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): October 31, 2016

 

 

 

Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 001-34018 98-0479924
(State or other Jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Incorporation)   Identification No.)

 

Suite 900, 520 – 3 Avenue SW

Calgary, Alberta, Canada  T2P 0R3

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

 

(403) 265-3221

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

  

 

 

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

 

¨ 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))

 

 

 

  

 

  

Item 3.03.         Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

On October 31, 2016, Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (the “ Company ”) changed its state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (the “ Reincorporation ”) pursuant to a plan of conversion, dated October 31, 2016 (the “ Plan of Conversion ”). The Reincorporation was accomplished by the filing of (i) articles of conversion (the “ Nevada Articles of Conversion ”) with the Nevada Secretary of State, and (ii) a certificate of conversion (the “ Delaware Certificate of Conversion ”) and a certificate of incorporation (the “ Delaware Certificate of Incorporation ”) with the Delaware Secretary of State. Pursuant to the Plan of Conversion, the Company also adopted new bylaws (the “ Delaware Bylaws ”).

 

The Reincorporation was previously submitted to a vote of, and approved by, the Company’s stockholders at its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 23, 2016 (the “ Annual Meeting ”).

 

Apart from being governed by the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation, the Delaware Bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “ DGCL ”), for all other purposes, the Delaware corporation will be the same entity as the Nevada corporation immediately prior to the Reincorporation. By virtue of the Reincorporation, all of the rights, privileges and powers of the Nevada corporation, all property owned by the Nevada corporation, all debts due to the Nevada corporation and all other causes of action belonging to the Nevada corporation immediately prior to the Reincorporation will remain vested in the Delaware corporation following the Reincorporation. In addition, by virtue of the Reincorporation, all debts, liabilities and duties of the Nevada corporation immediately prior to the Reincorporation will remain attached to the Delaware corporation following the Reincorporation. The Delaware corporation will remain as the same entity following the Reincorporation, and the Reincorporation will not affect any change in the Company’s business, management or operations or the location of its principal executive offices.

 

Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of capital stock will be automatically converted into issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Delaware corporation, without any action on the part of the Company’s stockholders. The Reincorporation will have no effect on the trading of the Company’s shares of common stock on the NYSE MKT and Toronto Stock Exchange under the same symbol “GTE”. The Delaware corporation will continue to file periodic reports and other documents as and to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission. Shares of the Company’s capital stock that are freely tradeable prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be freely tradeable as shares of the Delaware corporation’s capital stock, and shares of the Company’s capital stock that are subject to restrictions prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be subject to the same restrictions as shares of the Delaware corporation’s capital stock. The Reincorporation will not change the respective positions of the Company or its stockholders under federal securities laws. Pursuant to the Reincorporation, the Delaware corporation will assume all of the Nevada corporation’s obligations related to convertible or exchangeable securities and other rights to purchase or receive the Nevada corporation’s common stock, including pursuant to (i) the exchangeable shares of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc. that were issued in connection with the transaction between the former stockholders of Solana Resources Limited, an Alberta corporation, and the Company , (ii) the exchangeable shares of Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc. that were issued in connection with the transaction between the former stockholders of Gran Tierra Energy Inc., an Alberta corporation, and Goldstrike, Inc. and (iii) the Company’s convertible notes, which shall become the right to purchase or receive the same number of shares of the Delaware corporation common stock.

 

Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, the Company’s directors and officers will become all of the directors and officers of the Delaware corporation, all of the Company’s employee benefit and incentive plans will become the Delaware corporation’s plans, and each option, equity award or other right issued under such plans will automatically be converted into an option, equity award or right to purchase or receive the same number of shares of the Delaware corporation’s common stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation. The Company’s employment contracts and other employee benefit arrangements also will be continued by the Delaware corporation upon the terms and subject to the conditions in effect at the time of the Reincorporation. Upon the effectiveness of the Reincorporation, the Company will enter into a new indemnity agreement (each, an “ Indemnity Agreement ”) with each director and executive officer of the Delaware corporation based upon provisions of the DGCL. These indemnity agreements will provide, among other things, that the Company will indemnify each such officer or director, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she may be required to pay in actions or proceedings which he is or may be made a party by reason of his position as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and the Delaware Bylaws.

 

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The Company believes that the Reincorporation will not affect any of its material contracts with any third parties, and that its rights and obligations under such material contractual arrangements will continue as rights and obligations of the Delaware corporation.

 

The Nevada corporation’s stockholders will not be required to exchange their Nevada corporation stock certificates for new Delaware corporation stock certificates. The Company’s stockholders should not destroy any stock certificate(s) and should not submit any certificate(s) to the Company or its transfer agent unless and until requested to do so.

 

The Reincorporation will have no effect on the number of shares of common stock, Special A Voting Stock, Special B Voting Stock and preferred stock the Company is authorized to issue. Under the Company’s Nevada Articles of Incorporation, the Company was authorized to issue up to 570,000,000 shares of common stock, one share of Special A Voting Stock, one share of Special B Voting Stock and up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Similarly, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Company to issue up to 570,000,000 shares of common stock, one share of Special A Voting Stock, one share of Special B Voting Stock and up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

Certain rights of the Company’s stockholders were also changed as a result of the Reincorporation, as described in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016, under the section entitled “Proposal 4 – Approval of a change in Gran Tierra’s state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware, pursuant to a plan of conversion – Rights of our Stockholders Prior to and After the Reincorporation from Nevada to Delaware,” which description is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Plan of Conversion, the Nevada Articles of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation, the Delaware Bylaws and the Indemnity Agreements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan of Conversion, the Nevada Articles of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation, the Delaware Bylaws and the form of Indemnity Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

In connection with the Reincorporation, the Company also adopted a new form of common stock certificate, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference


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

 

The information set forth under Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
2.1   Plan of Conversion, dated October 31, 2016.
3.1   Articles of Conversion, as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.
3.2   Certificate of Conversion, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.
3.3   Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.

 

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3.4   Bylaws, effective October 31, 2016.
3.5   Form of Indemnity Agreement.
4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate.
5.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
5.2   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
     
Date: November 3, 2016 By: /s/ David Hardy
    David Hardy
    V.P. Legal and General Counsel

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
2.1   Plan of Conversion, dated October 31, 2016.
3.1   Articles of Conversion, as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.
3.2   Certificate of Conversion, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.
3.3   Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 31, 2016.
3.4   Bylaws, effective October 31, 2016.
3.5   Form of Indemnity Agreement.
4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate.
5.1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
5.2   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

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Exhibit 2.1

PLAN OF CONVERSION

OF

GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.,

A NEVADA CORPORATION,
INTO

GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.,

A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

THIS PLAN OF CONVERSION, dated as of October 31, 2016 (including all of the Exhibits attached hereto, this “ Plan ”), is hereby adopted by Gran Tierra Energy Inc., a Nevada corporation, in order to set forth the terms, conditions and procedures governing the conversion of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation pursuant to Section 265 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “ DGCL ”), and Section 92A.105 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as amended (the “ NRS ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Gran Tierra Energy Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada (the “ Converting Entity ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity has determined that it would be advisable and in the best interests of the Converting Entity and its stockholders for the Converting Entity to convert from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation pursuant to Section 265 of the DGCL and Sections 92A.120 and 92A.250 of the NRS;

 

WHEREAS, the form, terms and provisions of this Plan have been authorized, approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity has submitted this Plan to the stockholders of the Converting Entity for approval; and

 

WHEREAS, this Plan has been authorized, approved and adopted by the stockholders of the Converting Entity.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Converting Entity hereby adopts this Plan as follows:

 

PLAN OF CONVERSION

 

1.             Conversion; Effect of Conversion .

 

(a)          Upon the Effective Time (as defined in Section 3 below), the Converting Entity shall be converted from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation pursuant to Section 265 of the DGCL and Sections 92A.120 and 92A.250 of the NRS (the “ Conversion ”) and the Converting Entity, as converted to a Delaware corporation (the “ Converted Entity ”), shall thereafter be subject to all of the provisions of the DGCL, except that notwithstanding Section 106 of the DGCL, the existence of the Converted Entity shall be deemed to have commenced on the date the Converting Entity commenced its existence in the State of Nevada.

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(b)          Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, the Converted Entity shall, for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware, be deemed to be the same entity as the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time. Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware, all of the rights, privileges and powers of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, as well as all other things and causes of action belonging to the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall remain vested in the Converted Entity and shall be the property of the Converted Entity and the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Conversion; but all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain attached to the Converted Entity upon the Effective Time, and may be enforced against the Converted Entity to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had originally been incurred or contracted by the Converted Entity in its capacity as a corporation of the State of Delaware. The rights, privileges, powers and interests in property of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, as well as the debts, liabilities and duties of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall not be deemed, as a consequence of the Conversion, to have been transferred to the Converted Entity upon the Effective Time for any purpose of the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(c)          The Conversion shall not be deemed to affect any obligations or liabilities of the Converting Entity incurred prior to the Conversion or the personal liability of any person incurred prior to the Conversion.

 

(d)          Upon the Effective Time, the name of the Converted Entity shall remain unchanged and continue to be “Gran Tierra Energy Inc.”

 

(e)          The Converting Entity intends for the Conversion to constitute a tax-free reorganization qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.             Filings . As promptly as practicable following the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Converting Entity, the Converting Entity shall cause the Conversion to be effective by:

 

(a)          executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) Articles of Conversion pursuant to Section 92A.205 of the NRS, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Nevada Articles of Conversion ”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada;

 

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(b)          executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) a Certificate of Conversion pursuant to Sections 103 and 265 of the DGCL, in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the “ Delaware Certificate of Conversion ”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and

 

(c)          executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) a Certificate of Incorporation of the Converted Entity, in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “ Delaware Certificate of Incorporation ”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

3.              Effective Time . The Conversion shall become effective upon the last to occur of the filing of the Nevada Articles of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Conversion and the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation (the time of the effectiveness of the Conversion, the “ Effective Time ”).

 

4.              Effect of Conversion .

 

(a)           Effect on Common Stock . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converting Entity (“ Converting Entity Common Stock ”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converted Entity (“ Converted Entity Common Stock ”).

 

(b)           Effect on Special A Voting Stock . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each share of Special A Voting Stock of the Converting Entity (“ Converting Entity Special A Voting Stock ”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into one share of Special A Voting Stock of the Converted Entity (“ Converted Entity Special A Voting Stock ”).

 

(c)           Effect on Special B Voting Stock . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each share of Special B Voting Stock of the Converting Entity (“ Converting Entity Special B Voting Stock ”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into one share of Special B Voting Stock of the Converted Entity (“ Converted Entity Special B Voting Stock ”).

 

(d)           Effect on Outstanding Stock Options . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each option to acquire shares of Converting Entity Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into an equivalent option to acquire, upon the same terms and conditions (including the vesting schedule and exercise price per share applicable to each such option) as were in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, the same number of shares of Converted Entity Common Stock.

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(e)           Effect on Outstanding Convertible or Exchangeable Securities or Other Rights . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each convertible or exchangeable security or other right to acquire or receive shares of Converting Entity Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, including the shares of Converting Entity Common Stock issuable upon exchange of exchangeable shares of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc., the shares of Converting Entity Common Stock issuable upon exchange of exchangeable shares of Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc. and the convertible notes shall convert into an equivalent convertible or exchangeable security or other right to acquire or receive, upon the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, the same number of shares of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(f)           Effect on Stock Certificates . All of the outstanding certificates representing shares of Converting Entity Common Stock, Converting Entity Special A Voting Stock and Converting Entity Special B Voting Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed for all purposes to continue to evidence ownership of and to represent the same number of shares of Converted Entity Common Stock, Converted Entity Special A Voting Stock and Converted Entity Special B Voting Stock, as applicable.

 

(g )           Effect on Employee Benefit, Equity Incentive or Other Similar Plans . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each employee benefit plan, equity incentive plan or other similar plan to which the Converting Entity is a party shall continue to be a plan of the Converted Entity. To the extent that any such plan provides for the issuance of Converting Entity Common Stock, upon the Effective Time, such plan shall be deemed to provide for the issuance of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(h)          Effect of Conversion on Directors and Officers . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Converting Entity holding their respective offices in the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue in their respective offices as members of the Board of Directors and officers, respectively, of the Converted Entity.

 

5.              Further Assurances . If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Converted Entity shall determine or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, agreements, documents or assurances or any other acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper, consistent with the terms of this Plan, (a) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Converted Entity its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, purposes, franchises, properties or assets of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (b) to otherwise carry out the purposes of this Plan, the Converted Entity and its officers and directors (or their designees), are hereby authorized to solicit in the name of the Converted Entity any third-party consents or other documents required to be delivered by any third party, to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Converted Entity, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments, agreements, documents and assurances and do, in the name and on behalf of the Converted Entity, all such other acts and things necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, purposes, franchises, properties or assets of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Plan.

 

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6.             Delaware Bylaws . As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Board of the Converted Entity shall adopt the Bylaws of Gran Tierra Energy Inc., substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.

 

7.             Delaware Indemnification Agreements . As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Converted Entity shall enter into an Indemnification Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto with each member of the Board of Directors of the Converted Entity and each executive officer of the Converted Entity.

 

8.             Copy of Plan of Conversion . After the Conversion, a copy of this Plan will be kept on file at the offices of the Converted Entity, and any stockholder of the Converted Entity (or former stockholder of the Converting Entity) may request a copy of this Plan at no charge at any time.

 

9.             Termination . At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Plan may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity, such action would be in the best interests of the Converting Entity and its stockholders. In the event of termination of this Plan, this Plan shall become void and of no further force or effect.

 

10.           Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Plan shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than as expressly provided herein.

 

11.           Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Plan will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Plan is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Plan.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby causes this Plan to be duly executed as of the date hereof.

 

  GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
   
  a Nevada corporation
   
  /s/ David Hardy
   
  By: David Hardy
   
  Its: V.P. Legal and General Counsel

 

Signature Page to Plan of Conversion

 

   

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

Exhibit 3.2

STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION
FROM A NON-DELAWARE CORPORATION
TO A DELAWARE CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO SECTION 265 OF THE
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

 

October 31, 2016

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 265 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Gran Tierra Energy Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Nevada (the “Non-Delaware Corporation”), hereby executes this Certificate of Conversion (the “Certificate”) for the purpose of converting the Non-Delaware Corporation into a Delaware Corporation (the “Corporation”) and, in connection therewith, does hereby certify:

 

FIRST : The jurisdiction where the Non-Delaware Corporation first formed is the State of Nevada.
 
SECOND : The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is the State of Nevada.
 
THIRD : The date the Non-Delaware Corporation first formed is June 6, 2003.
 
FOURTH : The name of the Non-Delaware Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
 

FIFTH : The name of the Corporation as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation is Gran Tierra Energy

Inc.

 

(Signature Page Follows)

   

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned being duly authorized to sign on behalf of the converting Non-Delaware Corporation has executed this Certificate on the date first written above.

 

  GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
     
  By: /s/ David Hardy
  Name: David Hardy
  Title: V.P. Legal and General Counsel

 

Signature Page to

Delaware Certificate of Conversion

Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

 

   

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.

 

The undersigned, a natural person (the “Incorporator”) for the purpose of organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware hereby certifies that:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of this corporation is Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 in New Castle County, Delaware. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Corporation is authorized to issue four classes of stock to be designated respectively Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), Special A Voting Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Special A Voting Stock”), Special B Voting Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Special B Voting Stock”), and Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 595,000,002, consisting of 570,000,000 shares of Common Stock, one (1) share of Special A Voting Stock, one (1) share of Special B Voting Stock and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.

 

A. Common Stock

 

Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their vote. All Common Stock of the Corporation shall have the same rights and preferences. All Common Stock when issued shall be fully paid and non-assessable. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Corporation may, at its discretion and by resolution of the Board, issue any authorized but unissued Common Stock of the Corporation which has not been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of any outstanding warrants, options, or other documents evidencing the right to acquire the Common Stock of the Corporation. Cumulative voting shall not be permitted for the election of individuals to the Corporation’s Board or for any other matters brought before any meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, regardless of the nature thereof. Stockholders of the Corporation’s Common Stock shall not be entitled to any pre-emptive or preferential rights to acquire additional Common Stock of the Corporation.

 

B. Special A Voting Stock

 

The Special A Voting Stock shall have the designation, preferences and rights as set forth below:

 

1. Number of Shares: There shall be one (1) share of Special A Voting Stock.

 

2. Dividends or distributions: Neither the holder nor, if different, the owner of the Special A Voting Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions in its capacity as holder or owner thereof.

 

3. Voting Rights: The holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

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3.1 The holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall be entitled to vote on each matter on which stockholders of the Corporation generally are entitled to vote, and the holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall be entitled, in accordance with and subject to paragraph 3.2 below, to cast on each such matter a number of votes equal to the number of non-voting exchangeable shares (“Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares”) of Gran Tierra Goldstrike, Inc., an Alberta corporation, and its successors-at-law, whether by merger, amalgamation or otherwise, then outstanding that are not owned by the Corporation or any other entity of which a majority of the shares (or similar interests) entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such other entity is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (any such entity a “subsidiary” of the Corporation).

 

3.2 The holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall have the right to receive notice of and to attend and, subject to paragraph 3.4 below, vote at any general meeting of the Corporation as follows:

 

(a) on a show of hands, the holder of the Special A Voting Stock, or its proxy, shall have one vote in addition to any votes which may be cast by a holder of Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares (other than Corporation and any subsidiary of the Corporation) (a “Goldstrike Beneficiary”) (or its nominee) on such show of hands as proxy for the holder of the Special A Voting Stock in accordance with paragraph 3.4 below;

 

(b) on a poll, the holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall have one vote for every Goldstrike Exchangeable Share then outstanding (a) that is owned by a Goldstrike Beneficiary, and (b) as to which the holder of the Special A Voting Stock has received timely voting instructions from the Goldstrike Beneficiary. Votes may be given either personally or by proxy and a Goldstrike Beneficiary entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

 

3.3 The holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall be entitled to demand that a poll be taken on any resolution, whether before or after a show of hands.

 

3.4 If so instructed by a Goldstrike Beneficiary, the holder of the Special A Voting Stock shall be entitled to appoint the Goldstrike Beneficiary, or such other person as that Goldstrike Beneficiary nominates, as proxy to attend and to exercise personally in place of the holder of the Special A Voting Stock that number of votes equal to the number of Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares held by the Goldstrike Beneficiary (the “Goldstrike Beneficiary Votes”). A proxy need not be a stockholder of the Corporation. A Goldstrike Beneficiary (or its nominee) exercising its Goldstrike Beneficiary Votes shall have the same rights as the holder of the Special A Voting Stock to speak at the meeting in favor of any matter and to vote on a show of hands or on a poll in respect of any matter proposed.

 

4. Redemption: At such time as no Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares (other than Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares belonging to the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation) shall be outstanding and there are no shares of stock, debt, options, rights, warrants, or other securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for, or other agreements which could give rise to the issuance of, any Goldstrike Exchangeable Shares to any person (other than the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation), the share of Special A Voting Stock shall be automatically redeemed for $0.001, but only out of funds legally available therefor, and upon any such redemption of the Special A Voting Stock by the Corporation, the share of Special A Voting Stock shall be deemed retired and cancelled and may not be reissued.

 

5. Voting as a Single Class: Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law, the holder of the Special A Voting Stock, the holder of the Special B Voting Stock and the holders of the Common Stock, together with any other class or series of the Corporation’s voting stock to the extent provided in the applicable certificate(s) of amendment or designation, shall vote together as one class for the appointment of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

C. Special B Voting Stock

 

The Special B Voting Stock shall have the designation, preferences and rights as set forth below:

 

1. Number of Shares: There shall be one (1) share of Special B Voting Stock.

 

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2. Dividends or distributions: Neither the holder nor, if different, the owner of the Special B Voting Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions in its capacity as holder or owner thereof.

 

3. Voting Rights: The holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

3.1 The holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall be entitled to vote on each matter on which stockholders of the Corporation generally are entitled to vote, and the holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall be entitled, in accordance with and subject to paragraph 3.2 below, to cast on each such matter a number of votes equal to the number of non-voting exchangeable shares (“Solana Exchangeable Shares”) of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc., an Alberta corporation, and its successors-at-law, whether by merger, amalgamation or otherwise, then outstanding that are not owned by the Corporation or its affiliates (as such term is defined in the Securities Act (Alberta)) (any such entity an “affiliate” of the Corporation).

 

3.2 The holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall have the right to receive notice of and to attend and, subject to paragraph 3.4 below, vote at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation as follows:

 

(a) on a show of hands, the holder of the Special B Voting Stock, or its proxy, shall have one vote for each Solana Exchangeable Share then outstanding (i) that is owned by a holder of Solana Exchangeable Shares (other than the Corporation and any affiliate of the Corporation) (a “Solana Beneficiary”) and (ii) as to which the holder of the Special B Voting Stock has received timely voting instructions from the Solana Beneficiary;

 

(b) on a poll, the holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall have one vote for each Solana Exchangeable Share then outstanding (i) that is owned by a Solana Beneficiary, and (ii) as to which the holder of the Special B Voting Stock has received timely voting instructions from the Solana Beneficiary.

 

Votes may be given either personally or by proxy and a Solana Beneficiary entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

 

3.3 The holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall be entitled to demand that a poll be taken on any resolution, whether before or after a show of hands.

 

3.4 If so instructed by a Solana Beneficiary, the holder of the Special B Voting Stock shall be entitled to appoint the Solana Beneficiary, or such other person as that Solana Beneficiary nominates, as proxy to attend and to exercise personally in place of the holder of the Special B Voting Stock that number of votes equal to the number of Solana Exchangeable Shares held by the Solana Beneficiary (the “Solana Beneficiary Votes”). A proxy need not be a stockholder of the Corporation. A Solana Beneficiary (or its nominee) exercising its Solana Beneficiary Votes by such a proxy shall have the same rights as the holder of the Special B Voting Stock to speak at the meeting in favor of any matter and, with respect to the number of Solana Exchangeable Shares subject to such proxy, to vote on a show of hands or on a poll in respect of any matter proposed.

 

4. Redemption: At such time as no Solana Exchangeable Shares (other than Solana Exchangeable Shares belonging to the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation) shall be outstanding and there are no shares of stock, debt, options, rights, warrants, or other securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for, or other agreements which could give rise to the issuance of, any Solana Exchangeable Shares to any person (other than the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation), the share of Special B Voting Stock shall be automatically redeemed for $0.001, but only out of funds legally available therefor, and upon any such redemption of the Special B Voting Stock by the Corporation, the share of Special B Voting Stock shall be deemed retired and cancelled and may not be reissued.

 

5. Voting as a Single Class: Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law, the holder of the Special B Voting Stock, the holder of the Special A Voting Stock and the holders of the Common Stock, together with any other class or series of the Corporation’s voting stock to the extent provided in the applicable certificate(s) of amendment or designation, shall vote together as one class for the election or appointment of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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D. Preferred Stock

 

The aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares, $0.001 par value, which may be issued in such series, with such powers, designations, preferences, stated values, rights, qualifications, restrictions or limitations as determined solely by the Board in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series of Preferred Stock.

 

1. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock.

 

(a)          The 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 as hereafter prescribed.

 

(b)          Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Board to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each class or series of the Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the designation and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions relating to each class or series of the 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 class or series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class 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 preferences, 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 a 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 dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;

 

(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 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 special rights and protective provisions with respect to any class or series as may to the Board seem advisable.

 

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(c)          The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The Board may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The Board may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution subtracting from such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such existing class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

 

ARTICLE V

 

A director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right arising prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

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 (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party 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 or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (any such entity, an “Other Entity”), against all liability and loss suffered (including, but not limited to expenses (including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Covered Person in connection with any such Proceeding), provided that the Covered Person acted in good faith and in a manner such Covered Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any Proceeding that is criminal in nature, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the Covered Person did not act in good faith and in a manner in which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal proceeding he or she had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The Corporation shall not indemnify a Covered Person for any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the Corporation or for any amounts paid in settlement to the Corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the Proceeding was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Covered Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts as the court deems proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in this Article V, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person unless the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

 

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by (i) a former or current officer or director of the Corporation, or (ii) any person designated by the Board as a person subject to this advancement provision, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by such former or current officer or director or designated person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that such former or current officer or director or designated person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article V or otherwise.

 

The rights conferred upon any person under this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation, or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity, and as to action in any other capacity while holding such office.

 

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No amendment to, or repeal of, any of the provisions of this Article V will adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal of these provisions. Indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall continue, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.

 

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

 

ARTICLE VI

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the statute, the Board is expressly authorized:

(a) Subject to the Bylaws, if any, adopted by the stockholders, to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

(b) To authorize and cause to be executed, mortgages and liens upon the real and personal property of the Corporation.

(c) By resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, to designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution, or in the Bylaws of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Such committee, or committees, shall have such name, or names as may be stated in the Bylaws of the Corporation, or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, and the number of directors may from time to time be increased or decreased in such manner as shall be provided by the Bylaws, provided that the number of directors shall not be reduced to fewer than one (1). Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide, the election of directors need not be by written ballot .Any director, or the entire Board, may be removed, with or without cause, from office at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Advance notice of new business at stockholders’ meetings and stockholder proposals and stockholder nominations for the election of directors shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the laws of the State of Delaware) outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

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ARTICLE XII

 

The name and mailing address of the Incorporator is as follows:

 

David Hardy

 

Suite 900, 520 – 3 Avenue SW

 

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0R3

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Incorporation has been subscribed this 31st day of October, 2016 by the undersigned who affirms that the statements made herein are true and correct.

 

  /s/ David Hardy
  David Hardy
  Incorporator

 

   

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

BYLAWS

OF

GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.

(Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware)

 

Article I

 

OFFICES AND RECORDS

 

Section (1) Registered Office. The registered office of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be located at The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 in New Castle County, Delaware. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. 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 of Directors” or the “Board”) in the manner provided by applicable law.

 

Section (2) Other Offices. The Corporation may have such offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

 

Section (3) Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

Article II

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section (1) Annual Meeting. Annual meetings of stockholders for the election of directors and for such other business as may be stated in the notice of the meeting, shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine and as set forth in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote shall elect a Board of Directors, and they may transact such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section (2) Special Meeting.

 

a.     Special meetings of the stockholders may be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine in accordance with this Article II, Section (2) and as set forth in the notice of the meeting.

 

b.     A special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Chairman of the Board, by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by the Secretary upon the written request (a “Special Meeting Request”) of holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding common stock of the Corporation (the “Requisite Percentage”) at the time such request is properly submitted by the holders of the Requisite Percentage. A Special Meeting Request must be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices and shall be signed by each stockholder requesting the special meeting (each, a “Requesting Stockholder”) and shall be accompanied by a notice setting forth the information required by Article II, Section (6) of the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) with respect to each such Requesting Stockholder. In determining whether a Special Meeting Request has been properly requested, multiple Special Meeting Requests delivered to the Secretary will be considered together only if (i) each Special Meeting Request identifies the same purpose or purposes of the special meeting and the same matters to be acted on at such meeting (in each case as determined in good faith by the Board) and (ii) such Special Meeting Requests have been dated and delivered to the Secretary within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated Special Meeting Request. Requesting Stockholders who collectively hold at least the Requisite Percentage on the date the Special Meeting Request is submitted to the Secretary must (A) continue to hold at least the number of shares of common stock set forth in the Special Meeting Request with respect to each such Requesting Stockholder through the date of the special meeting and (B) submit a written certification (an “Ownership Certification”) confirming the continuation of such holdings on the business day immediately preceding the special meeting, which Ownership Certification shall include any information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws as of the date of such special meeting with respect to each such Requesting Stockholder. For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to a Special Meeting Request, no stockholder other than a Requesting Stockholder shall be required to provide the information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws.

 

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c.     A special meeting called pursuant to Article II, Section (2)(b) shall be held at such date, time and place as determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws; provided , however , that the date of any special meeting called by the Secretary pursuant to a Special Meeting Request shall not be more than 90 days after a Special Meeting Request that satisfies the requirements of this Section (2) is received by the Secretary. The date, time and place of such special meeting shall be set forth in the notice of special meeting. If a valid Special Meeting Request is received by the Secretary subsequent to a valid Special Meeting Request and before the date of the corresponding special meeting of stockholders, all items of business contained in the subsequent Special Meeting Request may be presented at one special meeting.

 

d.     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section (2), a special meeting requested by stockholders pursuant to Section (2)(b) shall not be held if (i) the Special Meeting Request does not comply with this Section (2); (ii) the Special Meeting Request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law; (iii) the Special Meeting Request is received by the Corporation during the period commencing 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting and ending on the date of the next annual meeting; (iv) an annual or special meeting of stockholders that included a similar item of business (“Similar Item”) (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) was held not more than 120 days before the Special Meeting Request was received by the Secretary; (v) the Board of Directors has called or calls for an annual or special meeting of stockholders to be held within 90 days after the Special Meeting Request is received by the Secretary and the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the business to be conducted at such meeting includes a Similar Item; (vi) such Special Meeting Request was made in a manner that involved a violation of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Exchange Act”), or other applicable law; or (vii) two or more special meetings of stockholders called pursuant to the request of stockholders have been held within the 12-month period before the Special Meeting Request was received by the Secretary.

 

e.     Any Requesting Stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s participation in a Special Meeting Request at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices and if, following any such revocation, there are outstanding requests from stockholders holding less than the Requisite Percentage in accordance with this Section (2), the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, cancel the special meeting. If none of the Requesting Stockholders appears or sends a duly authorized agent to present the business to be presented for consideration that was specified in the Special Meeting Request, or if the Ownership Certification does not satisfy the requirements set forth in Section (2)(b) of these Bylaws, the Corporation need not present such business for a vote at such special meeting.

 

f.     Business conducted at a special meeting requested by stockholders pursuant to Section (2)(b) of these Bylaws shall be limited to the matters described in the applicable Special Meeting Request; provided , however , the Board of Directors shall not be prohibited from submitting matters to the stockholders at any such special meeting requested by stockholders.

 

Section (3) Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice, stating the date, time and place of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered by the Corporation not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such 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 address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law. 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.

 

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Section (4) Quorum, Chairman of the Meeting, Conduct of Meetings and Postponement .

 

a.      Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Stock”), which shares represent a majority of the total number of votes which may be cast by all holders of Voting Stock by virtue of holding such Voting Stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. The Chairman of the Meeting (as defined below) or a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn or recess the meeting at any time and for any reason, whether or not there is a quorum. When a meeting is adjourned or recessed to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned or recessed meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned or recessed meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment or recess is taken. At the adjourned or recessed meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment or recess is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned or recessed meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment or recess a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned or recessed meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned or recessed meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned or recessed meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned or recessed meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned or recessed meeting.

 

b.      Chairman of the Meeting. The Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or at his direction, the Chief Executive Officer, or in his absence, the President, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders or, if such officers are not present at a meeting, by such other person as the Board of Directors shall designate or if no such person is designated by the Board of Directors, the most senior officer of the Corporation present at the meeting (such person, the “Chairman of the Meeting”). The Secretary, if present, shall act as secretary of each meeting of stockholders; if the Secretary is not present at a meeting, the Chairman of the Meeting may appoint any other person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

c.      Conduct of the Meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate and which do not conflict with applicable provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws. Except to the extent inconsistent with applicable provisions of law or the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws and such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and do all such acts as, in the judgment of such Chairman of the Meeting, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the Chairman of the Meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the Chairman of the Meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (v) restrictions on the use of audio or video recording devices at the meeting and (vi) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.

 

d.      Postponement . The Board of Directors may, at any time prior to the holding of a meeting of stockholders, and for any reason, cancel, postpone or reschedule such meeting by public announcement made prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders. The meeting may be postponed or rescheduled to such time and place as is specified in the notice of postponement or rescheduling of such meeting. For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reportable by any national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Section (5) Voting. Each stockholder shall be entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from the date of its creation, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest legally sufficient to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing with the person recording the proceedings of the meeting an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date.

  

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The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided , however , if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section (5) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) 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, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such 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.

 

Section (6) Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

 

a.      Annual Meetings of the Stockholders . Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Bylaw, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in these Bylaws.

 

(1)     For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) above, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 30th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 65th day prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is less than 50 days after the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Corporation, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of adjournment or recess of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(2)     Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director: (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each such nominee; (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee; (iii) the number of shares of each class of the capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee; (iv) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-11 thereunder, (v) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (vi) a complete and accurate description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between the stockholder giving the notice, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, his or her respective affiliates and associates (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any other persons with whom such proposed nominee (or any of his or her respective affiliates and associates) is acting in concert and (vii) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Article II, Section (6)(c)(1) of these Bylaws. The stockholder’s notice must also contain, as to the stockholder giving the notice, all the information and representations set forth in clauses (ii) through (vi) of Section (6)(a)(3) below.

  

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(3)     A stockholder’s notice shall set forth as to any business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and of such beneficial owner, if any, (iv) (A) the class or series, if any, and number of shares of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, swap 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 capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) owned beneficially by such stockholder or any such beneficial owner and any other opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, has a right to vote any shares of the Corporation, (D) 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 has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (F) 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 such beneficial owner, if any, is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, 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 such beneficial owner’s, if any, immediate family sharing the same household, and (H) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such stockholder in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, (v) a summary of any material discussions regarding the business proposed to be brought before the meeting between such stockholder and any other record or beneficial holder of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation (including their names) and (vi) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares entitled to vote at the meeting, will continue to be a holder of record of shares entitled to vote at the meeting through the date of the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make the proposal.

 

(4)     Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increase of the Board of Directors at least seventy (70) 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 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.

 

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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 and as shall have been accompanied by a notice setting forth the information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws, as if such Section were applicable to special meetings of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders in which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) pursuant to Article II, Section (2) of these Bylaws and (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Bylaw and at the time of the special meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such nomination. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder 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 its stockholder’s notice required by these Bylaws shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 100th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominee, proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, recess or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

c.      General .

 

(1)      Director Questionnaire and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, each proposed nominee must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Article II, Section (6)) to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such proposed nominee (A) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote 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 proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding 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 that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (C) in such proposed nominee’s individual capacity and on behalf of the stockholder (or the beneficial owner, if different) on whose behalf the nomination is made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with applicable, publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

 

(2)      Additional Information Requests . The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information (A) as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation in accordance with Section 803 of the NYSE MKT Rules and the Corporation’s corporate governance documents, including the Board committee charters and the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, or (B) that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence or lack of independence of such proposed nominee.

 

(3)      Duty to Update and Supplement Notice . A stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought or of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Article II, Section (6) shall be true and correct (A) as of the record date for the meeting and (B) as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed to and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven (7) business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to) any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof).

 

(4)     Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders and shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures act forth in these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the Meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Bylaw, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

 

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(5)     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. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-5 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section (7) Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote. Election of directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected shall be by ballot. Directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Voting Shares at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present; provided , however , that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. For purposes of this Section (7), a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director nominee. Unless the director election standard is a plurality, if a director is not elected by a majority of votes cast, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors for consideration. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) of the Corporation shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the director’s resignation or whether other action should be taken. The Nominating Committee shall recommend, and the Board of Directors’ decision shall be, to accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances. The resignation will be effective when accepted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall act on the Nominating Committee’s recommendation within ninety (90) days from the date of the meeting of stockholders and publicly disclose its decision. If the Board of Directors determines not to accept a resignation, the public disclosure shall fully state the reasons for such decision. A director who tenders his or her resignation for consideration shall not participate in the Nominating Committee’s or the Board of Directors’ recommendation or decision, or any deliberations related thereto. If a director’s resignation is accepted by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section (7), or if a nominee for director is not elected, then the Board of Directors may fill the resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Article III, Section (2) or may decrease the size of the Board of Directors pursuant to Article III, Section (2). Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election or removal of directors, the affirmative vote of shares representing a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

 

Section (8) Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls. The Board of Directors by resolution 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 is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Meeting may appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability.

 

The Chairman of the Meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting 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. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations thereof or changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware upon application by a stockholder shall determine otherwise.

 

Section (9) Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by law, and subject to the procedures set forth in this Section (9), any action required to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if written consents are signed by stockholders holding Voting Stock representing a majority of votes entitled to be cast at such a meeting, except however, if a different portion of voting power is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, then that proportion of written consents is required. Such written consents must be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders of the Corporation and must be delivered to the Corporation’s registered office or principal place of business in a manner permitted by law.

 

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a.     In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary (each such notice, a “Record Date Request”), request the Board of Directors fix a record date for such purpose; provided , however , that any such Record Date Request must be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices by a holder or holders of record of at least 10% of the outstanding common stock of the Corporation as of the time such Record Date Request is properly submitted by such holder or holders. To be properly submitted, a Record Date Request must (i) be signed by each stockholder requesting the Board of Directors fix a record date (each such stockholder, a “Record Date Requesting Stockholder”) and (ii) be accompanied by a notice setting forth the information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws as of the date of such Record Date Request with respect to each Record Date Requesting Stockholder. In determining whether a Record Date Request has been properly requested, multiple Record Date Requests delivered to the Secretary will be considered together only if (x) each Record Date Request identifies the same purpose or purposes of the proposed action by written consent and the same matters to be acted on by written consent (in each case as determined in good faith by the Board) and (y) such Record Date Request has been dated and delivered to the Secretary within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated Record Date Request. Record Date Requesting Stockholders who collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding common stock of the Corporation at the time the Record Date Request is submitted to the Secretary must (A) continue to hold at least the number of shares of common stock set forth in the Record Date Request with respect to each Record Date Requesting Stockholder through the date that any corporate action by written consent becomes effective and (B) submit a written certification confirming the continuation of such holdings on the business day immediately preceding the date that any corporate action by written consent becomes effective, which certification shall include any information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws as of the date that any corporate action by written consent becomes effective with respect to each such Record Date Requesting Stockholder. For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to a Record Date Request, no stockholder other than a Record Date Requesting Stockholder shall be required to provide the information required by Article II, Section (6) of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such Record Date Request is received by the Secretary, adopt a resolution fixing such record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a Record Date Request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, 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 by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

b.     Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required hereby to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law.

 

c.     A facsimile, electronic mail message, telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission (each an “electronic transmission”) consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes hereof if such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can determine: (i) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery in a manner permitted by applicable law.

 

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d.     Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

 

e.     In the event of the delivery to the Corporation of a written consent or consents purporting to represent the requisite voting power to authorize or take corporate action and/or any related revocations, the Secretary shall provide for the safekeeping of such consents and revocations. The Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may designate, shall, as promptly as practicable, conduct a ministerial review of the validity of the consents and/or any related revocations deemed necessary and appropriate; provided , however , that if the corporate action to which the written consent relates is the removal or replacement of one or more members of the Board of Directors, the Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may designate, shall promptly designate two persons, who may be employees of the Corporation, but who shall not be members of the Board of Directors or officers of the Corporation, to serve as inspectors with respect to such written consent and such inspectors shall discharge the functions of the Secretary, or such other officer of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may designate, under this Section (9).

 

f.     No action by written consent without a meeting shall be effective until such date as the Secretary, such other officer of the Corporation as designated by the Board of Directors or inspectors as appointed in accordance with this Section (9)(e), as applicable, completes their review, determines that the consents delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section (9) represent 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 certifies such determination to the Board of Directors for entry in the records of the Corporation kept for the purpose of recording the proceedings of meetings of stockholders.

 

g.     Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided herein.

 

h.     Any stockholder giving a written consent, or the stockholder’s proxyholder, may revoke the consent in any manner permitted by applicable law.

 

Article III

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section (1) General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section (2) Number, Tenure and Qualifications .

 

a.     The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one (1) and not more than nine (9) directors. The number of directors may be fixed and changed from time to time by a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with this Section (2)(a). All directors are in the same class and shall have equal voting rights.

 

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b.     The directors shall hold office until the next meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing the Board of Directors or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified, or until a director’s prior death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice of such resignation to the Corporation.

 

c.     A vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any reason other than removal may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors, or a sole remaining director, though less than a quorum. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of removal shall be filled by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.

 

d.     Between successive annual meetings, the directors shall have the power to appoint one or more additional directors to fill any vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors for any reason other than removal. A director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual meeting of the Corporation or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, but such director shall be eligible for election at the next meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors and the number of directors will be increased accordingly.

 

Section (3) Notice of Meeting. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than as provided by these Bylaws immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the time and place for the holding of different or additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

 

Section (4) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the President or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place and time of the meetings.

 

Section (5) Notice. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at his business or residence in writing, by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, telegram or facsimile transmission, electronic mail or other electronic transmission, or orally, including in person or by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least two (2) days before such meeting. If by telegram, overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company or the notice a delivered to the overnight mail or courier service at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by facsimile transmission or electronic mail or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. If orally, including in person or by telephone, or by hand delivery, the notice shall be given at least twelve (12) hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these Bylaws, as provided under Article VIII. 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 Article VI, Section (3) of these Bylaws.

 

Section (6) Action by Consent of Board of Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors 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 or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section (7) Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar 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.

 

Section (8) Quorum. Subject to Article III, Section (2), a whole number of directors equal to at least a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn or recess the meeting from time to time without further notice. 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 of Directors. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment or recess, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

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Section (9) Executive and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, designate one or more committees to exercise, subject to applicable provisions at law, the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation when the Board is not in session. Each such committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution and in the charter of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors when required.

 

A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Article III, Section (5) of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided , however , that no such committees shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.

 

Section (10) Records. The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registered and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.

 

Section (11) Compensation. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors or as members of committees, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefore.

 

Article IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section (1) Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be: a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may he conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chairman of the Board or President 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 or by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or President, as the case may be.

 

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Section (2) Election and Term of Office. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected from time to time, but no less than annually, by the Board of Directors at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign, but any officer (other than the Chairman of the Board or President) may be removed from office at any time by either the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by the Chairman of the Board or President. The Chairman of the Board and the President may only be removed from office by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.

 

Section (3) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to his office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board of Directors. He shall make reports to the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chairman of the Board may also serve as President, if so elected by the Board of Directors.

 

Section (4) President. The President shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chairman of the Board in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs. The President 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 of Directors.

 

Section (5) Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section (6) Treasurer . The Treasurer shall be a Vice President and act in an executive financial capacity. He shall assist the Chairman of the Board and the President in the general supervision of the Corporation’s financial policies and affairs. The Treasurer 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 bank, as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. He shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him from time to time, by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section (7) 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 shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law; he shall be custodian of the records; and he 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 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 by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section (8) Removal. Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board of Directors may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the President may be removed by him whenever, in his judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. 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 successor, his death, his resignation or his removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee compensation plan.

 

Section (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 of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the President because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chairman of the Board or the President, as the case may be.

 

 

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Article V

 

STOCK, STOCK CERTIFICATES, TRANSFERS AND RECORD DATE

 

Section (1) Stock. Stock shall be issued in accordance with the Fourth section of the Certificate of Incorporation at a fair market value determined by the Board of Directors. Consideration received by the Corporation for such shares shall not be in the form of promissory notes or services to be performed, or any combination thereof.

 

Section (2) Stock Certificates, Uncertificated Shares and Transfers. The interest of each stockholder of the Corporation shall be in shares of stock, which shall be either uncertificated shares or certificated shares. Certificated shares shall be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock in such form as the proper officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe. The certificates of stock shall be signed, counter-signed and registered in such manner as the Board of Directors 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 have 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 were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section (3) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. No certificate for shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, nor shall the shares of stock represented by such certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen be represented by uncertificated shares, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft of the certificate 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 of Directors or any financial officer may in its or his discretion require.

 

Section (4) Transfer of Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorney or legal representatives, and upon such transfer the old certificates (in the case of shares of stock represented by certificates) shall be surrendered to the Corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers, or to such other person as the directors may designate, by whom they shall be cancelled, and new certificates (or no certificates in the event that such shares are to be uncertificated) shall thereupon be issued. A record shall be made of each transfer and whenever a transfer shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer.

 

Section (5) Stockholders Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment or recess thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment or recess of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned or recessed meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned or recessed meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 at the adjourned meeting.

 

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 the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

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Article VI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section (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.

 

Section (2) Dividends. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section (3) 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 or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person or persons entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws.

 

Section (4) Resignations. Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chairman of the Board, 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 President, or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. No formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

 

Section (5) 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 any portion of any provision of these Bylaws shall be 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 shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction and these Bylaws shall 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.

 

Article VII

CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.

 

Section (1) Contracts. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed for or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President of the Corporation may delegate contractual powers to others under his jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

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Section (2) Voting of Shares in Other Corporations. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at a meeting of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he may deem necessary or proper in the premises.

 

Article VIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section (1) By Stockholders . All Bylaws of the Corporation shall be subject to alteration or repeal, and new Bylaws may be made by the stockholders holding no less than a majority of the votes represented by the then-issued and outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, at an annual meeting or special meeting called for that purpose.

 

Section (2) By Directors . The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal, from time to time, the Bylaws of the Corporation, provided , however , the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of all of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Voting Stock shall be required to amend Article III, Section 2(a) of these Bylaws.

 

Article IX

 

INDEMNITY

 

Section (1) Liabilities and Expenses in Actions . 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 (an “Indemnitee”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party 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 or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (any such entity, an “Other Entity”), against all liability and loss suffered (including, but not limited to expenses (including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding), provided that the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any Proceeding that is criminal in nature, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner in which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal proceeding he or she had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee for any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the Corporation or for any amounts paid in settlement to the Corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the Proceeding was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts as the court deems proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in this Article IX, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee unless the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

 

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Section (2) Breach of Fiduciary Duty . A director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right arising prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section (3) Repeal . No amendment to, or repeal of, any of the provisions of this Article IX will adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal of these provisions.

 

Section (4) Advancement of Expenses . The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by (i) a former or current officer or director of the Corporation, or (ii) any person designated by the Board as a person subject to this advancement provision, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by such former or current officer or director or designated person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that such former or current officer or director or designated person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article X or otherwise.

 

Section (5) Non-Exclusivity . The rights conferred upon any person under this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, any other provision of these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity, and as to action in any other capacity while holding such office. This Article IX shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

 

Section (6) Continuation . Indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IX shall continue, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.

 

Article X

forum for Adjudication of Disputes

 

Section (1) Exclusive Forum . To the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the corporation or on its behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, stockholder or other agent of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action arising or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or any provision of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. 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 X.

 

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Exhibit 3.5

  

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnity Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of October 31, 2016, is made by and between Gran Tierra Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [•] (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

Recitals

 

A. The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals as directors, officers, employees and agents.

 

B. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Certificate ”) and the Company’s bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”) require that the Company indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents and advance defense expenses to its directors and officers, as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “ DGCL ”), under which the Company is organized and such Certificate and Bylaws expressly provide that the indemnification provided therein is not exclusive and contemplates that the Company may enter into separate agreements with its directors, officers and other persons to set forth specific indemnification and advancement provisions.

 

C. Indemnitee does not regard the protection currently provided by applicable law, the Company’s governing documents and available insurance as adequate under the present circumstances, and the Company has determined that Indemnitee and other directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company may not be willing to serve or continue to serve in such capacities without additional protection.

 

D. The Company desires and has requested Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, as the case may be, and has proffered this Agreement to Indemnitee as an additional inducement to serve in such capacity.

 

E. Indemnitee is willing to serve, or to continue to serve, as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, as the case may be, if Indemnitee is furnished the indemnity and advancement rights provided for herein by the Company.

 

Agreement

 

Now Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions.

 

(a)          Agent . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “agent” of the Company means any person who: (i) is or was a director, officer, employee or other fiduciary of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company; or (ii) is or was serving at the request or for the convenience of, or representing the interests of, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or other fiduciary of a foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

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(b)          Expenses . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’, witness, or other professional fees and related disbursements, 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, and other out-of-pocket costs of whatever nature), actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement, the DGCL or otherwise, and amounts paid as a result of a judgment or in settlement by or on behalf of Indemnitee, but shall not include any judgments, fines or penalties actually levied against Indemnitee for such individual’s violations of law. The term “expenses” shall also include reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he is not compensated by the Company or any subsidiary or third party: (i) for any period during which Indemnitee is not an agent, in the employment of, or providing services for compensation to, the Company or any subsidiary; and (ii) if the rate of compensation and estimated time involved is approved by the directors of the Company who are not parties to any action with respect to which expenses are incurred, for Indemnitee while an agent of, employed by, or providing services for compensation to, the Company or any subsidiary.

 

(c)          Proceedings . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, mediation, arbitration, 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 or investigative nature, and whether formal or informal in any case, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness, or otherwise by reason of: (i) the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company; (ii) the fact that any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company; or (iii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, and in any such case described above, whether or not serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses may 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.

 

(d)          Subsidiary . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “subsidiary” means any corporation or limited liability company of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities or equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and one or more of its subsidiaries, and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

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(e)          Independent Counsel . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “independent counsel” means a law firm, or a partner (or, if applicable, member) of such a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, 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.

 

2.           Agreement to Serve . Indemnitee will serve, or continue to serve, as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, as the case may be, faithfully and to the best of his or her ability, at the will of such corporation (or under separate agreement, if such agreement exists), in the capacity Indemnitee currently serves as an agent of such corporation, so long as Indemnitee is duly appointed or elected and qualified in accordance with the applicable provisions of the bylaws or other applicable charter documents of such corporation, or until such time as Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation in writing; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement is intended as an employment agreement between Indemnitee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to create any right to continued employment of Indemnitee with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity.

 

The Company acknowledges that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby, in addition to and separate from its obligations to Indemnitee under the Bylaws, to induce Indemnitee to serve, or continue to serve, as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.

 

3.           Indemnification .

 

(a)          Indemnification in Third Party Proceedings . Subject to Section 10 below, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same may be amended from time to time (but, only to the extent that such amendment permits Indemnitee to broader indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted prior to adoption of such amendment), if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved in any proceeding, for any and all expenses, actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement, judgment or appeal of such proceeding.

 

(b)          Indemnification in Derivative Actions and Direct Actions by the Company . Subject to Section 10 below, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same may be amended from time to time (but, only to the extent that such amendment permits Indemnitee to broader indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted prior to adoption of such amendment), if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved in any proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, against any and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement, judgment or appeal of such proceedings.

 

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4.           Indemnification of Expenses of Successful Party . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, including the dismissal of any action without prejudice, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of such proceeding.

 

5.           Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in the investigation, defense, settlement, judgment or appeal of a proceeding, but is precluded by applicable law or the specific terms of this Agreement to indemnification for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

6.           Advancement of Expenses . To the extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall advance the expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice) and upon request of the Company, an undertaking to repay the advancement of expenses if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Advances shall be unsecured, interest free and without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses. Advances shall include any and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee pursuing an action to enforce Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement, or otherwise and this right of advancement, including expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent required by law, repay the advance if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The right to advances under this Section shall continue until final disposition of any proceeding, including any appeal therein. This Section 6 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 10(b).

 

7.           Notice and Other Indemnification Procedures .

 

(a)          Notification of Proceeding . Indemnitee will notify the Company in writing promptly 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 Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

  4  

 

  

(b)          Request for Indemnification and Indemnification Payments . Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon receiving notice of any demand, judgment or other requirement for payment that Indemnitee reasonably believes to be subject to indemnification under the terms of this Agreement, and shall request payment thereof by the Company. Indemnification payments requested by Indemnitee under Section 3 hereof shall be made by the Company no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written request of Indemnitee. Claims for advancement of expenses shall be made under the provisions of Section 6 herein.

 

(c)          Application for Enforcement . In the event the Company fails to make timely payments as set forth in Sections 6 or 7(b) above, Indemnitee shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement. In such an enforcement hearing or proceeding, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to prove that indemnification or advancement of expenses to Indemnitee is not required under this Agreement or permitted by applicable law. Any determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, shareholders or independent counsel) that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, shall not be a defense by the Company to the action nor create any presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder.

 

(d)          Indemnification of Certain Expenses . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all expenses incurred in connection with any hearing or proceeding under this Section 7 unless the Company prevails in such hearing or proceeding on the merits in all material respects.

 

8.           Assumption of Defense . In the event the Company shall be requested by Indemnitee to pay the expenses of any proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding, or to participate to the extent permissible in such proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee. Upon assumption of the defense by the Company and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same proceeding, provided that Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in such proceeding at Indemnitee’s sole cost and expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Indemnitee’s counsel delivers a written notice to the Company stating that such counsel has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel or otherwise actively pursued the defense of such proceeding within a reasonable time, then in any such event the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel to defend such proceeding shall be subject to the indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.           Insurance . To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Company or of any subsidiary (“ D&O Insurance ”), 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 D&O Insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding 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 Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

  5  

 

  

10.           Exceptions .

 

(a)          Certain Matters . Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee on account of any proceeding with respect to (i) remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law (and, in this respect, both the Company and Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission believes that indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication, as indicated in Section 10(d) below); (ii) a final judgment rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting, disgorgement or repayment of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company against Indemnitee or in connection with a settlement by or on behalf of Indemnitee to the extent it is acknowledged by Indemnitee and the Company that such amount paid in settlement resulted from Indemnitee’s conduct from which Indemnitee received monetary personal profit, pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other provisions of any federal, state or local statute or rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee’s conduct was in bad faith, knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or constituted willful misconduct (but only to the extent of such specific determination); or (iv) on account of conduct that is established by a final judgment as constituting a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or resulting in any personal profit or advantage to which Indemnitee is not legally entitled. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, a final judgment or other adjudication may be reached in either the underlying proceeding or action in connection with which indemnification is sought or a separate proceeding or action to establish rights and liabilities under this Agreement.

 

(b)          Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other agents and not by way of defense, except (i) with respect to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or under any other agreement, provision in the Bylaws or Certificate or applicable law, or (ii) with respect to any other proceeding initiated by Indemnitee that is either approved by the Board of Directors or Indemnitee’s participation is required by applicable law. However, indemnification or advancement of expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors determines it to be appropriate.

 

  6  

 

  

(c)          Unauthorized Settlements . Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold consent to any proposed settlement; provided, however, that the Company may in any event decline to consent to (or to otherwise admit or agree to any liability for indemnification hereunder in respect of) any proposed settlement if the Company is also a party in such proceeding and determines in good faith that such settlement is not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

(d)          Securities Act Liabilities . Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee or otherwise act in violation of any undertaking appearing in and required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), or in any registration statement filed with the SEC under the Act. Indemnitee acknowledges that paragraph (h) of Item 512 of Regulation S-K currently generally requires the Company to undertake in connection with any registration statement filed under the Act to submit the issue of the enforceability of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement in connection with any liability under the Act on public policy grounds to a court of appropriate jurisdiction and to be governed by any final adjudication of such issue. Indemnitee specifically agrees that any such undertaking shall supersede the provisions of this Agreement and to be bound by any such undertaking.

 

11.           Nonexclusivity and Survival of Rights . The provisions for indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under any provision of applicable law, the Company’s Certificate, Bylaws or other agreements, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and Indemnitee’s action as an agent of the Company, in any court in which a proceeding is brought, and Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased acting as an agent of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and assigns of Indemnitee. The obligations and duties of the Company to Indemnitee under this Agreement shall be binding on the Company and its successors and assigns until terminated in accordance with its terms. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

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 or her corporate status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the DGCL, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Certificate, 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, by Indemnitee shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy by Indemnitee.

 

  7  

 

  

12.           Term . This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) five (5) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or and/or officer, employee or agent of the Company; or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any proceeding, including any appeal then pending, in respect to which Indemnitee was granted rights of indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder.

 

No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against an Indemnitee or an Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such five-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

 

13.           Subrogation . In the event of 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, at the request and expense of the Company, shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

14.           Interpretation of Agreement . It is understood that the parties hereto intend this Agreement to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law.

 

15.           Severability . If any provision 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 the Agreement (including without limitation, all portions of any paragraphs of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable and to give effect to Section 14 hereof.

 

16.           Amendment and Waiver . No supplement, modification, amendment, or cancellation 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 provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

  8  

 

  

17.           Notice . Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice or demand which, by the provisions hereof, is required or which may be given to or served upon the parties hereto shall be in writing and, if by telegram, telecopy or telex, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered when sent, if by overnight delivery, courier or personal delivery, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered upon actual delivery and, if mailed, shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered three (3) business days after deposit in the United States mail, as registered or certified mail, with proper postage prepaid and addressed to the party or parties to be notified at the addresses set forth on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address(es) as a party may designate for itself by like notice). If to the Company, notices and demands shall be delivered to the attention of the Secretary of the Company.

 

18.           Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by and construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

19.           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 but one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart need be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

20.           Headings . The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction hereof.

 

21.           Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations, written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s Certificate, Bylaws, the DGCL and any other applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, and does not diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

  9  

 

   

In Witness Whereof , the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement effective as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY     INDEMNITEE
       
By:      
Name: David Hardy   Signature of Indemnitee
Title: V.P. Legal and General Counsel    
       
      Print or Type Name of Indemnitee

 

  Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement  

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

November 3, 2016

 

Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

Suite 900, 520 – 3 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0R3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel for Gran Tierra Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), with respect to the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed on August 1, 2016 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), including the base prospectus (the “ Base Prospectus ”), in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”) of, among other things, (a) the offer and sale by the selling stockholders named in the Registration Statement (the “ Selling Stockholders ”) of up to 57,835,134 shares (the “ Secondary Shares ”) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), which were issued on August 23, 2016, upon the conversion of 57,835,134 subscription receipts previously issued by the Company; and (b) the issuance of (i) up to 4,875,177 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exchange or redemption of up to 4,875,177 exchangeable shares that were issued by Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, in connection with the combination of the Company and Solana Resources Limited and (ii) up to 3,638,889 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exchange or redemption of up to 3,638,889 exchangeable shares that were issued by Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, in connection with the combination of the Company and Goldstrike Inc. (and any additional securities that may be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions) (collectively, such exchangeable shares of the subsidiaries of the Company are herein referred to as the “ Exchangeable Shares ”; such shares of Common Stock issuable upon exchange or redemption of such Exchangeable Shares are herein collectively referred to as the “ Exchange Shares ”; and the Exchange Shares together with the Secondary Shares are herein referred to herein as the “ Securities ”).

 

The Base Prospectus provides that it may be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “ Prospectus Supplement ”) and any free-writing prospectus(es).

 

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York

Palo Alto Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Taipei Tokyo Washington

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, TX 77002-6760

Tel +1.713.758.2222 Fax +1.713.758.2346 www.velaw.com

 

 

 
   
  Gran Tierra Energy Inc. November 3, 2016     Page 2

 

 

In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined (i) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Conversion of the Company, both filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 31, 2016, and the Bylaws of the Company, adopted on October 31, 2016, (ii) the Articles, as amended, and By-Law No. 1 of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc. and the Articles, as amended, and By-Law No. 1 of Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc., (iii) the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2008, between Gran Tierra Energy Inc., Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada and the Voting Exchange and Support Agreement by and between Goldstrike, Inc., 1203647 Alberta Inc., Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc. and Olympia Trust Company dated as of November 10, 2005 (collectively, the “ Exchange Agreements ” (iv) Registration Statement, (v) the Base Prospectus, (vi) the records of corporate proceedings that have occurred prior to the date hereof with respect to the Registration Statement and (vii) such other documents and instruments as we deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of this opinion. We have also reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. As to matters of fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, and as to factual matters arising in connection with our examination of corporate documents, records and other documents and writings, we relied upon certificates and other communications of corporate officers of the Company, without further investigation as to the facts set forth therein.

 

In connection with rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine; (iii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents; (iv) the Registration Statement and any subsequent amendments (including additional post-effective amendments), will be effective and comply with all applicable laws; (v) all Securities offered under the Registration Statement will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and any applicable Prospectus Supplement to the Base Prospectus; (vi) the Exchange Agreements have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the other parties thereto, and are enforceable and binding on each party thereto in accordance with their terms; (vii) any definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered under the Registration Statement will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Selling Stockholders and the other parties thereto; (viii) the Exchangeable Shares were validly issued by the subsidiaries of the Company issuing such shares; and (ix) any securities issuable upon exchange or redemption of any Exchangeable Shares will have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such exchange or redemption.

 

 

 

 
   
  Gran Tierra Energy Inc. November 3, 2016     Page 3

  

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations, and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.       The Secondary Shares proposed to be sold by the Selling Stockholders have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

2.       With respect to the Exchange Shares, upon the exchange or redemption of any Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchangeable Shares and the relevant Exchange Agreements, the underlying Exchange Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws) and the federal laws of the United States, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof.

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Base Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

 

 

 

 

November 3, 2016

 

Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

200, 150-13 th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

T2R 0V2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We currently act as counsel for Gran Tierra Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Company registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), the offer and sale of an aggregate of up to 16,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 2, 2012, of which 6,805,895 shares of common stock remain available for offer or sale as of the date hereof (those shares remaining available, the “Shares”). The Shares may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Gran Tierra Energy Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”).

 

In reaching the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents and records of the Company and such statutes, regulations and other instruments as we deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion, including (i) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Conversion of the Company, both filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 31, 2016, and the Bylaws of the Company, adopted on October 31, 2016, (ii) the Registration Statement, (iii) certain resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company, (iv) the Plan, and (v) such other certificates, instruments, and documents as we have considered necessary for purposes of this opinion letter. As to any facts material to our opinions, we have made no independent investigation or verification of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers or other representatives of the Company.

 

We have assumed (i) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures, (iii) the authority of all persons signing all documents submitted to us on behalf of the parties to such documents, (iv) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (v) the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, (vi) that all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true, correct and complete, and (vii) that the Shares will be issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

 

Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations set forth herein, and having due regard for the legal considerations we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when the Shares are issued by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instruments executed pursuant to the Plan, as applicable, that govern the awards to which the Shares relate, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York

Palo Alto Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Taipei Tokyo Washington 

Trammell Crow Center, 2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201-2975

Tel +1.214.220.7700 Fax +1.214.220.7716 www.velaw.com

 

 

 

  

  November 3, 2016    Page 2

 

 

This opinion is limited in all respects to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws . We express no opinion as to any other law or any matter other than as expressly set forth above, and no opinion as to any other law or matter may be inferred or implied herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are rendered as of the date hereof and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update this letter or advise you of any change in any matter after the date hereof.

 

This opinion letter may be filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on November 3, 2016. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.