be employed in an executive, managerial or administrative capacity by, or in any manner engage in any business that reasonably purports to compete with the material lines of businesses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such businesses (i) currently exist or are currently in the active process of development and (ii) exist or are in the active process of development during Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no participation in the business of such corporation.

 

(b)       During the Non-compete Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to leave the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries within one year prior to the time such employee was hired by Executive (directly or indirectly through another person or entity) or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, referral source, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 7, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

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Section 8.       Confidential Information, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(a)       Executive acknowledges that the information, observations and data (including trade secrets) obtained by Executive concerning the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether obtained before or after the date of this Agreement, (“Confidential Information”) are the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive agrees not to disclose to any person or entity or use for Executive’s own (or other Person’s) purposes any Confidential Information or any confidential or proprietary information of other persons or entities in the possession of the Company and its affiliates (“Third Party Information”), without the prior written consent of the Board unless and to the extent that the Confidential Information or Third Party Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s direct or indirect acts or omissions. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination or expiration of Executive’s employment, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer files, disks and tapes, printouts and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to Third Party Information, Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control.

 

(b)       Executive acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications and copyrightable work (whether or not including any Confidential Information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether before or after the date of this Agreement (“Work Product”), belong to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and, at the Company’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after Executive’s employment) to establish and confirm such ownership (including assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). Executive acknowledges that all Work Product shall be deemed to constitute “works made for hire” under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.

 

(c)       For purposes of this Section 8, the term “Company” shall also include Holdings.

 

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Section 9.       Enforcement. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 7 or Section 8 of this Agreement, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by law. Because Executive’s services are unique and because Executive has access to Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto agree that the Company and its Subsidiaries would suffer irreparable harm from a breach of Section 8 by Executive and that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach of this Agreement. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). If Executive breaches Section 7, the Executive shall forfeit any further payments under Section 4(b)(i) and the Severance Period shall be deemed to end immediately on the date of such breach, but the Company shall not be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive relief. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement were a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and that the Company would not obtain the benefit of the bargain set forth in this Agreement as specifically negotiated by the parties hereto if Executive breached the provisions of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees (i) that due to the proprietary nature of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable as to time and scope and are necessary to ensure the preservation, protection and continuity of the business, trade secrets and goodwill of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (ii) that Executive has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement with Executive’s legal counsel.

 

Section 10.       Survival. Section 4 through Section 23, inclusive, shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Period.

 

Section 11.       Notices. Any notice to be given under or by reason of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

 

Notices to Executive: At the most recent address on file with the Company,

 

Notices to the Company:

 

EVgo Services LLC

c/o LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC

1700 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: General Counsel

 

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

Milbank LLP

55 Hudson Yards

New York, New York 10001

Attention: William B. Bice, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 822-5622

 

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or mailed.

 

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Section 12.       Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

Section 13.       Complete Agreement. This Agreement and any other agreements expressly referred to herein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

Section 14.       No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. The use of the word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation.”

 

Section 15.       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Section 16.       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 heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign Executive’s rights or delegate Executive’s duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign this agreement to any of its affiliates at any time without consent of the Executive.

 

Section 17.       Choice of Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Delaware shall control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all schedules and exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

 

Section 18.       Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the Board) and Executive, and except as expressly provided herein, no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including the Company’s right to terminate the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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Section 19.       Withholding. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise tax or employment taxes (“Taxes”) imposed with respect to Executive’s compensation or other payments from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Executive’s ownership interest in the Company (including wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of equity options and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted equity). In the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not make such deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify the Company and its Subsidiaries for any such Taxes.

 

SECTION 20.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, THE DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN DELAWARE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS SECTION 20. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

SECTION 21.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL), THE COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE EACH EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 22.       Corporate Opportunity. Executive shall submit to the Board all business, commercial and investment opportunities, and all offers presented to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware at any time during the Employment Period, which relate to the business of the Company as it is conducted during the Employment Period (“Corporate Opportunities”). Unless approved by the Board, Executive shall not accept or pursue, directly or indirectly, any Corporate Opportunities on Executive’s own behalf.

 

Section 23.       Executive’s Cooperation. During the Employment Period and thereafter, Executive shall cooperate with the Company and its Subsidiaries in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory or judicial investigation or proceeding or any dispute with a third party as reasonably requested by the Company (including Executive being available to the Company for interviews and factual investigations, appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into Executive’s possession).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  EVgo Services LLC
     
     
  By: /s/ David Nanus
  Name: Davis Nanus
  Its: EVP

 

 

  /s/ Ivo Steklac
  Ivo Steklac

 

Signature Page to Employment Agreement

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE

 

I, Ivo Steklac, in consideration of and subject to the performance by EVgo Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), of its obligations under my employment agreement, effective as of January 15, 2020 (the “Employment Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company, all of its Subsidiaries and affiliates, and all present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees, partners, members, successors and assigns of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its affiliates and the Company’s direct or indirect owners, including but not limited to EVgo Holdings, LLC (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below.

 

1.       I acknowledge and represent that I have received all payments and benefits that I am entitled to receive (as of the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by the Company.

 

2.       Except as provided in paragraph 5 below and except for the provisions of the Employment Agreement that expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company and its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

 

3.       I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4.       I expressly acknowledge that I am familiar with Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:

 

 

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

I expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights and benefits which I may have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and any similar laws to the fullest extent possible.

 

5.       I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

6.       I agree that I am waiving all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, attorneys’ fees and any form of injunctive relief). Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law (including, without limitation, the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding); provided that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding.

 

7.       In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including, without limitation, those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company or any other Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company or any other Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

8.       I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any other Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

9.       I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or any other Released Parties, I shall pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the Section 4(b) of the Employment Agreement).

 

 

 

10.       I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I shall instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the parties (and each affiliate and person acting on behalf of any such party) agree that each party (and each employee, representative, and other agent of such party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of this transaction contemplated in the Agreement and all materials of any kind (including, without limitation, opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party or such person relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, but solely to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws. This authorization is not intended to permit disclosure of any other information including (without limitation) (i) any portion of any materials to the extent not related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction, (ii) the identities of participants or potential participants in the Agreement, (iii) any financial information (except to the extent such information is related to the tax treatment or tax structure of this transaction), or (iv) any other term or detail not relevant to the tax treatment or the tax structure of this transaction.

 

11.       The non-disclosure provisions in this General Release do not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., any other self-regulatory organization or governmental entity.

 

12.       I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to, making myself available to the Company and its Subsidiaries for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company and its Subsidiaries pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession.

 

13.       I agree not to disparage the Company, its and its Subsidiaries’ past and present investors, officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all confidential and proprietary information about the past or present business affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and its affiliates confidential unless a prior written release from the Company is obtained. I further agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, which I possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to, company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies, compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other data.

 

 

 

14.       Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Employment Agreement after the date hereof.

 

15.       Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT: I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING BY MEANS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _______________ __, _______ TO CONSIDER IT AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE _______________ ___, _______ VERSION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND SHALL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD OR I HAVE ELECTED TO SIGN THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE END OF SUCH 21-DAY PERIOD;

 

I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY ATTORNEY RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

 

 

I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

DATE:

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

PERMITTED OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

 

Executive is permitted to engage with the following organizations in the capacities listed below so long as such engagements do not (individually or in the aggregate) involve more than a de minimis amount of time, do not interfere with Executive's duties to the Company or create a conflict of interest, and so long as the following organizations are not in competition with the Company. Any increase in Executive's engagement with the following organizations to a more than a de minimis level will require the prior consent of the Board.

 

· Potential startup (non-registered entity) working on human motion recognition and assessment for performance enhancement, injury prevention, and injury recovery

 

· Board of Directors of InfiSwift, a Bay Area IoT and Machine Learning company focused on real-time industrial applications

 

· Startup/incubation mentor/advisor directly or via angel investing networks such as Rockies Venture Club (RVC)

 

· Industry advisor (automotive, autonomous vehicles) to Key Bank Mosaic program

 

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

EVgo Inc.
CODE OF CONDUCT
(Adopted as of July 1, 2021)

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EVgo Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Conduct (this “Code”), which provides basic principles and guidelines to assist directors, officers and other employees in complying with the legal and ethical requirements governing the Company’s business conduct. This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures but does not cover every issue that may arise.

 

The Company reserves the right to add to, modify and rescind this Code or any portion of it at any time. This Code governs in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this Code and any other materials distributed by the Company. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law.

 

You should read this Code carefully, ask questions of the Company’s Chief Legal Officer, and promptly acknowledge receipt of this Code in accordance with the Company’s electronic certification procedures.

 

The Company’s Chief Legal Officer is responsible for ensuring that all of the Company’s directors, officers and other employees promptly acknowledge receipt of this Code.

 

I. Statement of Principles

 

A. Basic Standards

 

The Company’s fundamental policy is to conduct its business with honesty and integrity in accordance with the highest legal and ethical standards. The Company and its directors, officers and other employees must comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations of the United States and each other country in which the Company conducts business, as well as with the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”).

 

B. Individual Responsibility and Compliance

 

This Code provides guidance for specific situations that may arise. However, each director, officer and employee has the responsibility to exercise good judgment so as to act in a manner that will reflect favorably upon the Company and the individual.

 

Each director, officer and employee must accept accountability for adherence to this Code. The Company’s directors, officers and other employees must comply with the spirit as well as the letter of this Code. Directors, officers and other employees must not attempt to achieve indirectly, through the use of agents or other intermediaries, what is prohibited directly by this Code.

 

 

 

 

It is the Company’s policy to promote prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to the following: (a) for directors and officers, including but not limited to the Chief Legal Officer, to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”), and (b) for other employees, to the Chief Legal Officer or the Chairman of the Audit Committee (each a “Compliance Officer”). Employees will not be penalized for good faith reporting of violations or suspected violations of this Code or for cooperating with any Company investigation. Retaliation and threats of retaliation, against any employee who reports, participates or assists in, an investigation of a suspected violation, are prohibited and disciplinary action, including dismissal of any officer or other employee where warranted, will be taken if the Board determines that any such retaliation or threat of retaliation has taken place. However, persons that knowingly make a report that is false or that willfully disregard its truth or accuracy, or engage in any other bad faith use of the reporting system, will be deemed to be in violation of the Company’s policies. A reporting person should make full disclosure of all pertinent facts and circumstances, taking care to distinguish between matters that are certain and matters that are suspicions, worries or speculation, and also taking care to avoid premature conclusions or alarmist statements since the situation may involve circumstances unknown to the reporting person. If the situation so requires, the reporting person may report anonymously.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Code is to be interpreted or applied in any way that prohibits, restricts or interferes with an employee’s (a) exercise of rights provided under, or participation in, “whistleblower” programs of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other applicable regulatory agency or governmental entity (each, a “Government Body”), or (b) good faith reporting of possible violations of applicable law to any Government Body, including cooperating with a Government Body in any governmental investigation regarding possible violations of applicable law.

 

II. Implementation

 

A. Condition of Employment

 

Each employee must become familiar with and agree to comply with this Code as a condition of such employee’s employment. All officers and other employees, regardless of level, must be provided with a copy of this Code at the time their employment commences with the Company; provided, however, that individuals already employed by the Company at the time of the adoption of this Code must be provided with a copy of this Code shortly after its adoption. All managers are responsible both for encouraging all employees under their supervision, regardless of level, to be familiar with this Code and for promoting compliance with this Code.

 

B. Condition of Director Appointment/Election

 

Each director must become familiar with and agree to comply with this Code. All directors must be provided with a copy of this Code at the time of their appointment or election to serve on the Board.

 

C. Association with Unaffiliated Enterprises

 

The Company’s employees associated or doing business on behalf of the Company with enterprises not controlled by the Company must be guided in their conduct by this Code’s provisions. Such persons should encourage such enterprises to conduct their activities in conformity with all applicable laws and the spirit of this Code and must report any action or suspected action that would constitute a violation of this Code to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer.

 

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D. Interpretation Questions

 

Directors, officers or other employees who have questions on how to proceed or interpret this Code should consult their supervisor, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer or any other person(s) designated by the Board to supervise the application of this Code. In addition, please see Annex A for a listing of compliance procedures.

 

E. Violation of Policy

 

Compliance with this Code is essential. Violations will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal of any officer or other employee where warranted.

 

III. Conflicts of Interest

 

A. General

 

It is Company policy to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships. A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company as a whole. This situation can arise when a director, officer or other employee takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. It is important to remember that a conflict of interest can exist even where both the Company and the individual benefit. Conflicts of interest also arise when a director, officer or other employee, or a member of such person’s family or household, receives improper personal benefits as a result of the director’s, officer’s or other employee’s position with the Company. A conflict of interest is deemed to exist whenever, as a result of the nature or responsibilities of his or her relationship with the Company, a director, officer or other employee is in a position to further any personal financial interest or the financial interest of any member of such person’s family.

 

No director, officer or other employee, regardless of level, is permitted to engage in any business or conduct or enter into any agreement or arrangement that would give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest. Directors, officers and other employees should not permit themselves to be placed in a position that might give rise to the appearance that a conflict of interest has arisen.

 

While it is not possible to describe all circumstances where a conflict of interest involving a director, officer or employee exists or may exist, the following situations may involve actual or potential conflicts of interest:

 

· An officer’s or employee’s interest in, or position with, any supplier, customer or competitor of the Company (except for an investment in publicly traded securities as described below).

 

· The acceptance of gifts or favors of more than nominal value by a director, officer or employee (or a member of such person’s immediate family) from an actual or prospective customer, supplier or competitor of the Company or any governmental official or other employee. This does not preclude the acceptance by a director, officer or employee of reasonable business entertainment (such as a lunch or dinner or events involving normal sales promotion, advertising or publicity).

 

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· The disclosure or use of confidential information gained by reason of employment with the Company (or, in the case of a director, election or appointment to the Board) for profit or advantage by a director, officer or other employee or anyone else.

 

· Competition with the Company in the acquisition or disposition of rights or property.

 

The following situations shall not be considered conflicts of interest:

 

· Ownership of publicly traded securities of a supplier, customer or competitor of the Company that do not confer upon the holder any ability to influence or direct the policies or management of the supplier, customer or competitor.

 

· A transaction with one of the Company’s banks, where the transaction is customary and conducted on standard commercially available terms (such as a home mortgage or bank loan).

 

· A transaction or relationship disclosed in accordance with this Code and determined by outside legal counsel not to be a prohibited conflict of interest.

 

These examples are given only to guide directors, officers and other employees in making judgments about conflicts of interest. If any director, officer or employee finds himself or herself in a situation where a conflict of interest exists or may exist, he or she should immediately report the matter as provided below.

 

B. Reporting Conflicts of Interest Involving Non-Officer Employees

 

Actual or potential conflicts of interest involving a non-officer employee, or a member of such person’s immediate family, must be reported in writing by the affected person (or by others having knowledge of the existence of the actual or potential conflicts of interest) to the employee’s immediate supervisor, who shall consult with the Company’s Chief Legal Officer to determine whether a conflict of interest actually exists and to recommend measures to be taken to neutralize the adverse effect of the conflict of interest reported, if such measures are available or appropriate under the circumstances. This procedure will be applied so as to minimize its effect on the personal affairs of employees consistent with the protection of the Company’s interests. The matter may also be referred to the Board for its approval or rejection.

 

C. Reporting Conflicts of Interest Involving Directors or Officers

 

An actual or potential conflict of interest involving a director or officer, or a member of such person’s immediate family, must be reported by the affected person (or by others having knowledge of the existence of the actual or potential conflict of interest) to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer, who shall promptly disclose the possible conflict of interest to the Board at the earliest time practicable under the circumstances. The possible conflict of interest will be made a matter of record, and the Board will determine whether the possible conflict of interest indeed constitutes a conflict of interest. The Board’s approval will be required prior to the consummation of any proposed transaction or arrangement that is determined by the Board to constitute a conflict of interest.

 

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Any member of the Board or any officer having a possible conflict of interest in any proposed transaction or arrangement is not permitted to vote (in the case of a member of the Board) or use his or her personal influence on the matter being considered by the Board. Any member of the Board having a possible conflict of interest is not counted in determining the quorum for consideration and vote on the particular matter. Finally, any member of the Board or any officer having a possible conflict of interest must be excused from any meeting of the Board during discussion (subject to the exception set forth in the paragraph below) and vote on the particular matter (in the case of an interested director). The minutes of the Board meeting should reflect the disclosure, the absence from the meeting of the interested director or officer, the abstention from voting (in the case of an interested director) and the presence of a quorum. The proposed transaction or arrangement is considered approved if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board (even though the disinterested members are less than a quorum).

 

The foregoing requirements do not prohibit the interested director or officer from briefly stating his or her position on the matter or from answering pertinent questions of the disinterested members of the Board, as the interested director’s knowledge may be of assistance to the other Board members in their consideration of the matter.

 

IV. Record Keeping

 

A. Company Books and Records

 

1.            Books and Records. The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. As such, the Company’s books, records and accounts must accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions in reasonable detail and in accordance with the Company’s accounting practices and policies. The following examples are given for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the generality of the foregoing in any way:

 

· No false or deliberately inaccurate entries (such as overbilling or advance billing) are permitted. Discounts, rebates, credits and allowances do not constitute overbilling when lawfully granted. The reasons for the grant should generally be set forth in the Company’s records, including the party requesting the treatment.

 

· No payment shall be made with the intention or understanding that all or any part of it is to be used for any person other than that described by the documents supporting the payment.

 

· No undisclosed, unrecorded or “off-book” funds or assets are permitted.

 

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· No false or misleading statements, written or oral, shall be intentionally made to any internal accountant or auditor or the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company’s financial statements or documents to be filed with the SEC or other governmental authority.

 

2.            Internal Accounting Controls. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that:

 

· Transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization;

 

· Transactions are recorded as necessary to: (a) permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or any other applicable criteria and (b) maintain accountability for assets;

 

· Access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and

 

· The recorded accountability of assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

3.            Employee Conduct. No director, officer or other employee of the Company is permitted to willfully, directly or indirectly:

 

· Falsify, or cause to be falsified, any book, record or account of the Company;

 

· Make, or cause to be made, any materially false or misleading statement or omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which the statements were made, not misleading to an accountant in connection with (a) any audit or examination of the Company’s financial statements or (b) the preparation or filing of any document or report required to be filed by the Company with the SEC or other governmental agency; or

 

· Take any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Director, officers and other employees must exercise reasonable due diligence in order to avoid the events described above. If an employee believes that the Company’s books and records are not being maintained in accordance with these requirements, the employee should follow the procedures outlined in the Company’s Policy for Employee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Compliance Matters.

 

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B. Payments of Amounts Due to Customers, Agents or Distributors

 

1.            Payments for Third Party Services. All commission, distributor or agency arrangements shall be in writing and provide for the services to be performed and for a fee that is reasonable in amount and reasonably related to the services to be rendered.

 

2.            Manner of Payment. All payments for commissions, discounts or rebates should be made by the Company’s check, draft or wire (not by cashier’s check or in currency) in the name of the agent, distributor or customer and should be (a) personally delivered to the payee in the country in which the business was transacted or (b) sent to the payee’s business address or designated bank in the country in which the business was transacted.

 

3.            Payments Outside the United States. When the payee represents in writing or presents a written opinion from a reputable local counsel that a payment outside the country in which the business was transacted does not violate any law of that country, that payment may be permitted upon approval from the Company’s principal financial officer or other applicable officer.

 

4.            Credit Memoranda. Credit memoranda are the preferred method of effecting a rebate and generally should be issued to the customer unless the Company’s check or draft (not a cashier’s check or currency) is necessary due to the nature of the transaction. Any check or draft should refer to the sales invoices involved and indicate the amount of discount or rebate and number of units.

 

5.            Accounting Records. All payments or discounts, rebates and commissions shall be disclosed in the Company’s accounting records. Proper documentation of contracts and agreements shall be maintained.

 

C. Foreign Payments

 

The Company and its directors, officers and other employees must comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which makes it illegal for U.S. companies to win, retain or direct business by offering, paying or approving payments to foreign government workers, political parties or their officials. For additional information, please contact the Company’s Chief Legal Officer.

 

V. Use of Company Property and Resources

 

A. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

 

The use of any Company funds or assets for any unlawful or improper purpose is prohibited. All employees should endeavor to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be reported immediately for investigation. Company equipment should not be used for non-business related purposes, though incidental personal use may be permitted (such as occasional use of the Company’s stationery, supplies, copying facilities or telephone when the cost to the Company is insignificant).

 

7

 

 

The obligation of employees to protect the Company’s assets includes an obligation to protect the Company’s proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information violates Company policy and could also be illegal and result in civil or criminal penalties.

 

B. Questionable or Improper Payments and Gifts

 

1.            Payments or Gifts Made. No payments or gifts from the Company’s funds or assets shall be made to or for the benefit of a representative of any domestic or foreign government (or subdivision thereof), labor union or any current or prospective customer or supplier for the purpose of improperly obtaining a desired government action or any sale, purchase, contract or other commercial benefit. This prohibition applies to direct or indirect payments made through third parties and employees and is also intended to prevent bribes, kickbacks or any other form of payoff.

 

2.            Payments or Gifts Received. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company shall not accept payments or gifts of the kinds described in this Section V.

 

3.            Gifts to Government Personnel. In the United States, nothing of value (for example, gifts or entertainment) may be provided to government personnel unless permitted by law and any applicable regulation. Commercial business entertainment and transportation that is reasonable in nature, frequency and cost is permitted. Reasonable business entertainment or transportation includes, without limitation, a lunch, dinner or occasional athletic or cultural event; gifts of nominal value (approximately $100 or less); entertainment at the Company’s facilities or other authorized facilities; or authorized and reasonable transportation in the Company’s vehicles. In addition, reasonable business entertainment covers traditional promotional events sponsored by the Company.

 

4.            Proper Documentation. All arrangements with third parties (such as distributors or agents) should be evidenced or memorialized in a written contract, order or other document that describes the goods or services that are in fact to be performed or provided and should be for reasonable fees or costs.

 

5.            Extension of Credit by the Company. No director, officer or employee may seek or accept from the Company credit, an extension of credit or the arrangement of an extension of credit in the form of a personal loan. Any personal loan existing at the time of adoption of this Code shall not be materially modified, extended or renewed.

 

C. Corporate Opportunities

 

Without the written consent of the Board, but subject to Article Fourteenth of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, directors, officers and other employees are prohibited from taking for themselves an opportunity that is (1) a potential transaction or matter that may be an investment or business opportunity or prospective economic or competitive advantage in which the Company could reasonably have an interest or expectancy or (2) discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position. In addition, but subject to Article Fourteenth of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, directors, officers and other employees are prohibited from using corporate property, information or position for improper personal gain, and competing with the Company directly or indirectly. Subject to Article Fourteenth of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, directors, officers and employees owe a primary duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.

 

8

 

 

VI. Business and Trade Practices

 

A. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations (Including Insider Trading Laws)

 

1.            Compliance with Laws. Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation upon which the Company’s ethical standards are built. All directors, officers and other employees must respect and obey the laws of the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates. Although directors, officers and other employees are not expected to know every law that is applicable to the Company, it is important that directors, officers and other employees know enough to ask questions and seek advice from supervisors, managers, lawyers or other appropriate personnel if they have any doubt regarding the legality of an action taken, or not taken, on behalf of the Company. For this reason, the Company periodically organizes information and training sessions to promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company and all invited employees are expected to attend these information and training sessions.

 

2.            Insider Trading. Purchasing or selling, whether directly or indirectly, the Company’s securities while in possession of material non-public information is both unethical and illegal. Directors, officers and other employees also are prohibited by law from disclosing material non-public information to others who might use the information to directly or indirectly place trades in the Company’s securities. Directors, officers and other employees also shall not recommend the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities. All directors, officers and other employees shall comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy.

 

3.            Section 16 Reporting. Pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, most purchases or sales of the Company’s securities by directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders must be disclosed within two business days of the transaction. Directors, officers and other employees who are subject to these reporting requirements must comply with the Company’s Short-Swing Trading and Reporting Policy.

 

B. Fair Dealing

 

Directors, officers and other employees should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No director, officer or other employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other practice involving unfair dealing.

 

9

 

 

C. Confidentiality

 

Directors, officers and other employees shall maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information that, if disclosed, might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers. Confidential information also includes written material provided and information discussed at all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof and all information that is learned about the Company’s suppliers and customers that is not in the public domain. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment or agency with the Company ends. Any documents, papers, records or other tangible items that contain trade secrets or proprietary information are the Company’s property.

 

D. Health, Safety and Environmental Policy

 

The Company is committed to conducting its business in compliance with applicable health, safety and environmental laws, rules and regulations in a manner that has the highest regard for the health and safety of human life and the environment. Each employee has the responsibility for maintaining a healthy, safe and environmentally-friendly workplace by following health, safety and environmental laws, rules and regulations and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.

 

Directors, officers and other employees should be aware that health and safety laws may provide for significant civil and criminal penalties against individuals and the Company for the failure to comply with applicable requirements. Accordingly, each director, officer and other employee must comply with all applicable safety and health laws, rules and regulations, including occupational safety and health standards.

 

Directors, officers and other employees should be aware that environmental laws may provide for significant civil and criminal penalties against individuals and/or the Company for failure to comply with applicable requirements. Accordingly, each director, officer and other employee must comply with all applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations.

 

Employees should report to work in a condition allowing them to perform their duties free from the influence of drugs, alcohol or other controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.

 

Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted.

 

E. Retention of Documents and Records

 

It is the Company’s policy to cooperate with all governmental investigative authorities. Each director, officer and other employee shall retain any record, document or tangible object of the Company that is known to be the subject of an investigation or litigation.

 

It is a violation of this Code for any director, officer or other employee to knowingly alter, destroy, mutilate, conceal, cover up, falsify or make a false entry in any record, document or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any state, federal department or agency or any bankruptcy or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case.

 

10

 

 

VII. Preparation and Certification of 1934 Act Reports

 

A. Internal Control Report

 

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K shall, when and to the extent required, contain an internal control report that (1) states the responsibility of management for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting; (2) contains an assessment, as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal year, of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting; (3) includes a statement that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on the Company’s internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; (4) includes the report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (5) otherwise complies with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC.

 

B. Disclosure Controls

 

It is the Company’s policy to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company.

 

C. Certifications

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer shall make the certifications required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the text of which are set forth in Item 601(b)(31) and (32) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

 

VIII. Employment Practices and Work Environment

 

A. Employee Relations

 

All directors, officers and other employees, regardless of position, shall do their best to work together to meet the following objectives:

 

· Respect each employee, worker and representative of customers, suppliers and contractors as an individual, showing courtesy and consideration and fostering personal dignity;

 

· Make a commitment to and demonstrate equal treatment of all employees, workers, customers, suppliers and contractors of the Company without regard to race, color, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service or reserve or veteran status, sexual orientation or disability;

 

· Provide a workplace free of harassment of any kind, including on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service or reserve or veteran status, sexual orientation or disability;

 

· Provide and maintain a safe, healthy and orderly workplace; and

 

11

 

 

· Assure uniformly fair compensation and benefit practices that will attract, reward and retain quality employees.

 

In addition to the objectives set forth above, members of the management team are expected to:

 

· Use good judgment and exercise appropriate use of their influence and authority in their interactions with employees, customers, suppliers, contractors and partners of the Company; and

 

· Keep other employees generally informed of the Company’s policies, plans and progress through regular communications.

 

B. Non-Discrimination Policy

 

The Company values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing an equal opportunity in all aspects of employment to all employees without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service or reserve or veteran status, sexual orientation or disability. Directors, officers and other employees should use reasonable efforts to seek business partners for the Company that do not discriminate in hiring or in their employment practices, and who make decisions about hiring, salary, benefits, training opportunities, work assignments, advancement, discipline, termination and retirement solely on the basis of a person’s ability to perform the tasks required by their position.

 

C. Freedom of Association

 

The Company recognizes and respects the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association, including joining or electing not to join any association. The Company expects its business partners to also adhere to these principles.

 

D. Disciplinary Practices

 

The Company will not condone any type of harassment, abuse or punishment, whether corporal, mental or physical, of an employee by a director, officer or other employee or any partner, customer or supplier of the Company.

 

IX. Political Contributions

 

A. Federal Elections

 

The Company encourages the personal and financial participation of its directors, officers and other employees in federal, state and local elective processes. Federal law prohibits the Company from making any direct contribution or expenditure to a candidate or candidate’s campaign in any federal election. Although there are exceptions, most states also prohibit the use of corporate treasury funds to influence state elections.

 

12

 

 

B. Political Contributions in U.S. Elections

 

It is the Company’s policy not to make direct or indirect political contributions in support of any party or candidate in any U.S. election, whether federal, state or local, except as stated above. For the purposes of this policy, the purchase of tickets for dinners, advertising in political program booklets, use of the Company’s duplicating facilities, compensated employee activity, employee contributions reimbursed through expense accounts and similar donations in kind are considered political contributions. These are merely examples of political contributions, and the preceding list is not intended to be exhaustive.

 

C. Political Contributions in State and Local Elections

 

The Company may on occasion contribute to state and local office candidate committees and to state and local initiatives or referendum campaigns where the Company’s interests are directly involved and where permitted by state and local law. Proposed political contributions require a brief description of the purpose of the proposed contribution and a written legal opinion that confirms that the proposed contribution is lawful under all applicable laws. The documentation for proposed contributions shall be approved in advance by the Company’s Chairman of the Board to ensure full compliance with applicable state and local regulations and reporting requirements.

 

D. Political Action Committees

 

To the extent permitted by law, the Company’s resources may be used to establish and administer a political action committee or separate segregated fund. All proposed activities shall be submitted for review and approval by the Board prior to their implementation.

 

E. Foreign Elections

 

In countries where corporate political contributions are permitted by law and encouraged by local custom, contributions may be appropriate and are permitted where approved by the proper corporate officer and the Board.

 

X. Violations

 

The Company proactively promotes ethical behavior. Each person is accountable for his or her compliance with this Code, and violations may result in disciplinary action against the violator, up to and including dismissal from employment when deemed appropriate.

 

Directors, officers and other employees should promptly report violations of applicable laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”)), this Code or any other code, policy or procedure of the Company to the appropriate Compliance Officer or follow the procedures outlined in the Company’s Whistleblower Policy (as appropriate). Any violation of this Code will be judged by the Compliance Officer on its own merits considering the duties of the person and the significance of the circumstances involved. Directors, officers and other employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.

 

13

 

 

XI. Waivers of this Code

 

Any waiver of a provision of this Code may be made only by the Board. Persons seeking a waiver should be prepared to disclose all pertinent facts and circumstances, respond to inquiries for additional information, explain why the waiver is necessary, appropriate, or in the best interest of the Company, and be willing to comply with any procedures that may be required to protect the Company in connection with a waiver. Any waiver for directors or executive officers must be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the NASDAQ listing requirements, and in any case within four business days after the occurrence of the event. The disclosure must also provide the reasons for the waiver.

 

XII. Amendments to this Code

 

Any amendment to this Code shall be made only by the Board. If an amendment to this Code is made, appropriate disclosure will be made within two business days after the amendment has been made in accordance with legal requirements and the listing requirements of the NASDAQ.

 

XIII. Posting Requirement

 

The Company shall post this Code on the Company’s website as required by applicable rules and regulations. In addition, the Company shall disclose in its proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders or, if the Company does not file a proxy statement, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, that a copy of this Code is available both in print to any stockholder who requests it and on the Company’s website, which address the Company shall provide.

 

* * *

 

This document states a policy of EVgo Inc. and is not intended to be regarded as the rendering of legal advice.

 

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Annex A
CODE OF CONDUCTCOMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

 

Directors, officers and other employees must work together to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of the Code. However, a director, officer or other employee may encounter a situation in which it is difficult to determine how to proceed while also complying with the Code. Since not every situation that will arise can be anticipated, it is important to have a way to approach a new question or problem. When considering these situations, a director, officer or other employee should:

 

1.            Make sure to have all the facts. In order to reach the right solution, all relevant information must be known. However, you should avoid doing your own investigation.

 

2.            Consider what he or she specifically is being asked to do and whether it seems unethical or improper. This will enable the individual to focus on the specific question and the alternatives he or she has. If something seems unethical or improper, it probably is.

 

3.            Understand his or her individual responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. Are others informed and/or involved?

 

4.            Discuss the problem with a supervisor. In many cases, supervisors will be more knowledgeable about the question and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Employees should remember that it is the responsibility of supervisors to help solve problems and ensure that the Company complies with this Code.

 

5.            Seek help from Company resources. In the rare case in which it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with a supervisor or a supervisor is not available to answer a question, employees should discuss it locally with the office manager or Human Resources manager. If that is not appropriate or if a satisfactory resolution is not obtained, call or send concerns to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer or follow the procedures outlined in the Company’s Whistleblower Policy.

 

6.            Report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If the situation so requires, anonymity will be protected to the extent possible. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind for good faith reports of ethical violations.

 

7.            Always ask first, act later. When unsure of what to do in any situation, the individual should seek guidance and ask questions before the action in question is taken.

 

A-1

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

July 8, 2021

 

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have read EVgo Inc.’s (formerly known as Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation) statements included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated July 8, 2021. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on July 1, 2021, following completion of the Company’s quarterly review for the period ended June 30, 2021, which consists only of the accounts of the pre-Business Combination Special Purpose Acquisition Company. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

 

New York, New York

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

EVGO INC.

 

Subsidiaries

 

Company   Jurisdiction of Organization
CRIS Thunder Merger LLC   Delaware
EVgo OpCo, LLC   Delaware
EVgo HoldCo, LLC   Delaware
EVgo Services, LLC   Delaware
EVgo Ride Share, LLC   Delaware

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms included below shall have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in the Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 8, 2021.

 

Introduction

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. For each of the periods presented, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects the combination of historical financial information of EVgo and CRIS, adjusted to give effect to (1) CRIS’s initial public offering (which was completed on October 2, 2020, as further explained below), concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase its Class A common stock and payment of offering expenses and (2) the Business Combination, the PIPE, the payment of transaction costs associated therewith and the cash settlement of certain obligations in accordance with CRIS’s initial public offering (for purposes of this Exhibit 99.1, collectively, the “Transactions”). For purposes of this Exhibit 99.1, EVgo and CRIS are collectively referred to as the “Companies,” and the Companies, subsequent to the Business Combination, are referred to herein as the “Combined Company.”

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the Combined Company subsequent to completion of the Transactions. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet, which has been presented for the Combined Company as of March 31, 2021, gives effect to the Transactions as if they were consummated on March 31, 2021, excluding the IPO (which was completed on October 2, 2020). The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations, which have been presented for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, give pro forma effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet does not purport to represent, and is not necessarily indicative of, what the actual financial condition of the Combined Company would have been had the Transactions taken place on March 31, 2021, nor is it indicative of the financial condition of the Combined Company as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations do not purport to represent, and are not necessarily indicative of, what the actual results of operations of the Combined Company would have been had the Transactions taken place on January 1, 2020, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of operations of the Combined Company for any future period.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the following historical financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference:

 

  The unaudited historical consolidated financial statements of EVgo as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the audited historical consolidated financial statements of EVgo as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which combine the predecessor and successor periods; and
     
  The unaudited historical condensed financial statements of CRIS as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the audited historical financial statements of CRIS as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

 

This unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read together with the sections of the Proxy Statement entitled “EVgo Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “CRIS Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Proposal No. 1— The Business Combination Proposal,” as well as other information included elsewhere in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of the Transactions

 

CRIS was formed as a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. CRIS completed its initial public offering of 23,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit on October 2, 2020 (the “IPO”). Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, CRIS completed a private placement of 6,600,000 warrants issued to the Sponsor, generating total proceeds of $6.6 million. A total of $230 million from the net proceeds of the IPO and the private placement were placed in the Trust Account and are invested in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.

 

On July 1, 2021, CRIS and SPAC Sub consummated the Business Combination with the EVgo Parties, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement amongst the parties dated as of January 21, 2021. With CRIS being the legal acquirer of EVgo, consideration for the Business Combination consisted of shares of CRIS’s common stock and Holdings OpCo Units issued in exchange for all outstanding equity of EVgo. However, for financial reporting purposes, EVgo is deemed the accounting acquirer and CRIS the acquired company. See the “—Accounting for the Business Combination.”

 

 

 

 

The following activities are reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements below (either in the historical results or through pro forma adjustments):

 

  In connection with the IPO:

 

  The issuance by CRIS of 23,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, which includes 11,500,000 redeemable warrants (the “public warrants”), and receipt of proceeds therefrom;

 

  The issuance by CRIS of 6,600,000 redeemable private placement warrants to the Sponsor and receipt of proceeds therefrom;

 

  A total of $230 million of net proceeds from the IPO and the private placement placed in the Trust Account; and

 

  The payment of offering expenses and repayment of a note payable to fund offering expenses.

 

  In connection with the Closing:

 

  The issuance by CRIS of 40,000,000 PIPE Shares and receipt of an aggregate purchase price of $400 million in exchange;

 

  The payment of deferred legal fees, underwriting commissions, and other costs incurred by CRIS in connection with the IPO;

 

  The repayment or conversion to equity of certain of the Companies’ outstanding notes;

 

  The payment of transaction costs incurred by both EVgo and CRIS;

 

  The redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock held by CRIS’s public stockholders (see additional information below);

 

  The conversion of CRIS’s founder shares to shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis (see additional information below);

 

  In the SPAC Contribution, CRIS’s contribution of all of its assets to SPAC Sub, including but not limited to, (1)(A) the proceeds from the Trust Account (net of proceeds used to redeem any of CRIS’s publicly traded shares as described below and the payment of any deferred underwriting fees from the IPO), plus (B) the PIPE Proceeds, plus (C) any cash held by CRIS in any working capital or similar account, less (D) any transaction expenses of CRIS and the EVgo Parties; and (2) the Holdings Class B Shares equal to the 195,800,000 Holdings OpCo Units issued to Holdings under the Business Combination Agreement;

 

  Immediately following the SPAC Contribution, in the Holdings Contribution, Holdings’ contribution to OpCo of all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of EVgo and, in connection therewith, OpCo issues to Holdings the Holdings OpCo Units;

 

  Immediately following the Holdings Contribution, in the SPAC Sub Transfer, SPAC Sub’s transfer to Holdings of the Holdings Class B Shares and the right to enter into the Tax Receivable Agreement;

 

  Immediately following the SPAC Sub Transfer, in the SPAC Sub Contribution, SPAC Sub’s contribution to OpCo of all of its remaining assets in exchange for the issuance by OpCo to SPAC Sub of the Issued OpCo Units; and

 

  Execution of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

Following the Closing, the Combined Company is organized in an “Up-C” structure in which the business of the Company and its subsidiaries are held by OpCo and continue to operate through the subsidiaries of the Company, and in which CRIS’s only direct assets consist of equity interests in SPAC Sub, which, in turn, hold only the Issued OpCo Units. OpCo’s only direct assets consist of its equity interests in the Company. Immediately following the Closing, CRIS, through SPAC Sub, owns approximately 26.0% of the OpCo Units, and SPAC Sub controls OpCo as the sole managing member of OpCo in accordance with the terms of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement. OpCo owns all of the equity interests in the Company. Upon the Closing, CRIS changed its name to “EVgo Inc.” Holdings holds the Holdings OpCo Units and the Holdings Class B Shares.

 

2 

 

 

The amount of cash contributed by SPAC Sub to OpCo at the Closing was approximately $601.6 million. Net cash received after all direct and incremental costs related to the Business Combination were paid was approximately $573.4 million. Immediately following the Business Combination, Holdings held 195,800,000 OpCo Units, representing approximately 74.0% of the total outstanding OpCo Units, and an equal of number of Holdings Class B Shares.

 

Each OpCo Unit, together with one share of Class B common stock, is redeemable, subject to certain conditions, for either one share of Class A common stock, or, at OpCo’s election, the cash equivalent to the market value of one share of Class A common stock, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the OpCo A&R LLC Agreement.

 

Founder Shares

 

The 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock held by the initial stockholders of CRIS (the “founder shares”) converted into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis upon the consummation of the Business Combination, subject to the terms of the Sponsor Agreement as follows:

 

· 75% (4,312,500) of the founder shares (the “Lock-Up Shares”) are subject to a lockup following the Closing until the earlier of (x) 12 months following Closing and (y) the date the Class A common stock trades above $12.00 for 20 out of 30 trading days commencing at least 150 days following the Closing; and

 

· 25% (1,437,500) of the founder shares (the “Earnout Shares”) are subject to an earnout following the Closing as follows: (i) 50% will be forfeited if the Class A common stock fails to trade above $12.50 for 20 out of 30 trading days within the five years following Closing, and (ii) 50% will be forfeited if the Class A common stock fails to trade above $15.00 for 20 out of 30 trading days within the five years following Closing.

 

Based on the above, the founder shares are deemed to be issued and outstanding upon consummation of the Business Combination, including the Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved and thus subject to liability classification (see Note 4 to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information).

 

Accounting for the Business Combination

 

Notwithstanding the legal form of the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Under this method of accounting, CRIS was treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and EVgo was treated as the accounting acquirer. In accordance with this accounting method, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of EVgo issuing stock for the net assets of CRIS, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CRIS were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, and operations prior to the Business Combination are those of EVgo. EVgo has been deemed the accounting acquirer for purposes of the Business Combination based on an evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

  EVgo’s existing equity holders hold a majority ownership interest in the Combined Company;

 

  EVgo’s existing senior management team comprise the senior management of the Combined Company;

 

  EVgo is the larger of the Companies based on historical assets and revenue and employee base; and

 

  EVgo’s operations comprise the ongoing operations of the Combined Company.

 

Following the Closing, the ownership of OpCo by Holdings is represented by non-controlling interests in the Combined Company’s financial statements. Holdings holds a corresponding share of Class B common stock for each OpCo Unit it holds. Each Holdings OpCo Unit can be redeemed for a share of Class A common stock or an approximately equivalent amount of cash and a corresponding share of Class B common stock will be cancelled. Since the cash redemption option is deemed to be outside the control of Combined Company, the non-controlling interests are included in temporary equity in the financial statements of the Combined Company. The non-controlling interests will decrease as OpCo Units are redeemed for shares of Class A common stock and corresponding shares of Class B common stock are cancelled.

 

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

 

In accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, pro forma adjustments to the historical combined financial information of EVgo and CRIS only give effect to events that are both factually supportable and directly attributable to the Transactions.  In addition, for purposes of preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations, adjustments have only been made to give effect to events that are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of the Combined Company following the Business Combination. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any synergies, operating efficiencies, or other benefits that may result from consummation of the Transactions. In addition, EVgo and CRIS have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Therefore, preparation of the accompanying pro forma financial information did not require any adjustments related to such historical transactions.

 

3 

 

 

Pursuant to CRIS’s Current Charter, CRIS’s public stockholders were offered the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock for cash upon consummation of the Business Combination, irrespective of whether they voted for or against the Business Combination. If a public stockholder properly exercised its right to redemption of its shares, CRIS redeemed each share for cash equal to the public stockholder’s pro rata portion of the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to reflect the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock for $132,306.

 

The ownership percentages were 26.0% for controlling interests and 74.0% for non-controlling interests at the Closing, after the redemption of shares of Class A common stock.

 

There are no pro forma adjustments related to the outstanding public warrants and private placement warrants issued in connection with the IPO that are classified as warrant liability in CRIS’s historical balance sheet, as such securities continue to be classified as a liability after the Closing.

 

The following table provides a pro forma summary of the shares of the Combined Company’s common stock that would have been outstanding if the Transactions had occurred on March 31, 2021:

 

    Shares     %  
Stockholder                
EVgo rollover equity (1)     195,800,000       74 %
CRIS's Class A stockholders (2)     22,986,770       9 %
PIPE Investors     40,000,000       15 %
CRIS's converted founder shares (3)     5,750,000       2 %
Closing shares     264,536,770       100 %

 

(1) Represents the shares of Class B common stock issued to Holdings to consummate the Business Combination (classified as non-controlling interests). The pro forma shares attributable to Holdings are calculated by dividing the rollover equity value of $1.985 billion by the per share price of $10.00.

(2) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by CRIS’s public stockholders giving effect to the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock.

(3) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by the initial stockholders of CRIS upon the one-for-one conversion of the founder shares into Class A common stock immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved.

 

The Company considered the income tax impacts and related pro forma adjustments associated with the Transactions, pursuant to which the Combined Company is organized in an “Up-C” structure. A deferred tax asset (“DTA”) was contemplated given the historical net losses of EVgo. However, the DTA has a full valuation allowance, which reduces the balance to zero. Additionally, no tax liability is deemed to have been triggered upon consummation of the Business Combination, including related to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only. The pro forma adjustments represent estimates based on information available as of the date of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and are subject to change as additional information becomes available.  Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are described in the accompanying notes. The actual financial position and results of operations of the Combined Company subsequent to consummation of the Transactions may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein.

 

4 

 

 

PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET 

AS OF MARCH 31, 2021 

(UNAUDITED)

 

    HISTORICAL        
    EVgo     CRIS     Pro Forma Adjustments   Pro Forma
Combined
 
Assets                                  
Current Assets                                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 23,595,141     $ 385,272     $ 573,371,860 (A)   $ 597,352,273  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts     1,989,712       -       -         1,989,712  
Accounts receivable - capital build     4,070,251       -       -         4,070,251  
Receivables from related parties     30,690       -       -         30,690  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     9,257,111       420,646       (5,745,103 ) (I)     3,932,654  
Total current assets     38,942,905       805,918       567,626,757         607,375,580  
Property, plant, and equipment, net     79,111,432       -       -         79,111,432  
Intangible assets, net     65,808,871       -       -         65,808,871  
Goodwill     22,111,166       -       -         22,111,166  
Investments held in Trust Account     -       230,006,837       (230,006,837 ) (C)     -  
Other noncurrent assets     1,372,532       -       -         1,372,532  
Total Assets   $ 207,346,906     $ 230,812,755     $ 337,619,920       $ 775,779,581  
                                   
Liabilities                                  
Current liabilities                                  
Accounts payable   $ 2,835,469     $ -     $ (98,817 ) (G)   $ 2,736,652  
Accrued expenses     12,858,511       2,216,885       (5,516,909 ) (F)(G)     9,558,487  
Deferred revenue, current     2,354,627       -       -         2,354,627  
Customer deposits     6,795,262       -       -         6,795,262  
Note payable - related party     57,040,167       -       (57,040,167 ) (J)     -  
Payables to related parties     1,521,178       -       (41,600 ) (G)     1,479,578  
Capital-build, NEDO buyout liability     660,935       -       -         660,935  
Earnout share liability     -       -       19,765,625 (K)     19,765,625  
Other current liabilities     178,090       -       -         178,090  
Total current liabilities     84,244,239       2,216,885       (42,931,868 )       43,529,256  
Deferred revenue, noncurrent     22,583,999       -       -         22,583,999  
Capital-build liability, excluding NEDO buyout liability     17,403,291       -       -         17,403,291  
Asset retirement obligations     9,758,847       -       -         9,758,847  
Warrant liability     -       61,855,000       -         61,855,000  
Deferred underwriting fee payable     -       8,050,000       (8,050,000 ) (D)     -  
Total liabilities     133,990,376       72,121,885       (50,981,868 )       155,130,393  
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption (M)     -       153,690,860       (153,690,860 ) (L)     -  
Non-controlling interests - Class B (M)     -       -       459,478,720 (L)     459,478,720  
Stockholders’ Equity:                                  
Members' equity     136,348,127       -       (136,348,127 ) (L)     -  
Preferred stock (M)     -       -       -         -  
Class A common stock (M)     -       763       5,967 (L)     6,730  
Founder shares - Class B (M)     -       575       (575 ) (L)     -  
Additional paid-in capital     1,408,631       50,223,046       109,532,061 (L)     161,163,738  
Accumulated deficit     (64,400,228 )     (45,224,374 )     109,624,602 (L)     -  
Total Stockholders’ Equity     73,356,530       5,000,010       82,813,928         161,170,468  
Total Liabilities, Non-controlling Interests and Stockholders' Equity   $ 207,346,906     $ 230,812,755     $ 337,619,920       $ 775,779,581  

 

See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

5 

 

 

PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 

(UNAUDITED)

 

    HISTORICAL          
    EVgo     CRIS     Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Revenue   $ 3,568,795     $ -     $ -       $ 3,568,795    
Revenue from related party     561,700       -       -         561,700    
Total revenue     4,130,495       -       -         4,130,495    
Cost of sales     6,739,547       -       -         6,739,547    
Gross loss     (2,609,052 )     -       -         (2,609,052 )  
                                     
Operating expenses                                    
General and administrative     11,072,993       -       (1,191,467 ) (a)     9,881,526    
Formation and operating costs     -       1,914,450       (1,914,450 ) (a)     -    
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion     2,510,228       -       -         2,510,228    
Total operating expenses     13,583,221       1,914,450       (3,105,917 )       12,391,754    
Operating loss     (16,192,273 )     (1,914,450 )     3,105,917         (15,000,806 )  
                                     
Other (income) expense                                    
Interest income, bank     -       (15 )     -         (15 )  
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account     -       (3,457 )     3,457 (b)     -    
Interest expense, related party     875,784       -       (875,784 ) (c)     -    
Change in fair value of warrant liability     -       29,011,000       -         29,011,000    
Other income, net     (457,888 )     -       -         (457,888 )  
Total other (income) expense, net     417,896       29,007,528       (872,327 )       28,553,097    
Net loss     (16,610,169 )     (30,921,978 )     3,978,244         (43,553,903 )  
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests     -       -       (32,236,933 ) (d)     (32,236,933 )  
Net loss attributable to controlling interests   $ (16,610,169 )   $ (30,921,978 )   $ 36,215,177       $ (11,316,970 )  
                                     
Pro forma net loss per share information:                                    
Weighted average shares outstanding                               68,736,770 (e)
Basic and diluted net loss per share                             $ (0.16 ) (e)

 

See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

6 

 

 

PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

(UNAUDITED)

 

    HISTORICAL        
    EVgo     CRIS*     Pro Forma Adjustments   Pro Forma
Combined
Revenue   $ 13,220,704     $ -     $ -     $ 13,220,704    
Revenue from related party     1,354,994       -       -         1,354,994    
Total revenue     14,575,698       -       -       14,575,698    
Cost of sales     27,188,926       -       -         27,188,926    
Gross loss     (12,613,228 )     -       -         (12,613,228 )  
                                     
Operating expenses                                  
General and administrative     31,765,955       -       (1,051,328 ) (a)     30,714,627    
Formation and operating costs     -       1,009,807       (1,009,807 ) (a)     -    
Transaction bonus     5,316,124       -       -         5,316,124  
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion     9,504,484       -       -         9,504,484    
Total operating expenses     46,586,563       1,009,807       (2,061,135 )       45,535,235    
Operating loss     (59,199,791 )     (1,009,807 )     2,061,135         (58,148,463 )  
                                     
Other (income) expense                                  
Interest income - bank     -       (31 )     -         (31 )  
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account     -       (3,380 )     3,380   (b)     -    
Interest expense - related party     1,414,383       -       (1,414,383 ) (c)     -  
Interest expense - other     90       -       -         90    
Change in fair value of warrant liability     -       13,296,000       -         13,296,000    
Other income - related party     (341,954 )     -       -         (341,954 )  
Other income, net     (12,061,386 )     -       -       (12,061,386 )  
Total other (income) expense, net     (10,988,867 )     13,292,589       (1,411,003 )       892,719    
Net loss     (48,210,924 )     (14,302,396 )     3,472,138         (59,041,182 )  
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests     -       -       (43,700,025 ) (d)     (43,700,025 )  
Net loss attributable to controlling interests   $ (48,210,924 )   $ (14,302,396 )   $ 47,172,163       $ (15,341,157 )  
                                   
Pro forma net loss per share information:                                    
Weighted average shares outstanding                               68,736,770   (e)
Basic and diluted net loss per share                             $ (0.22 ) (e)

 

* Represents CRIS for the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

 

See the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRO FORMA PRESENTATION

 

The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CRIS was treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and EVgo was treated as the accounting acquirer. In accordance with this accounting method, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of EVgo issuing stock for the net assets of CRIS, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of CRIS are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination are those of EVgo.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 give pro forma effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 assumes that the Transactions were completed on March 31, 2021, excluding the IPO (which was completed on October 2, 2020).

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the following historical financial statements and notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference:

 

  The unaudited historical consolidated financial statements of EVgo as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the audited historical consolidated financial statements of EVgo as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which combine the predecessor and successor periods; and

  The unaudited historical condensed financial statements of CRIS as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the audited historical financial statements of CRIS as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from August 4, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020.

 

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. The pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and it is possible the differences may be material. Management believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Transactions based on information available to management as of the date of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, and the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

NOTE 2 – ADJUSTMENTS TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 2021

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 includes the following adjustments:

 

A – Represents the aggregate impact of the following pro forma adjustments to cash to give effect to the Transactions:

 

Cash inflow from the PIPE   $ 400,000,000   (B)
Cash inflow from CRIS’s Trust Account     230,006,837   (C)
Payment of CRIS’s deferred IPO fees     (8,050,000 ) (D)
Payment of transaction and advisory fees for the PIPE and the Business Combination     (35,004,312 ) (E)
Payment of estimated transaction fees incurred by CRIS     (6,526,633 ) (F)
Payment of estimated transaction fees incurred by EVgo     (6,921,726 ) (G)
Redemption of CRIS's publicly traded shares     (132,306 ) (H)
Net Pro Forma Adjustment to Cash   $ 573,371,860   (A)

 

B – Represents gross cash proceeds attributable to the issuance of 40 million shares of Class A common stock for $10.00 per share, or $400 million in aggregate gross proceeds, upon the closing of the PIPE that occurred immediately prior to consummation of the Business Combination.

 

C – Represents cash equivalents that were released from the Trust Account and relieved of restrictions regarding use upon consummation of the Business Combination and, accordingly, are available for general use by the Combined Company.

 

D – Represents cash used to pay underwriting fees incurred by CRIS in connection with the IPO, for which payment was deferred until consummation of the Business Combination.

 

8 

 

 

E – Represents cash used to pay transaction and advisory fees incurred in connection with the PIPE and the Business Combination.

 

F – Represents cash used to pay the estimated direct and incremental transaction costs, comprised of legal and other fees, that were due from CRIS upon Closing, including $2.2 million of costs expensed by CRIS that are accrued and reported as a liability on CRIS’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, net of $0.2 million of costs recorded to prepaid expenses and other current assets. For purposes of a reverse recapitalization transaction, direct and incremental transaction costs are treated as a reduction of the cash proceeds resulting from the Transactions and, accordingly, are reported as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (for deferred offering costs) and accumulated deficit (for incremental costs to be expensed by CRIS). Refer to balance sheet adjustment (L) for the corresponding pro forma adjustments to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit reported for the Combined Company.

 

G – Represents cash used to pay the estimated direct and incremental transaction costs, comprised of legal and other fees, that were due from EVgo upon Closing. For purposes of a reverse recapitalization transaction, direct and incremental transaction costs are treated as a reduction of the cash proceeds resulting from the Transactions and, accordingly, are reported as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (for deferred offering costs) and accumulated deficit (for incremental costs to be expensed by EVgo). Refer to balance sheet adjustment (L) for the corresponding pro forma adjustments to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit reported for the Combined Company. Of these costs:

 

· $5.5 million was deferred in prepaid expenses and other current assets, of which $3.4 million was accrued in accounts payable, accrued expenses and payables to related parties by EVgo as of March 31, 2021.

 

· $1.4 million reflects preliminary estimated transaction costs related to the Transactions, which will be expensed by EVgo as incurred subsequent to March 31, 2021 in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These costs are reflected as if incurred on March 31, 2021, the assumed date of the consummation of the Business Combination for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet, and represent a non-recurring item.

 

H – Represents the impact to the amount of cash available to the Combined Company upon the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock in exchange for cash held in the Trust Account. Refer to balance sheet adjustment (L) for the corresponding adjustment to par value and additional paid-in capital reported for the Combined Company.

 

I – Represents deferred accounting, consulting and other costs directly related to the Transactions incurred and reported as an asset on EVgo’s and CRIS's balance sheets as of March 31, 2021. For purposes of a reverse recapitalization transaction, direct and incremental transaction costs are treated as a reduction of the cash proceeds resulting from the Transactions (see balance sheet adjustments (A) and (G)) and, accordingly, are reported as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (see balance sheet adjustment (L)).

 

J – Represents the reclassification of EVgo’s note payable – related party into additional paid-in capital upon consummation of the Business Combination. The outstanding balance of the note payable – related party, including accrued interest, was approximately $59.6 million as of June 30, 2021. The Combined Company has no liability under the note payable – related party after the consummation of the Business Combination. Refer to balance sheet adjustment (L) for the corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital reported for the Combined Company.

 

K – Reflects the preliminary estimated fair value of the Earnout Shares issued to the CRIS equity holders at Closing that are subject to possible forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved as a liability. The preliminary estimated fair values were determined using the most reliable information available. The actual fair values could change materially once the final valuation is determined as of the Closing. Refer to Note 4 for more information.

 

9 

 

 

L – Represents the net impact of the following pro forma adjustments related to the Transactions on the capital accounts of the Combined Company:

 

        Par Value (1)                                
  Members' Equity     Class A
 Common
Stock
    Founder
 Shares -
Class B
    Additional Paid-In Capital     Accumulated Deficit     Total Stockholders' Equity     Class A
 common stock
 subject to
 possible
redemption
    Non-
 controlling Interests -
Class B
 
Historical EVgo   $ 136,348,127     $ -     $ -     $ 1,408,631     $ (64,400,228 )   $  73,356,530     $ -     $ -  
Historical CRIS     -       763       575       50,223,046       (45,224,374 )     5,000,010       153,690,860       -  
Total historical balance     136,348,127       763       575       51,631,677       (109,624,602 )     78,356,540       153,690,860       -  
EVgo rollover equity (2)     (136,348,127 )     -       -       -       -       (136,348,127 )     -       136,348,127  
Conversion of CRIS's founder shares to Class A common shares (3)     -       575       (575 )     -       -       -       -       -  
Estimated fair value of the Earnout Shares contingently issuable to the CRIS equity holders (4)     -       (144 )     -       (19,765,481 )     -       (19,765,625 )     -       -  
Reclassification of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption     -       1,537       -       153,689,323       -       153,690,860       (153,690,860 )     -  
PIPE Investors     -       4,000       -       399,996,000       -       400,000,000       -       -  
Adjustments for share issuance and conversion transactions     (136,348,127 )     5,968       (575 )     533,919,842       -       397,577,108       (153,690,860 )     136,348,127  
Transaction and advisory fees for the PIPE and the Business Combination     -       -       -       (35,004,312 )     -       (35,004,312 )     -       -  
Estimated transaction fees incurred by CRIS (5)     -       -       -       (3,647,508 )     (865,255 )     (4,512,763 )     -       -  
Estimated transaction fees incurred by EVgo (5)     -       -       -       (7,616,366 )     (1,407,007 )     (9,023,373 )     -       -  
Reclassification of EVgo's note payable - related party     -       -       -       57,040,167       -       57,040,167       -       -  
Elimination of CRIS's historical accumulated deficit     -       -       -       (46,089,629 )     46,089,629       -       -       -  
Reclassification of EVgo's historical accumulated deficit (6)     -       -       -       (65,807,235 )     65,807,235       -       -       -  
Redemption of Class A common stock (7)     -       (1 )     -       (132,305 )     -       (132,306 )     -       -  
Allocate amount to non-controlling interests (8)     -       -       -       (323,130,593 )     -       (323,130,593 )     -       323,130,593  
Total pro forma adjustments to equity     (136,348,127 )     5,967       (575 )     109,532,061       109,624,602       82,813,928       (153,690,860 )     459,478,720  
Total pro forma balance   $ -     $ 6,730     $ -     $ 161,163,738     $ -     $ 161,170,468     $ -     $ 459,478,720  

 

(1) Represents the par value of CRIS’s common stock prior to the Business Combination and the par value of the common stock subsequent to the Business Combination.

 

(2) Shares of Class B common stock were issued to Holdings to consummate the Business Combination (classified as non-controlling interests). The pro forma shares attributable to Holdings are calculated by dividing the rollover equity value of $1.985 billion by the per share price of $10.00.

 

(3) Represents CRIS’s issued and outstanding founder shares that were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis immediately prior to consummation of the Business Combination and are outstanding subsequent to the Business Combination, including the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved.

 

(4) Represents the adjustment to reflect the liability for the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved (see balance sheet adjustment (K)).

 

(5) Consists of the adjustments for estimated transaction fees (balance sheet adjustments (F) and (G)) included in the cash table above and the prepaid deferred costs included in balance sheet adjustment (I), net of the amounts accrued in balance sheet adjustments (F) and (G).

 

(6) Represents the adjustment to reclassify EVgo’s historical accumulated deficit to additional paid-in capital as part of the reverse recapitalization of the Business Combination.

 

(7) Represents the adjustment to reflect the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock in exchange for cash held in the Trust Account (see balance sheet adjustment (H)).

 

(8) Represents an adjustment to revise non-controlling interests to their 74.0% ownership percentage.

 

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M – Authorized, issued and outstanding shares for each class of common stock and preferred stock as of March 31, 2021 on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis are as follows:

 

  Historical     Pro Forma  
  Authorized     Issued     Outstanding     Authorized     Issued     Outstanding  
Preferred Stock   1,000,000     -     -     1,000,000     -     -  
                                                 
Common Stock - Class A     100,000,000       N/A       N/A       100,000,000       N/A       N/A  
CRIS's Class A stockholders (1)     N/A       23,000,000       23,000,000       N/A       22,986,770       22,986,770  
PIPE Investors     N/A       -       -       N/A       40,000,000       40,000,000  
CRIS's converted founder shares (2)     N/A       -       -       N/A       5,750,000       5,750,000  
Total Common Stock - Class A     100,000,000       23,000,000       23,000,000       100,000,000       68,736,770       68,736,770  
Common stock - Class B (3)     10,000,000       N/A       N/A       195,800,000       N/A       N/A  
CRIS's founder shares     N/A       5,750,000       5,750,000       N/A       -       -  
EVgo rollover equity (4)     N/A       -       -       N/A       195,800,000       195,800,000  
Total Common Stock - Class B     10,000,000       5,750,000       5,750,000       195,800,000       195,800,000       195,800,000  
Total Common Stock     110,000,000       28,750,000       28,750,000       295,800,000       264,536,770       264,536,770  

 

(1) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by CRIS’s public stockholders giving effect to the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock. The historical issued and outstanding shares included 15,369,086 shares that were subject to possible redemption.

 

(2) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by the initial stockholders of CRIS upon the one-for-one conversion of the founder shares into Class A common stock immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved.

 

(3) For pro forma purposes, the authorized number of shares of Class B common stock was assumed to equal the number of issued and outstanding shares since the stockholders of CRIS are being asked to approve an increase in authorized shares in connection with the Business Combination as described in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated by reference.

 

(4) Represents the shares of Class B common stock issued to Holdings to consummate the Business Combination (classified as non-controlling interests). The pro forma shares attributable to Holdings are calculated by dividing the rollover equity value of $1.985 billion by the per share price of $10.00.

 

NOTE 3 – ADJUSTMENTS TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 include the following adjustments:

 

a – Represents the elimination of formation and operating costs of CRIS and incremental costs that are expensed as incurred by EVgo related to the Transactions.

 

b – Represents the elimination of interest income earned on the Investments held in Trust Account.

 

c – Represents the elimination of interest expense incurred on EVgo’s note payable – related party, which was reclassified into equity upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

d – Represents an adjustment to net loss attributable to non-controlling interests based on their 74.0% ownership percentage.

 

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e – Represents the pro forma weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and pro forma loss per share calculated after giving effect to the Transactions, including the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock, as follows:

 

    For the Three Months ended 
March 31, 2021
 
Numerator        
Pro forma net loss attributable to controlling interests   $ (11,316,970 )
Denominator        
CRIS's Class A stockholders (1)     22,986,770  
CRIS's converted founder shares (2)     5,750,000  
PIPE Investors     40,000,000  
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding     68,736,770  
Loss per share        
Basic and diluted (3)   $ (0.16 )

 

       
    For the Year ended 
December 31, 2020
 
Numerator        
Pro forma net loss attributable to controlling interests   $ (15,341,157 )
Denominator        
CRIS's Class A stockholders (1)     22,986,770  
CRIS's converted founder shares (2)     5,750,000  
PIPE Investors     40,000,000  
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding     68,736,770  
Loss per share        
Basic and diluted (3)   $ (0.22 )

 

(1) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by CRIS’s public stockholders giving effect to the redemption of 13,230 shares of Class A common stock. As the Transactions are assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 2020 for purposes of preparing the pro forma condensed combined statement of operations, these shares are assumed to have been outstanding shares of common stock for the entire three-month and annual periods.

 

(2) Represents the shares of Class A common stock held by the initial stockholders of CRIS upon the one-for-one conversion of the founder shares into Class A common stock immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. Consistent with the assumption related to the Transactions, this conversion is assumed to have occurred on January 1, 2020 and, accordingly, these shares, including the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares that are subject to potential forfeiture based upon triggering events that have not yet been achieved, are assumed to have been outstanding shares of common stock for the entire three-month and annual periods.

 

(3) Potentially dilutive shares have been deemed to be anti-dilutive due to the net loss position and, accordingly, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share. Potentially dilutive shares that have been excluded from the determination of diluted loss per share include 18,100,000 outstanding warrants issued in connection with the IPO and private placement.

 

NOTE 4 – Earnout Shares

 

The Earnout Shares are accounted for as liability-classified equity instruments that are earned upon achieving the triggering events, which include events that are not indexed to CRIS’s common stock. The preliminary estimated fair value of the 1,437,500 Earnout Shares issued and outstanding upon Closing is $19.8 million based on the respective trigger prices for the Earnout Shares. The actual fair values of the Earnout Shares are subject to change as additional information becomes available and additional analyses are performed and such changes could be material once the final valuation is determined as of the Closing.

 

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