As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019 

Registration No. 333-


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

______________________

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

Delaware

3240 S. Central Avenue

Cicero, IL 60804

88-0409160

(State or other jurisdiction of

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

Amended and Restated Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

 

Stephanie K. Kushner

President, Chief Executive Officer

Broadwind Energy, Inc.

3240 S. Central Avenue

Cicero, Illinois 60804

Telephone: (708) 780-4800

(Name, address and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copy to:

Michele C. Kloeppel, Esq.

Thompson Coburn LLP

One U.S. Bank Plaza

St. Louis, Missouri 63101

Telephone: (314) 552-6000

Facsimile: (314) 552-7000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer       Accelerated filer       Non-accelerated filer       Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

Title of securities to be registered

Amount to be registered (1 )   (2 )

Proposed maximum offering price per unit (3 )

Proposed maximum aggregate offering price (3 )

Amount of registration fee

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share

1,100,000

$1.90

$2,090,000.00

$253.31

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share Purchase Rights

(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

 

(1)  Represents shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), underlying the Amended and Restated Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) also covers such additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

(2)  The Plan authorizes the issuance of a maximum of 2,200,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 1,100,000 were previously registered on the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-203736) filed April 30, 2015 (the “Prior Registration Statement”). This Registration Statement registers an additional 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock under the Plan (the “Additional Shares”).

(3)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act, using the average of the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 22, 2019.

(4)  The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share Purchase Rights (the “Series A Rights”) are initially carried with the shares of Common Stock. The value attributable to such rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the shares of Common Stock.

Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the Prospectus referred to herein is combined with and relates to the Prior Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The undersigned Registrant hereby files this Registration Statement to register the Additional Shares for issuance to participants under the Plan.  The Additional Shares are in addition to the Common Stock previously registered for issuance on the Prior Registration Statement.  The contents of the Prior Registration, including exhibits thereto, are incorporated herein by reference, except to the extent superseded or modified by the specific information set forth below or the specific exhibits attached hereto.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3 .  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference .

The following documents filed by the Registrant with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference:

(a) The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed February 26, 2019;

(b) The Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, filed April 26, 2019;

(c) The Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K (specifically excluding the information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 and any exhibits furnished thereto), filed February 12, 2019 and April 26, 2019;

(d) The description of the Common Stock as set forth in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2009 (File No. 001-34278) pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

(e) The description of the Series A Rights as set forth in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2013 (File No. 001-34278), Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 1) filed with the SEC on February 8, 2016 (File No. 001-34278) and Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 2) filed with the SEC on February 12, 2019 (File No. 001-34278) pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be made a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.  Any statements contained herein or in a document incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such document.  Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Where any document or part thereof is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, the Registrant will provide without charge to each person to whom a prospectus with respect to the Plan is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, excluding exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference.

Item 4.  Description of Securities .

The securities to be offered are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel .

Not applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers .

 

 


 

Delaware Law

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit indemnification for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.

Sections 145(a) and (b) of the DGCL provide that a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers, as well as other employees and individuals, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation (a derivative action)), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification in which the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation.

Section 145(e) of the DGCL provides that expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized by Section 145 of the DGCL. Section 145(e) of the DGCL further provides that such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees or agents of the corporation may be so paid upon such terms and conditions as the corporation deems appropriate.

Section 145(g) of the DGCL permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.

Charter and Bylaw Provisions and Other Arrangements

The Registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the Registrant must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL and must also pay expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately by a court of competent jurisdiction that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant. Under Article IX of the certificate of incorporation, the Registrant may maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the Registrant has the power to indemnify such person. Pursuant to Section 145 of the DGCL and the certificate of incorporation, the Registrant maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage.

In addition, as permitted by the DGCL, the Registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides that no director will be liable to the Registrant or to 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 the same exists or may hereafter be amended. The effect of this provision is to restrict the Registrant’s rights and the rights of its stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that a director will be personally liable for:

•  any breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders;

•  acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

•  the payment of dividends or the redemption or purchase of stock in violation of Delaware law; or

•  any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

This provision does not affect a director’s liability under the federal securities laws.

In addition to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws described above, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain officers to indemnify such directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

 

 


 

The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed .

Not applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits .

See Exhibit Index.

Item 9.  Undertakings .

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such

 

 


 

indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Exhibit Index

 

The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this registration statement:

 

 

 

Exhibit

Number

Description

4.1

Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008) .

4.2

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 23, 2012) .

4.3

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, adopted as of May 20, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2014) .

4.4

Section 382 Rights Agreement dated as of February 12, 2013 between the Registrant and Equiniti Trust Company, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8 A filed February 13, 2013) .

4.5

First Amendment to Section 382 Rights Agreement dated as of February 5, 2016 between the Registrant and Equiniti Trust Company, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 8, 2016) .

4.6

Second Amendment to Section 382 Rights Agreement dated as of February 7, 2019 between the Registrant and Equiniti Trust Company, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2019).

4.7

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed February 13, 2013) .

5.1*

Opinion of Thompson Coburn LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.  

23.1*

Consent of RSM US LLP .

23.2*

Consent of Thompson Coburn LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*

Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page hereto).

10.1*

Amended and Restated Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

 

*  Filed herewith.

 Indicates management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cicero, State of Illinois on April 26, 2019.

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

By: / s/ Jason L. Bonfigt

Jason L. Bonfigt

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officers and directors of the Registrant do hereby severally and individually constitute and appoint Stephanie K. Kushner and Jason L. Bonfigt, and each of them (with full power to act alone and with full power of substitution and re-substitution), lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments that said attorney and agent determines may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act and any rules or regulations or requirements of the SEC in connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.

 

 

 

 

Signature

Title

Date

 

 

 

/s/ Stephanie K. Kushner

President, Chief Executive Officer,

April 23, 2019

Stephanie K. Kushner

and Director

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jason L. Bonfigt

Vice President and Chief Financial

April 23, 2019

Jason L. Bonfigt

Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer and

 

 

Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

/s/ David P. Reiland

Chairman of the Board

April 23, 2019

David P. Reiland

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Terence P. Fox

Director

April 23, 2019

Terence P. Fox

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Philip J. Christman

Director

April 23, 2019

Philip J. Christman

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas A. Wagner

Director

April 23, 2019

Thomas A. Wagner

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Cary B. Wood

Director

April 23, 2019

Cary B. Wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


EXHIBIT 5.1

 

April 26, 2019

Broadwind Energy, Inc.

3240 S. Central Avenue

Cicero, Illinois 60804

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 for an additional 1,100,000 shares of Broadwind Energy, Inc.’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, for issuance under the Amended and Restated Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

With reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on April 26, 2019, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of up to an additional 1,100,000 shares (the “Additional Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), we have examined such corporate records of the Company, such laws and such other information as we have deemed relevant, including the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, its Second Amended and Restated Bylaws and statements we have received from officers and representatives of the Company. In delivering this opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic or conformed copies, the authenticity of originals of all such latter documents, and the correctness of statements submitted to us by officers and representatives of the Company. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence of such facts and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence of such facts should be drawn from our representation of the Company.

Based solely on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Additional Shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan have been duly authorized and, when issued by the Company in accordance with the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as Exhibit 5.1.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Thompson Coburn LLP


 

 

 

 

Exhibit  10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), adopted the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 23, 2015.  The Company now wishes to amend and completely restate the Plan.  This amendment and restatement of the Plan was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 19, 2019 and is contingent upon approval of the stockholders of the Company at its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The Plan is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

 

I.    INTRODUCTION

 

1.1            Purposes .  The purposes of this Plan are (i) to align the interests of the Company’s stockholders and the recipients of awards under this Plan by increasing the proprietary interest of such recipients in the Company’s growth and success, (ii) to advance the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining officers, other employees, Non-Employee Directors and independent contractors and (iii) to motivate such persons to act in the long term best interests of the Company and its stockholders. 

 

1.2            Certain Definitions .

 

Agreement ” shall mean the written or electronic agreement evidencing an award hereunder between the Company and the recipient of such award.

 

Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of a “change in the ownership,” a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company.  In determining whether an event shall be considered a “change in the ownership,” a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)           A “change in the ownership” of the Company shall occur on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, as determined in accordance with Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v).  If a person or group is considered either to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, or to have effective control of the Company within the meaning of clause (b) of this definition, and such person or group acquires additional stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by such person or group shall not be considered to cause a “change in the ownership” of the Company;

 

(b)           A “change in the effective control” of the Company shall occur on either of the following dates:

 

(1)      The date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 40% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, as determined in accordance with Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi).  If a person or group is considered to possess 40% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, and such person or group acquires additional stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by such person or group shall not be considered to cause a “change in the effective control” of the Company; or

 

(2)      The date on which a majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board

before the date of the appointment or election, as determined in accordance with Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi);

 

(c)           A “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company shall occur on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions, as determined in accordance with Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii).  A transfer of assets shall not be treated as a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” when such transfer is made to an entity that is controlled by the stockholders of the Company, as determined in accordance with Treasury regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii)(B).

 

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.


 

 

Committee ” shall mean the Committee designated by the Board, consisting of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is intended to be (i) a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) “independent” within the meaning of the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, within the meaning of the rules of the principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded. 

 

Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, and all rights appurtenant thereto.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value ” shall mean the closing transaction price of a share of Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the closing transaction price of a share of Common Stock on the principal national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there shall be no reported transactions for such date, on the next preceding date for which transactions were reported; provided, however , that if the Common Stock is not listed on a national stock exchange or if Fair Market Value for any date cannot be so determined, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. 

 

Free-Standing SAR ” shall mean an SAR which is not granted in tandem with, or by reference to, an option, which entitles the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise, shares of Common Stock (which may be Restricted Stock) or, to the extent provided in the applicable Agreement, cash or a combination thereof, with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the base price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of such SARs which are exercised.

 

Incentive Stock Option ” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Common Stock that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, which is intended by the Committee to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Non-Employee Director ” shall mean any director of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

Nonqualified Stock Option ” shall mean an option to purchase shares of Common Stock which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Performance Award ” shall mean a right to receive an amount of cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both, contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.

 

Performance Measures ” shall mean the criteria and objectives, established by the Committee, which shall be satisfied or met (i) as a condition to the grant or exercisability of all or a portion of an option or SAR or (ii) during the applicable Restriction Period or Performance Period as a condition to the vesting of the holder’s interest in the shares of Common Stock subject to an award or the holder’s receipt of the shares of Common Stock or payment with respect to an award, as applicable.  The performance goals established for the Performance Period may consist of any objective or subjective corporate wide or subsidiary, division, operating unit or individual measures.  The Performance Measures shall be subject to such other special rules and conditions as the Committee may establish.

 

Performance Option ” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option, the grant of which or the exercisability of all or a portion of which is contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.

 

Performance Period ” shall mean any period designated by the Committee during which (i) the Performance Measures applicable to an award shall be measured and (ii) the conditions to vesting applicable to an award shall remain in effect.

 

Prior Plan ” shall mean the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and each other plan previously maintained by the Company under which equity awards remained outstanding as of April 23, 2015, the original effective date of this Plan.

 

Restricted Stock ” shall mean shares of Common Stock which are subject to a Restriction Period and which may, in addition thereto, be subject to the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.

 

Restricted Stock Award ” shall mean an award of Restricted Stock under this Plan.

 

Restricted Stock Unit ” shall mean a right to receive one share of Common Stock or, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value of such share of Common Stock in cash, which shall be contingent upon the expiration of a specified Restriction Period and which may, in addition thereto, be contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.

 


 

Restricted Stock Unit Award ” shall mean an award of Restricted Stock Units under this Plan.

 

Restriction Period ” shall mean any period of not less than twelve months designated by the Committee during which (i) the Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of, except as provided in this Plan or the Agreement relating to such award, or (ii) the conditions to vesting applicable to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall remain in effect.  

 

SAR ” shall mean a stock appreciation right which may be a Free Standing SAR or a Tandem SAR.

 

Stock Award ” shall mean a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

Subsidiary ” shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or similar entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, an equity interest possessing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the total outstanding equity interests of such entity.

 

Substitute Award ” shall mean an award granted under this Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, including a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an option or SAR.

 

Tandem SAR ” shall mean an SAR which is granted in tandem with, or by reference to, an option (including a Nonqualified Stock Option granted prior to the date of grant of the SAR), which entitles the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise of such SAR and surrender or cancellation of all or a portion of such option, shares of Common Stock (which may be Restricted Stock) with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the base price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered.

 

Tax Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

 

Ten Percent Holder ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

1.3           Administration .  This Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  Any one or a combination of the following awards may be made under this Plan to eligible persons: (i) options to purchase shares of Common Stock in the form of Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options (which may include Performance Options), (ii) SARs in the form of Tandem SARs or Free Standing SARs, (iii) Stock Awards in the form of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, and (iv) Performance Awards.  The Committee shall, subject to the terms of this Plan, select eligible persons for participation in this Plan and determine the form, amount and timing of each award to such persons and, if applicable, the number of shares of Common Stock, the number of SARs, the number of Restricted Stock Units, and the dollar value subject to such an award, the exercise price or base price associated with the award, the time and conditions of exercise or settlement of the award and all other terms and conditions of the award, including, without limitation, the form of the Agreement evidencing the award.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Committee may approve an Agreement that, upon the termination of an award holder’s employment or service, provides that, or may, in its sole discretion, otherwise take action such that (i) any or all outstanding options and SARs shall become exercisable in part or in full, (ii) all or a portion of the Restriction Period applicable to any outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall lapse, (iii) all or a portion of the Performance Period applicable to any outstanding Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards shall lapse and (iv) the Performance Measures (if any) applicable to any outstanding award shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target, maximum or any other level.  The Committee shall, subject to the terms of this Plan, interpret this Plan and the application thereof, establish rules and regulations it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of this Plan and may impose, incidental to the grant of an award, conditions with respect to the award, such as limiting competitive employment or other activities.  All such interpretations, rules, regulations and conditions shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

 

The Committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority hereunder to the Board or, subject to applicable law, to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of the Company as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its power and authority to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of the Company with regard to the selection for participation in this Plan of an officer, director or other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or decisions concerning the timing, pricing or amount of an award to such an officer, director or other person. 

 

No member of the Board or Committee, and neither the Chief Executive Officer nor any other executive officer to whom the Committee delegates any of its power and authority hereunder, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in connection with this Plan in good faith, and the members of the Board and the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising therefrom to the full extent permitted by law (except as otherwise may be provided in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and/or By-laws) and under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that may be in effect from time to time.

 


 

1.4           Eligibility .  Participants in this Plan shall consist of such employees, officers, Non-Employee Directors, and independent contractors, and persons expected to become employees, officers, Non-Employee Directors, and independent contractors, of the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Committee in its sole discretion may select from time to time.  The Committee’s selection of a person to participate in this Plan at any time shall not require the Committee to select such person to participate in this Plan at any other time.  Except as provided otherwise in an Agreement, for purposes of this Plan, references to employment by the Company shall also mean employment by a Subsidiary, and references to employment shall include service as a Non-Employee Director or independent contractor.  The Company may determine, in its sole discretion, whether a participant is deemed to be employed during a leave of absence.

 

1.5           Shares Available .  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.7 and to all other limits set forth in this Section 1.5, 1,235,192 shares of Common Stock shall be available for all awards under this Plan, of which no more than 1,235,192 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate may be issued under this Plan in connection with Incentive Stock Options.  The number of shares of Common Stock available under this Plan shall be reduced by the sum of the aggregate

number of shares of Common Stock under this Plan which become subject to outstanding options, outstanding Free-Standing SARs and outstanding Stock Awards and delivered upon the settlement of Performance Awards.  As of April 23, 2015, the date of the original approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company, no further awards could be granted under any Prior Plan.

 

To the extent that shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding option, SAR, Stock Award or Performance Award granted under this Plan or the Prior Plan are not issued or delivered by reason of (i) the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award (excluding shares subject to an option cancelled upon settlement in shares of a related Tandem SAR or shares subject to a Tandem SAR cancelled upon exercise of a related option) or (ii) the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares of Common Stock shall again be available under this Plan; provided, however, that shares of Common Stock subject to an award under this Plan shall not again be available under this Plan if such shares are (x) shares that were subject to a stock-settled SAR and were not issued or delivered upon the net settlement of such SAR, (y) shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price or the withholding taxes related to an outstanding award and (z) shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of an option exercise.  The number of shares that again become available pursuant to this paragraph shall be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any such option, Free-Standing SAR, Stock Award, or Performance Award as contemplated herein.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock available for awards under this Plan shall not be reduced by (i) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to Substitute Awards or (ii) available shares under a stockholder approved plan of a company or other entity which was a party to a corporate transaction with the Company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such corporate transaction) which become subject to awards granted under this Plan (subject to applicable stock exchange requirements).

 

Shares of Common Stock to be delivered under this Plan shall be made available from authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, or authorized and issued shares of Common Stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise or a combination thereof.

 

The aggregate grant date fair value of shares of Common Stock that may be granted during any fiscal year of the Company to any Non-Employee Director shall not exceed $200,000 ; provided, however , that (i) the limit set forth in this sentence shall be multiplied by two in the year in which a Non-Employee Director commences service on the Board and (ii) the limit set forth in this sentence shall not apply to awards made pursuant an election to receive the award in lieu of all or a portion of fees received for service on the Board or any committee thereunder.

 

II.   STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

2.1           Stock Options .  The Committee may, in its discretion, grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee.  Each option, or portion thereof, that is not an Incentive Stock Option, shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds the amount (currently $100,000) established by the Code, such options shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

Options may be granted in addition to, or in lieu of, any other compensation payable to officers, other employees, Non-Employee Directors, and independent contractors, and in all cases shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:

 

(a)             Number of Shares and Purchase Price .  The number of shares of Common Stock subject to an option and the purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that the purchase price per share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of an option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such option; provided further , that if an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who, at the time such option is granted, owns capital stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital 


 

stock of the Company (or of any parent or Subsidiary) (a “ Ten Percent Holder ”), the purchase price per share of Common Stock shall not be less than the price (currently 110% of Fair Market Value) required by the Code in order to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an option that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the shares subject to such option may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Committee) of the shares of the predecessor company or other entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.

 

(b)             Option Period and Exercisability .  The period during which an option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that no option shall be (i) exercisable prior to the one year anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) exercised later than 10 years after its date of grant; provided further , that if an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a Ten Percent Holder, such option shall not be exercised later than five years after its date of grant.  The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that an option is to be granted as a Performance Option and may establish an applicable Performance Period and Performance Measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant of such option or to the exercisability of all or a portion of such option.  The Committee shall determine whether an option shall become exercisable in cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time.  An exercisable option, or portion thereof, may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock.

 

(c)             Method of Exercise .  An option may be exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanying such notice with payment therefor in full (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction) either (A) in cash, (B) by delivery (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price payable by reason of such exercise, (C) authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy such obligation, (D) except as may be prohibited by applicable law, in cash by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (E) a combination of (A), (B) and (C), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the option, (ii) if applicable, by surrendering to the Company any Tandem SARs which are cancelled by reason of the exercise of the option and (iii) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request.  Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which would be required to pay such purchase price shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the optionee.  No shares of Common Stock shall be issued and no certificate representing Common Stock shall be delivered until the full purchase price therefor and any withholding taxes thereon, as described in Section 5.5, have been paid (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction).

 

2.2          Stock Appreciation Rights .  The Committee may, in its discretion, grant SARs to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee.  The Agreement relating to an SAR shall specify whether the SAR is a Tandem SAR or a Free-Standing SAR.

 

SARs shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:

 

(a)           Number of SARs and Base Price .  The number of SARs subject to an award shall be determined by the Committee.  Any Tandem SAR related to an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted at the same time that such Incentive Stock Option is granted.  The base price of a Tandem SAR shall be the purchase price per share of Common Stock of the related option.  The base price of a Free-Standing SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that such base price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of such SAR.

(b)           Exercise Period and Exercisability .  The period for the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however , that no SAR shall be (i) exercisable prior to the one year anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) exercised later than 10 years after its grant date; and provided further , that no Tandem SAR shall be exercised later than the expiration, cancellation, forfeiture or other termination of the related option.  The Committee may, in its discretion, establish Performance Measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant of an SAR or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an SAR.  The Committee shall determine whether an SAR may be exercised in cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time.  An exercisable SAR, or portion thereof, may be exercised, in the case of a Tandem SAR, only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock and, in the case of a Free Standing SAR, only with respect to a whole number of SARs.  If an SAR is exercised for shares of Restricted Stock, a certificate or certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be issued in accordance with Section 3.2(c), or such shares shall be transferred to the holder in book entry form with restrictions on the shares duly noted, and the holder of such Restricted Stock shall have such rights of a stockholder of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 3.2(d).  Prior to the exercise of an SAR, the holder of such SAR shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to such SAR.


 

(c)           Method of Exercise .  A Tandem SAR may be exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole SARs which are being exercised, (ii) by surrendering to the Company any options which are cancelled by reason of the exercise of the Tandem SAR and (iii) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request.  A Free-Standing SAR may be exercised (A) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the whole number of SARs which are being exercised and (B) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request.

 

2.3          Termination of Employment or Service .  All of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or other disposition of an option or SAR upon a termination of employment or service with the Company of the holder of such option or SAR, as the case may be, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award Agreement.

 

2.4          No Repricing .  Subject to Section 5.7, the Committee shall not without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (i) reduce the exercise price or base price of any previously granted option or SAR, (ii) cancel any previously granted option or SAR in exchange for another option or SAR with a lower exercise price or base price or (iii) cancel any previously granted option or SAR in exchange for cash or another award if the exercise price of such option or the base price of such SAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of such cancellation, in each case other than in connection with a corporate transaction including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares.

 

III.   STOCK AWARDS

 

3.1          Stock Awards .  The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee.  The Agreement relating to a Stock Award shall specify whether the Stock Award is a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

3.2          Terms of Restricted Stock Awards .  Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.

 

(a)           Number of Shares and Other Terms .  The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award and the Restriction Period, Performance Period (if any) and Performance Measures (if any) applicable to a Restricted Stock Award shall be determined by the Committee.

(b)           Vesting and Forfeiture .  The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Plan, for the vesting of the shares of Common Stock subject to such award (i) if the holder of such award remains continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period and (ii) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period, and for the forfeiture of the shares of Common Stock subject to such award (x) if the holder of such award does not remain continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period or (y) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are not satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period.  

(c)           Stock Issuance .  During the Restriction Period, the shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by a custodian in book entry form with restrictions on such shares duly noted or, alternatively, a certificate or certificates representing a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the holder’s name and may bear a legend, in addition to any legend which may be required pursuant to Section 5.6, indicating that the ownership of the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate is subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions of this Plan and the Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock Award.  All such certificates shall be deposited with the Company, together with stock powers or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event such award is forfeited in whole or in part.  Upon termination of any applicable Restriction Period (and the satisfaction or attainment of applicable Performance Measures), subject to the Company’s right to require payment of any taxes in accordance with Section 5.5, the restrictions shall be removed from the requisite number of any shares of Common Stock that are held in book entry form, and all certificates evidencing ownership of the requisite number of shares of Common Stock shall be delivered to the holder of such award.

(d)           Rights with Respect to Restricted Stock Awards .  Unless otherwise set forth in the Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, the holder of such award shall have all rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, but not limited to, voting rights, the right to receive dividends and the right to participate in any capital adjustment applicable to all holders of Common Stock; provided, however , that (i) a distribution with respect to shares of Common Stock, other than a regular cash dividend, and (ii) a regular cash dividend with respect to shares of Common Stock that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions, in each case shall be deposited with the Company and shall be subject to the same restrictions as the shares of Common Stock with respect to which such distribution was made.

 


 

3.3          Terms of Restricted Stock Unit Awards .  Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.

 

(a)           Number of Shares and Other Terms .  The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award and the Restriction Period, Performance Period (if any) and Performance Measures (if any) applicable to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be determined by the Committee.

(b)           Vesting and Forfeiture .  The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Plan, for the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award (i) if the holder of such award remains continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period and (ii) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period, and for the forfeiture of the shares of Common Stock subject to such award (x) if the holder of such award does not remain continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period or (y) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are not satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period.

(c)           Settlement of Vested Restricted Stock Unit Awards .  The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall specify (i) whether such award may be settled in shares of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof and (ii) whether the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive, on a current or deferred basis, dividend equivalents, and, if determined by the Committee, interest on, or the deemed reinvestment of, any deferred dividend equivalents, with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such award.  Any dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock Units.  Prior to the settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the holder of such award shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to such award.

 

3.4          Termination of Employment or Service .  All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of Performance Measures and the termination of the Restriction Period or Performance Period relating to a Stock Award, or any forfeiture and cancellation of such award upon a termination of employment or service with the Company of the holder of such award, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award Agreement.

 

IV.   PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

4.1          Performance Awards .  The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Performance Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee.  Performance Awards may be granted in the form of annual incentive awards or long-term incentive awards.

 

4.2          Terms of Performance Awards .  Performance Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.

 

(a)           Value of Performance Awards and Performance Measures .  The method of determining the value of the Performance Award and the Performance Measures and Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.

(b)           Vesting and Forfeiture .  The Agreement relating to a Performance Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Plan, for the vesting of such Performance Award if the specified Performance Measures are satisfied or met during the specified Performance Period and for the forfeiture of such award if the specified Performance Measures are not satisfied or met during the specified Performance Period.

(c)           Settlement of Vested Performance Awards .  The Agreement relating to a Performance Award shall specify whether such award may be settled in shares of Common Stock (including shares of Restricted Stock) or cash or a combination thereof.  If a Performance Award is settled in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued to the holder in book entry form or a certificate or certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be issued in accordance with Section 3.2(c) and the holder of such Restricted Stock shall have such rights as a stockholder of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 3.2(d).  Any dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to a Performance Award that is subject to performance-based vesting conditions shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Performance Award.  Prior to the settlement of a Performance Award in shares of Common Stock, including Restricted Stock, the holder of such award shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company.

 

4.3          Termination of Employment or Service .  All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of Performance Measures and the termination of the Performance Period relating to a Performance Award, or any forfeiture and cancellation of such award upon a termination of employment or service with the Company of the holder of such award, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award Agreement.

 

V.   GENERAL


 

 

5.1          Effective Date and Term of Plan .  This Plan originally became effective April 23, 2015 upon the approval of the stockholders of the Company at its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for approval at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and, if so approved, shall become effective as of the date of the approval.  This amendment and restatement of the Plan does not amend the terms of any award made under the Plan as in effect prior to the effective date of this  amendment and restatement or terms of any award under a Prior Plan.  Awards issued under this Plan, prior to its amendment and restatement, shall be governed by the terms of the Plan as then in effect on the date of any such award.  This Plan shall remain in effect until terminated by the Board; provided that no Incentive Stock Option may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date on which this amendment and restatement of the Plan was approved by the stockholders.

 

In the event that this amended and restated Plan is not approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Plan shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its existing terms.

 

5.2          Amendments .  The Board may amend or terminate this Plan as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that no amendment to this Plan shall be effective without the approval of the Company’s stockholders if (i) stockholder approval is required by applicable law, rule or regulation, including any rule of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or any other stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded, or (ii) such amendment seeks to modify the prohibitions on the repricing or discounting of options and SARs contained in Section 2.4; provided further , that no amendment may materially impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding award without the consent of such holder.

 

5.3          Agreement .  Each award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to such award.  No award shall be valid until an Agreement is executed by the Company and, to the extent required by the Company, either executed by the recipient or accepted by the recipient by electronic means approved by the Company within the time period specified by the Company.  Upon such execution or execution and electronic acceptance, and delivery of the Agreement to the Company, such award shall be effective as of the effective date set forth in the Agreement.

 

5.4          Non-Transferability .  No award shall be transferable other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company or, to the extent expressly permitted in the Agreement relating to such award, to the holder’s family members, a trust or entity established by the holder for estate planning purposes or a charitable organization designated by the holder, in each case without consideration.  Except to the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence or the Agreement relating to an award, each award may be exercised or settled during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder or the holder’s legal representative or similar person.  Except as permitted by the second preceding sentence, no award may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process.  Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any award, such award and all rights thereunder shall immediately become null and void.

 

5.5          Tax Withholding .  The Company shall have the right to require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash pursuant to an award made hereunder, payment by the holder of such award of any federal, state, local or other taxes which may be required to be withheld or paid in connection with such award.  An Agreement may provide that (i) the Company shall withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered to a holder, having an aggregate Fair Market Value determined as of the date the obligation to withhold or pay taxes arises in connection with an award (the “ Tax Date ”), or withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be payable to a holder, in the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation or (ii) the holder may satisfy any such obligation by any of the following means: (A) a cash payment to the Company, (B) delivery (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) to the Company of previously owned whole shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation, (C) authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, or withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be payable to a holder, in either case equal to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation, (D) in the case of the exercise of an option, a cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (E) any combination of (A), (B) and (C), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the award.  Shares of Common Stock to be delivered or withheld may not have an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of the amount determined by applying the maximum statutory withholding rate.  Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which would be required to satisfy such an obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the holder.

 

5.6          Restrictions on Shares .  Each award made hereunder shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to such award upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the delivery of shares thereunder, such shares shall not be delivered unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  The Company may require that certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to any award made hereunder bear a legend 


 

indicating that the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof by the holder is prohibited except in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

5.7          Adjustment .  In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation) that causes the per share value of shares of Common Stock to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through an extraordinary dividend, the number and class of securities available under this Plan, the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding option or SAR and the purchase price or base price per share, the terms of each outstanding Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award, including the number and class of securities subject thereto, the terms of each outstanding Performance Award, the maximum number of securities with respect to which options or SARs may be granted during any fiscal year of the Company to any one grantee, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be awarded during any fiscal year of the Company to any one grantee pursuant to a Stock Award that is subject to Performance Measures or a Performance Award shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, such adjustments to be made in the case of outstanding options and SARs without an increase in the aggregate purchase price or base price and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, including a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such equitable adjustments described in the foregoing sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of participants.  In either case, the decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive.  If any such adjustment would result in a fractional security being (a) available under this Plan, such fractional security shall be disregarded, or (b) subject to an award under this Plan, the Company shall pay the holder of such award, in connection with the first vesting, exercise or settlement of such award, in whole or in part, occurring after such adjustment, an amount in cash determined by multiplying (i) the fraction of such security (rounded to the nearest hundredth) by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the Fair Market Value on the vesting, exercise or settlement date over (B) the exercise or base price, if any, of such award.

 

5.8          Change in Control .  If the Company shall be a party to Change in Control, the Board (as constituted prior to the Change in Control) may, in its discretion:

 

(a)          require that (A) some or all outstanding options and SARs shall immediately become exercisable in full or in part, (B) the Restriction Period applicable to some or all outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall lapse in full or in part, (C) the Performance Period applicable to some or all outstanding awards shall lapse in full or in part, and (D) the Performance Measures applicable to some or all outstanding awards shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target, maximum or any other level;

(b)          require that shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding to the business of the Company pursuant to such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, be substituted for some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding award, with an appropriate and equitable adjustment to such award as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 5.7; and/or

(c)          require outstanding awards, in whole or in part, to be surrendered to the Company by the holder, and to be immediately cancelled by the Company, and to provide for the holder to receive (i) a cash payment in an amount equal to (A) in the case of an option or an SAR, the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the portion of such option or SAR surrendered, to the extent such option or SAR is then exercisable or becomes exercisable pursuant to this Plan or an award Agreement or another agreement, multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of the Change in Control, over the exercise price or base price per share of Common Stock subject to such option or SAR, (B) in the case of a Stock Award or a Performance Award denominated in shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the portion of such award surrendered, to the extent the Restriction Period and Performance Period, if any, on such Stock Award or Performance Award have lapsed or will lapse pursuant to this Plan or an award Agreement or another agreement and to the extent that the Performance Measures, if any, have been satisfied or are deemed satisfied pursuant to this Plan or an award Agreement or another agreement, multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of the Change in Control, and (C) in the case of a Performance Award denominated in cash, the value of the Performance Award then subject to the portion of such award surrendered, to the extent the Performance Period applicable so such

award has lapsed or will lapse pursuant to this Plan or an award Agreement or another agreement and to the extent the Performance Measures applicable to such award have been satisfied or are deemed satisfied pursuant to this Plan or an award Agreement or another agreement; (ii) shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding to the business of the Company pursuant to such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, having a fair market value not less than the amount determined under clause (i) above; or (iii) a combination of the payment of cash pursuant to clause (i) above and the issuance of shares pursuant to clause (ii) above.

 

5.9          Deferrals .  The Committee may determine that the delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash, or a combination thereof, upon the settlement of all or a portion of any award made hereunder shall be deferred, or the Committee may, in its sole discretion, approve deferral elections made by holders of awards.  Deferrals shall be for such periods and upon such terms as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.


 

 

5.10        No Right of Participation, Employment or Service .  Unless otherwise set forth in an employment agreement, no person shall have any right to participate in this Plan.  Neither this Plan nor any award made hereunder shall confer upon any person any right to continued employment by or service with the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or affect in any manner the right of the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company to terminate the employment of any person at any time without liability hereunder.

 

5.11        Rights as Stockholder .  No person shall have any right as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other equity security of the Company which is subject to an award hereunder unless and until such person becomes a stockholder of record with respect to such shares of Common Stock or equity security.

 

5.12        Designation of Beneficiary .  To the extent permitted by the Committee, a holder of an award may file with the Company a written designation of one or more persons as such holder’s beneficiary or beneficiaries (both primary and contingent) in the event of the holder’s death or incapacity.  To the extent an outstanding option or SAR granted hereunder is exercisable, such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall be entitled to exercise such option or SAR pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Company.  Each beneficiary designation shall become effective only when filed in writing with the Company during the holder’s lifetime on a form prescribed by the Company.  The spouse of a married holder domiciled in a community property jurisdiction shall join in any designation of a beneficiary other than such spouse.  The filing with the Company of a new beneficiary designation shall cancel all previously filed beneficiary designations.  If a holder fails to designate a beneficiary, or if all designated beneficiaries of a holder predecease the holder, then each outstanding award held by such holder, to the extent vested or exercisable, shall be payable to or may be exercised by such holder’s executor, administrator, legal representative or similar person.

 

5.13        Governing Law .  This Plan, each award hereunder and the related Agreement, and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant thereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

5.14        Foreign Employees .  Without amending this Plan, the Committee may grant awards to eligible persons who are foreign nationals and/or reside outside of the U.S. on such terms and conditions different from those specified in this Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of this Plan and, in furtherance of such purposes the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of laws in other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate or have employees.

 

5.15        Clawback Policy .  Any award, amount or benefit received under this Plan shall be subject to potential cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or other action in accordance with the terms of any applicable Company clawback policy, as it may be amended from time to time (the “ Policy ”) or any applicable law.  A participant’s receipt of an award constitutes the participant’s acknowledgment of and consent to the Company’s application, implementation and enforcement of (i) the Policy or any similar policy established by the Company that may apply to the participant and (ii) any provision of applicable law relating to cancellation, rescission, payback or recoupment of compensation, as well as the participant’s express agreement that the Company may take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the Policy, any similar policy (as applicable to the participant) or applicable law without further consideration or action.

 

The Effective Date of this amended and restated Plan in accordance with Section  5.1 hereof is April 23, 2019

 


EXHIBIT 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Broadwind Energy, Inc. of our report dated February 26, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Broadwind Energy, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Broadwind Energy, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 

/s/ RSM US LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

April 26, 2019