Exhibit 10.1

2019 J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE OF PLAN

The purpose of this 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan is to provide long-term incentives to associates and non-associate directors of J. C. Penney Company, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, or any unit thereof, in order to align the interests of such associates and non-associate directors with those of the Company’s stockholders, to motivate associates to achieve business objectives promoting the long-term growth, profitability and success of the Company, and to assist the Company in retaining and attracting the best associates and non-associate directors in retail.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

“Associate” means any person who is employed, within the meaning of section 3401 of the Code, by the Company or a Subsidiary.

“Award” means an Equity Award or a Cash Incentive Award.

“Award Notice” means the notice of an Award to a Participant in such form and delivered by such means as the Committee or its designee may establish from time to time that sets out the terms of the grant of the Award, including any amendment thereto. Each Award Notice will be subject to the terms of the Plan.

“Beneficiary” means the beneficiary designated by a Participant, in a manner authorized by the Committee or its designee, to exercise the rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death. In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, the Beneficiary will be the Participant’s estate.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cash Incentive Awards” shall mean annual or long-term Performance Awards issued pursuant to the requirements of Article VIII that are expressed in U. S. currency.

“Cause” means (i) “cause,” or “summary dismissal” as the case may be, as that term may be defined in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary that may at any time be in effect, (ii) in the absence of a definition in a then-effective agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary (as determined by the Committee), “cause” as that term may be defined in any Award Notice under the Plan, or (iii) in the absence of a definition in a then-effective agreement between a Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary (as determined by the Committee), or any Award Notice under the Plan, termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary on the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

any federal, state, local or foreign law or regulation (other than traffic violations and other similar misdemeanors), (D) adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the business reputation of the Company, or (E) otherwise constitutes willful misconduct, gross negligence, or any act of dishonesty or disloyalty.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and rules and regulations thereunder, as now in force or as hereafter amended.

“Committee” means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with the by-laws of the Company and the Charter for the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board, or any committee of the Board that replaces the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. The Committee will consist of at least three Directors who (i) satisfy any applicable standards of independence under the federal securities and tax laws and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or any other national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed as in effect from time, and (ii) qualify as “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. If at any time no Committee will be in office, then the functions of the Committee specified in the Plan will be exercised by the members of the Board that otherwise satisfy the requirements to be a member of the Committee.

“Common Stock” means common stock, $0.50 par value per share, of the Company, or any security issued in substitution, exchange or in lieu therefore.

“Company” means J. C. Penney Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereof.

“Corporation” means J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereof.

“Date of Grant” means the “date of grant” specified in the Award Notice with respect to an Equity Award, which will be a date not prior to the date on which the Committee takes all actions necessary to grant the Equity Award.

“Director” means a member of the Board.

“Disability” means for any Award subject to section 409A of the Code, “Disability” as defined in section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code. For any Award not subject to section 409A of the Code, “Disability” means disability as defined in any then effective long-term disability plan maintained by the Company that covers such person, or if such a plan does not exist at any relevant time, “Disability” means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code. For purposes of determining the time during which an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised under the terms of an Award Notice, “Disability” means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code. Section 22(e)(3) of the Code provides that an individual is totally and permanently disabled if he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

“Employment” means that the provision of services to the Company or a Subsidiary in any capacity as an Associate is not interrupted or terminated. Except as otherwise provided in a particular Award Notice, service will not be considered interrupted or terminated for this purpose in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers among the Company, any Subsidiary, or any successor, in any capacity as Associate, or (iii) any change in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or any Subsidiary in any capacity as Associate. An approved leave of absence will include sick leave, military leave, or any other authorized personal leave. For purposes of each Incentive Stock Option, if any leave exceeds ninety (90) days, and re-employment upon expiration of such leave is not guaranteed by statute or contract, then the Incentive Stock Option will be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day that is three (3) months and one (1) day following the expiration of such ninety (90) day period.

“Equity Award” means a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Stock Award.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Exchange Act will be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to such section and any rules and regulations relating to such section.

“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the closing price on such date as reported in the composite transaction table covering transactions of NYSE listed securities, or if such Exchange is closed, or if the Common Stock does not trade on such date, the closing price reported in the composite transaction table on the last trading date immediately preceding such date, or such other amount as the Committee may ascertain reasonably to represent such fair market value; provided, however, that such determination will be in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv), or its successor.

“Incentive Stock Option” means a Stock Option that satisfies the requirements of section 422 of the Code.

“Non-Associate Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Associate.

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (including, without limitation, any Stock Option to purchase Common Stock originally designated as or intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option but which does not (for whatever reason) qualify as an Incentive Stock Option).

“Participant” means an Associate or a Director who has been granted and holds an Award.

“Performance Award” means an Award granted under this Plan of Common Stock, rights based upon, payable in or otherwise related to shares of Common Stock (including Restricted Stock), Restricted Stock Units or cash, as the Committee may determine, at the end of a specified Performance Period based on the attainment of one or more Performance Goals.

 

“Performance Measure” means any of the following business criteria that may be used by the Company in establishing a Performance Goal:

(a)      Earnings Per Share;

(b)      Total Stockholder Return;

(c)      Operating Income;

(d)      Net Income;

(e)      Cash Flow;

(f)      Gross Profit;

(g)      Gross Profit Return on Investment;

(h)      Return on Equity;

(i)      Return on Capital;

(j)      Sales;

(k)      Revenues;

(l)      Gross Margin;

(m)      Gross Margin Return on Investment (or Inventory);

(n)     Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA);

(o)      Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT); or

(p)      Operating Profit.

 

“Performance Goal” means any goal established by the Committee or its designee that must be satisfied before a Performance Award will be payable, in whole or in part, to a recipient of the Award.

“Performance Period” means with respect to a Performance Award the period established by the Committee or its designee at the time the Award is granted, or at any time thereafter, during which the performance of the Company, a Subsidiary, or any Associate Participant is measured for the purpose of determining whether and to what extent the Performance Award’s Performance Goal has been achieved.

“Plan” means this 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan as it may be amended from time to time.

“Prior Plan” means any equity compensation or long-term incentive compensation plan or program previously established and maintained by the Company.

“Restricted Stock” means any shares of Common Stock granted as an Equity Award that is subject to restrictions or a substantial risk of forfeiture.

“Restricted Stock Unit” means an Equity Award that represents an unsecured promise by the Company to issue a share of Common Stock, or, at the discretion of the Committee or is designee, cash equal to the value of a share of Common Stock, subject to restrictions or a substantial risk of forfeiture.

“Retirement” means, unless otherwise provided in a particular Award Notice or specified in Determinations adopted by the Committee, an Associate’s termination of Employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than for Cause on or after the date the employee attains age 55 with at least 15 years of service, or on or after the employee attains age 60 with at least 10 years of service.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and in effect from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Securities Act will be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to such section and any rules and regulations relating to such section.

“Separation Pay Plan” means the J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Separation Pay Plan, as such plan may be amended from time to time, and any successor plan or program that replaces the plan.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means a right to receive, on exercise of that right, an amount, in shares of Common Stock, or, at the discretion of the Committee or is designee, cash equal to the value of such shares of Common Stock, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right and the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock as determined under Section 6.3(a).

“Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock, or a Restricted Stock Unit.

“Stock Option” means a right to purchase from the Company at any time not more than ten years following the Date of Grant, one share of Common Stock for an exercise price not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant, subject to such terms and conditions established under Section 6.1 hereof. Stock Options may either be Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options.

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations or entities beginning with the Company, in which each of the corporations or entities other than the last corporation or other entity in the unbroken chain owns stock or other voting securities constituting fifty percent or more of the total combined voting power in one of the other corporations or entities in such chain as determined at the point in time when reference is made to such Subsidiary in this Plan.

“Trading Date” means a day on which the Company’s Common Stock trades on the NYSE.

ARTICLE III

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1      Shares Available for Awards . Subject to the provisions of this Article 3.1, and adjustment as provided in Section 12.7, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock upon which options to purchase shares of Common Stock (“Stock Option”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) or awards of Common Stock or share units (“Stock Awards”), herein collectively called “Equity Awards”) may be issued under the Plan is: 26,650,000 Stock Options, and 17,885,906 Stock Awards. These amounts shall be reduced less one (1) share of Common Stock for every one (1) share that was subject to a Stock Option or SAR granted after February 2, 2019 and prior to the effective date of the Plan under any Prior Plan, and 1.63 shares of Common Stock for every one (1) share that was subject to an award other than a Stock Option or SAR granted after February 2, 2019 and prior to the effective date of the Plan under any Prior Plan. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan will be reduced by one (1) share of Common Stock for each share subject to a Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right and 1.49 shares of Common Stock for each share subject to a Stock Award. The shares of Common Stock available for delivery under this Plan may consist of Common Stock held in treasury, authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, or shares of Common Stock purchased or held by the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of the Plan, or shares available from the Prior Plan, or any combination thereof. After the effective date of the Plan, no other awards may be granted under any Prior Plan.

3.2      Shares Again Available . If (i) any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award are forfeited or cancelled, or any such Award terminates, lapses, or expires, is settled without full delivery of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Award, or (ii) after February 2, 2019, any shares of Common Stock subject to an award under any Prior Plan are forfeited or cancelled, or any such award terminates, lapses, or expires, is settled without full delivery of the shares of Common Stock underlying the award, then in each such case the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or award under any Prior Plan will, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, lapse, cancellation, or expiration be added to the shares available for issuance under the Plan. In the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from an Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or, after February 2, 2019, an award other than an option or stock appreciation right under any Prior Plan are satisfied by the tendering of shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of shares by the Company, the shares so tendered or withheld shall be added to the shares available for Awards under the Plan. Each share of Common Stock that again becomes available for an Award as provided in this Section 3.2 will increase the total number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under Section 3.1 by (i) 1 share of Common Stock if that share of Common Stock was subject to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan or a stock option or stock appreciation right under a Prior Plan, and (ii) 1.49 shares of Common Stock if that share of Common Stock was subject to a Stock Award or a stock award under a Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Common Stock (a) tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option, or after February 2, 2019, an option under any Prior Plan, (b) not issued on the net settlement or net exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights, or after February 2, 2019, stock appreciation rights under any Prior Plan, (c) delivered by a Participant or withheld by the Company to pay withholding taxes related to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or, after February 2, 2019, options or stock appreciation rights under a Prior Plan, or (d) reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options or, after February 2, 2019, options under any Prior Plan, will not again become available for issuance and will not be added to the shares authorized for grant under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, Option reloading is not permitted under the Plan.

Shares of Common stock issued in connection with Awards that are assumed, converted or substituted pursuant to an event described in Section 12.8 or assumed or issued in substitution of awards to employees of companies acquired by the Company will not reduce the maximum limitation specified in Section 3.1 (nor shall shares subject to a substitute award be added to the shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above). Further, where the number of shares of Common stock subject to an Award is variable on the Date of Grant, the number of shares to be counted against the shares authorized under the Plan prior to earning the Award will be the maximum number of shares that could be received under the Award.

3.3      Individual Award Limitations on Equity Awards . Subject to the provisions of Sections 12.7 and 12.8, the following individual Award limits will apply:

ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION

The Plan will be administered by, or under the direction of the Committee. The Committee will administer the Plan so as to comply at all times with the Exchange Act and the Code, as applicable, and will otherwise have plenary authority to interpret the Plan and to make all determinations specified in or permitted by the Plan or deemed necessary or desirable for its administration or for the conduct of the Committee’s business (“Determinations”). All interpretations and Determinations of the Committee may be made on an individual or group basis, and will be final, conclusive, and binding on all interested parties. The Committee may delegate, to the fullest extent permitted by law, its responsibilities under the Plan to persons other than its members, subject to such terms and conditions as it may determine, other than the making of grants and awards under the Plan to individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. With respect to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of the Plan or any action by the Committee or its delegate fails to so comply, such provision or action will, without further action by any person, be deemed to be automatically amended to the extent necessary to effect compliance with Rule 16b-3, provided; however, that if such provision or action cannot be amended to effect such compliance, such provision or action will be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the relevant authority. Each Award to a Participant subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act under this Plan will be deemed issued subject to the foregoing qualification. Further, except as otherwise specifically provided in an Award Notice or Determinations, Awards under this Plan are generally intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and the Plan will be interpreted accordingly.

ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

Under the Plan: (i) Awards may be made to such Associates, including officers and Associate Directors of the Company, as the Committee may determine; and (ii) Equity Awards will be made pursuant to Article X below to individuals who serve as Non-Associate Directors of the Company (including any former Associate Participant). In determining the Associate Participants who are to receive Awards and the number of shares covered by any Equity Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the Associate Participants, their contributions to the Company’s success, their position levels and salaries, and such other factors as the Committee, in its discretion, may consider relevant in light of the purposes of the Plan.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS AND

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

6.1      Terms and Conditions of Stock Options . The Committee may grant Stock Options alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan to any Associate Participant. The Committee will determine (i) whether each Stock Option will be granted as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non‑Qualified Stock Option, and (ii) the provisions, terms and conditions of each Stock Option including, but not limited to, the vesting schedule, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option, the exercise price of the Stock Option, the period during which the Stock Option may be exercised, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, methods for payment of the exercise price of

the Stock Option, acceleration of vesting, if any, in connection with certain termination events, and all other terms and conditions of the Stock Option, subject to the following:

6.2      Exercise of Stock Options .

Provided, however, that if the date of exercise, as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 6.2(a), including any Determinations adopted by the Committee, is not a Trading Date, the date of exercise will be deemed to be the next Trading Date. Further, if an exercise instruction is received after the close of the NYSE on a particular day, it will be deemed received as of the opening of the next Trading Date. If a Stock Option is granted in tandem with any other Equity Award, there will be surrendered and cancelled from the related Equity Award at the time of exercise of the Stock Option, in lieu of exercise pursuant to the related Equity Award, that number of shares of Common Stock as equals the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the tandem Stock Option will have been exercised.

On payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company will cause certificates for the Common Stock then being purchased to be delivered as directed by the Associate Participant (or the person exercising the Associate Participant's Stock Option in the event of his death) at its principal business office promptly after the Exercise Date. If the Associate Participant has exercised an Incentive Stock Option, the Company may at its option retain physical possession of the certificate evidencing the shares acquired upon exercise until the expiration of the holding periods described in section 422(a)(1) of the Code. The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock will, however, be subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee will determine in its discretion that the listing, registration or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval will have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

or 6.4(c), in the case of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right issued or assumed pursuant to this Section 6.1(e), the exercise price for the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be determined in accordance with the principles of Sections 424(a) and 409A of the Code, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the shares available for Awards under the Plan); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Associates or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

Right by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may place a ceiling on the amount payable upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, but any such limitation will be specified at the time that the Stock Appreciation Right is granted and stated in the Award Notice.

6.5      Exercise of a Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right Following Termination of Employment . Unless (i) otherwise modified pursuant to Determinations adopted by the Committee, or (ii) a more generous post-termination exercise period is otherwise provided with respect to a particular termination event listed in this Section 6.5 (A) in any written agreement between an Associate Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary that may at any time be in effect, or (B) in the absence of an agreement between an Associate Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary (as determined by the Committee, or its designee) that may at any time be in effect, in an Award Notice, a participant will have the right to exercise a Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right following a termination of Employment as follows:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Associate Participant’s employment terminates due to an involuntary termination of employment without cause and (i) the Associate Participant is a party to any form of executive termination pay agreement between the Associate and the Corporation that does not provide for any period following a termination of employment in which the Associate Participant may exercise any vested but unexercised Stock Option, and (ii) the termination of the Associate Participant’s Employment would not otherwise qualify as a Retirement, or a termination as a result of a unit closing, job restructuring, position elimination, reduction in force, or mutual consent as determined by the Committee, or its designee, and as defined in the Company’s then existing and effective Separation Pay Plan, any vested but unexercised Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights will continue to be exercisable as set forth in the applicable Award Notice.

6.6      Committee Discretion . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, the Committee or its designee may, at or after the date of grant, accelerate or waive any conditions to the exercisability of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, and may permit all or any portion of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right to be exercised following a Participant’s termination of employment for any reason on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Committee or its designee may determine for a period up to and including, but not beyond, the Award’s original expiration or termination date.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

7.1      In General . The Committee may grant a Stock Award (including any associated dividend equivalent right or share unit equal in value to such Stock Award) to Associate Participants on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.

7.2      Terms and Conditions. The Committee will determine the types of Stock Awards made, the number of shares, share units, or dividend equivalent rights covered by such awards, and any other terms and conditions relating to the Stock Awards as it considers appropriate, including any vesting conditions necessary to comply with the laws of the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no portion of a Stock Award may be scheduled to vest in less than one year from the date of grant, provided; however, that up to five percent (5%) of the shares available for award under Section 3.1 may be granted as Equity Awards that vest in whole in less than one year in connection with limited situations such as new hires, Retirement, and similar situations.

7.3      Restricted Stock Terms and Conditions . Restricted Stock will, at the Company’s discretion, be represented (i) by a stock certificate registered in the name of the Associate Participant granted such Restricted Stock, or (ii) in any acceptable uncertificated form via book entry. Such Associate Participant will have the right to enjoy all shareholder rights during the any applicable restriction period except that:

(a) The Participant will not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate until the Restriction Period will have expired.

(b) The Company may either issue shares subject to such restrictive legends and/or stop-transfer instructions as it considers appropriate or provide for retention of custody of the Common Stock during the Restriction Period.

(c) Subject to Section 12.10, the Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the Common Stock during the Restriction Period.

(d) A breach of the terms and conditions established by the Committee with respect to the Restricted Stock will cause a forfeiture of the Restricted Stock.

(e) Subject to Section 8.8, dividends payable in cash or in shares of stock or otherwise shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account. At the discretion of the Committee, interest may be paid on the amount of cash dividends withheld, including cash dividends on stock dividends, at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. However, any such interest, dividends, or dividend equivalent payment shall only be made on vested awards.

Provided, however, in lieu of the foregoing, the Committee may provide that no shares of Common Stock be issued until the Restriction Period is over and further provide that the shares of Common Stock issued after the Restriction Period has been completed, be issued in escrow and/or be legended and that the Common Stock be subject to restrictions including the forfeiture of all or a part of the shares.

7.4      Payment for Restricted Stock . A Participant will not be required to make any payment for Restricted Stock unless the Committee so requires.

7.5      Forfeiture Provisions . Subject to Section 6.5, in the event a Participant terminates Employment during a Restriction Period for the Participant’s Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, such Awards to the extent not otherwise vested will be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may provide for proration or full payout in the event of (a) death, (b) Disability, or (c) Retirement. Any Restricted Stock Unit that is not, in all cases, due and payable not later than the 15th day of the third month following the calendar year, or if later, the Company’s fiscal year, in which the Restricted Stock Unit ceases to be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning Section 409A of the Code, will be designed to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE VIII

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent the applicable Award Notice permits, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the percentage of any Performance Award otherwise determined for a Performance Period, and such reduced percentage will be the amount earned by the Associate Participant. All determinations of the Committee will be absolute and final as to the facts and conclusions therein made and are binding on all parties. As promptly as practicable after the Committee has made the foregoing determination, each Associate Participant who has earned Performance Award will be notified thereof. For all purposes of this Plan, notice will be deemed to have been given the date action is taken by the Committee making the determination. Subject to Section 12.10, an Associate Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of a Performance Awards during the Performance Period.

8.7      Treatment of Performance Awards Earned. Upon the Committee’s determination that a percentage of any Performance Award has been earned for a Performance Period, Associate Participants to whom such earned Performance Award has been granted and who have been (or were) in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof continuously from the Date of Grant, will be entitled, subject to the other conditions of this Plan, to payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of their Performance Awards as set forth the Award Notice. Such terms and conditions may permit or require the payment of any applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 12.11. Subject to Section 8.9, Performance Awards will under no circumstances become earned or have any value whatsoever for any Associate Participant who is not in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries continuously during the entire Performance Period for which such Performance Award was granted.

8.8      Distribution. Distributions payable pursuant to Section 8.7 will be made, subject to Section 12.15, as soon as practicable after the Committee determines the Performance Goal has been achieved, but in no event more than 2½

months after the end of the fiscal year in which the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award ends. Any dividend equivalents credited in connection with a Performance Award will be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Performance Award to which the dividend equivalents relate.

8.9      Non-Disqualifying Termination of Employment. The only exceptions to the requirement of continuous Employment during a Performance Period for distribution of an amount earned under a Performance Award are termination of an Associate Participant’s Employment by reason of death (in which event the Performance Award may be transferable by will or the laws of descent and distribution only to such Participant’s Beneficiary designated to receive the Performance Award or to the Participant’s applicable legal representatives, heirs or legatees), Disability, Retirement, involuntary termination of Employment other than for Cause (including an involuntary termination of Employment as a result of a unit closing, job restructuring, position elimination or reduction in force as determined by the Committee or its designee and as defined in the Company’s then existing and effective Separation Pay Plan), and such other events as may be specified in Determinations adopted by the Committee. In such instance, a distribution of the Performance Award will be made pursuant to the terms of the Performance Award and included in the Award Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, any Termination of Employment in connection with a Change in Control shall be subject to the terms of Article IX.

8.10      Cash Incentive Awards. Performance Awards granted by the Committee under this Article VIII may take the form of Cash Incentive Awards. Cash Incentive Awards may be granted by the Committee to Associate Participants on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, but in all instances in compliance with the requirements of this Article VIII and section 409A of the Code or any exemptions therefrom. A Participant may not be granted a Cash Incentive Award in any one calendar year the value of which exceeds the product of $2,000,000 and the number of years in the applicable Performance Period.

ARTICLE IX

CHANGE IN CONTROL

9.1      Definitions . For purposes of this Article VIII the following definitions will apply:

A change in effective control also may occur in any transaction in which either of the two corporations involved in the transaction has a Change in Control event (i.e. multiple change in control events). For purposes of this Section 9.1(a)(ii), any acquisition by the Company of its own stock within a 12-month period, either through a transaction or series of transactions, that, immediately following such acquisition, results in the total voting power of a person or persons acting as a group to equal or exceed

30 percent of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not constitute a change in effective control of the Company for purposes of this Section 9.1(a)(ii).

 

Persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase assets of the Company at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering. Persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets, or similar business transaction with the Company.

An Employment Termination will not include a termination by reason of the Associate Participant’s death, Disability, Retirement termination of Employment other than a separation from service for Good Reason.

provided, however, that the Associate Participant must provide notice to the Corporation of the existence of any condition described above within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which the Corporation will have 30 days during which it or a Service Recipient may remedy the condition. Any separation from service as a result of a Good Reason condition must occur within two years of the initial existence of the condition and of the Change in Control in order for benefits to be due hereunder. A separation from service for Good Reason will be treated as an Involuntary Separation from Service for purposes of the Plan.

9.2      Effect on Awards . On an Employment Termination as defined in Section 9.1(b) in connection with a Change in Control as defined in Section 9.1(a), unless otherwise provided for in the Award Notice and subject to Section 12.7, an Associate Participant will have the right to exercise any and all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Associate Participant, and all Stock Awards held by the Associate Participant that are not subject to Performance Goals will immediately vest and be deemed to have been earned and any Stock Awards held by the Associate Participant that are subject to Performance Goals will be deemed satisfied as if target performance was achieved and shall be settled in full in cash, shares or a combination thereof as provided for in the applicable Award Notice within thirty (30) days following Employment Termination (except to the extent that settlement of the Award must be made pursuant to its original schedule in order to comply with Code Section 409A); notwithstanding that the applicable performance period, service period, or other restrictions and conditions have not been completed or satisfied; provided, that, the duration of any exercise period following Employment Termination for a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed the original exercise period; provided, further, that any vested Stock Awards that are Restricted Stock Units or vested Cash Incentive Awards, will be distributed no later than the deadline for distribution specified in Sections 7.5 and 8.8 above.

ARTICLE X

NON-ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PARTICIPANT AWARDS

10.1      General Provisions . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article X, each Director who is designated by the Board as a Non-Associate Director Participant on the date of grant will automatically be awarded an annual Equity Award in an amount and in such form as the Board determines and pursuant to such terms, conditions, and restrictions as the Board determines (the “Annual Equity Award”); provided, however, that the maximum aggregate grant date fair value, determined based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, of an Annual Equity Award granted to a Non-Associate Director Participant as compensation for services as a Non-Associate Director during any fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $500,000. Such Annual Equity Awards will begin in May 2019 and continue through May 31, 2024, unless earlier terminated by the Board. The date of grant each Annual Equity Award will be the third full Trading Date following the later of: (i) the date on which the Annual Meeting of the Company’s stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, is held (“Annual Meeting”); and (ii) the date on which the Company’s earnings for the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such Annual Meeting date are released to the public. Also, Equity Awards in a pro rata amount of the Annual Equity Award for that year, based on the date of the Non-Associate Director’s election to the Board, will automatically be granted to each individual (other than a former Associate Participant) who is first elected a Non-Associate Director after May 24, 2019, on the third full Trading Date following the effective date of such election.

10.2      Non-Transferability . Subject to Section 12.10, a Non-Associate Director Participant may not transfer, sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of Common Stock received in connection with an Annual Equity Award prior to the time his or her service as a director expires or is terminated, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and any attempt to do so will be void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Associate Director Participant may sell shares of Common Stock to cover applicable federal, state or local income taxes resulting from the vesting of such Common Stock.

10.3      Right to Tender, Exchange . Notwithstanding Section 10.2 above, a Non-Associate Director Participant (including for purposes of this paragraph a Non-Associate Director Participant’s guardian or legal representative) will have, with respect to any shares covered by an Annual Equity Award and any shares already received pursuant to an Annual Equity Award under this Plan, the right to: (i) tender or exchange any such shares in the event of the consummation of (A) any tender offer or exchange within the meaning of Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or (B) any plan of merger approved by the Board, in each case that constitutes a Change in Control; and (ii) sell or exercise any option, right, warrant, or similar property derived from or attributable to such shares after such option, right, warrant, or similar property becomes transferable or exercisable. If any shares covered by an Annual Equity Award are tendered or exchanged or any option, right, warrant, or similar property attributable thereto is sold, exercised, or redeemed for value, the cash and/or property received will be delivered to the Company (or its successor) and held subject to the restrictions of the Plan as if it were the stock itself.

10.4      Non-Associate Director Participant’s Termination . If a Non-Associate Director Participant’s service as a director of the Company terminates on account of any act of: (i) fraud or intentional misrepresentation; or (ii) embezzlement, misappropriation, or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, such termination will be considered a “Non-Qualifying Termination.” All other terminations, including termination by reason of death, will be considered “Qualifying Terminations.” In the event of a Non-Qualifying Termination, all outstanding restricted Equity Awards made pursuant to this Section will be forfeited or canceled, as the case may be.

10.5      Stock In Lieu of Cash . A Non-Associate Director Participant may also elect to receive Common Stock in lieu of the cash compensation payable for services rendered as a director, so long as such election is made in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Any such Common Stock issued to a Non-Associate Director Participant in lieu of cash compensation will automatically vest (become non-forfeitable and freely transferable) in the Non-Associate Director Participant on the date of issuance.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

No Award may be made under the Plan after May 31, 2024. The Board may terminate the Plan or make such amendments as it deems advisable, including, but not limited to, any amendments to conform to or reflect any change in any law, regulation, or ruling applicable to an Award or the Plan, provided, however, that the Board may not, without approval by affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Company having general voting power: (i) take any action which will increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 11.7 of the Plan); (ii) decrease the grant or exercise price of any Award to less than fair market value of its underlying Common Stock on the date of grant; (iii) change the individual award limits found in Section 3.3 or any other maximum limit included in the Plan to comply with set forth in the Code; or (iv) change the separate limit for Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 3.3; (v) change the class of Associate Participants eligible for Awards under Article V. Except as otherwise provided in or permitted by the Plan or by the terms, if any, of an Award under the Plan, no termination or amendment of the Plan or change in the terms of an outstanding Award may adversely affect the rights of the holder of any Award without the consent of the holder.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

12.1      Interpretive Matters . Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof will be deemed to refer to the masculine the feminine or neuter, and the singular will include the plural, and vice versa. The term “include” or “including” does not denote or imply any limitation. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, will not be considered a part of this Plan, and will not be employed in the interpretation of this Plan.

12.2      Unfunded Plan . The Plan will be unfunded and the Company will not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. Neither the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Committee, nor the Board will be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under the Plan nor will anything contained in the Plan or any action taken pursuant to its provisions create or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, and a Participant. To the extent any person has or acquires a right to receive a payment in connection with an Award under the Plan, this right will be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.

12.3      No Right to Continued Employment . Neither the Plan nor any Award under the Plan will confer on a Participant any right with respect to continuation of the Participant’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary nor will the Plan or an Award interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.

12.4      No Effect on Retirement and Other Benefit Plans . Except as may otherwise be specifically stated under any employee benefit plan, policy, or program, no amount payable in respect of any Award will be treated as compensation for purposes of calculating a Participant’s right under any such plan, policy, or program. The Plan is not a “welfare plan” or “pension plan” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

12.5      Stockholder Rights . A Participant (including for purposes of this Section, a Participant’s legatee, distributee, guardian, legal representative, or other third party, as the Committee may determine) will have no stockholder rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Equity Award until such shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant. Shares of Common Stock will be deemed issued on the date on which they are issued in the Participant’s (as this term is defined in the preceding sentence) name.

12.6      Indemnification. Each person who is or will have been a member of the Board or of the Committee and any designee of the Board or Committee will be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed on or reasonably incurred by him in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he may be made party or in which he may be involved by reason

of any determination, interpretation, action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against him, provided he will give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification will not be exclusive and will be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.

12.7      Adjustments in Capitalization . In the event of any change in the value or number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, or the assumption and conversion of outstanding Awards, by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, dividend or distribution, whether in cash, shares or other property (other than a normal cash dividend), recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, the Committee or its designee will make changes to the Plan and Awards in an equitable and appropriate, manner including, but not limited to: (1) the exercise price under each unexercised Stock Option; (2) the exercise price under each unexercised Stock Appreciation Right; and (3) the number, type, character, and class of shares which may be issued on exercise of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted and for Stock Awards, including restricted stock units, and any remaining shares reserved under the Plan. Any such adjustment with respect to each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be consistent with the requirements applicable to exempt stock rights under Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(5) or its successor. Any adjustment with respect to Incentive Stock Options will also conform to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Any adjustment will also include the limits under the Plan established for purposes of section 162(m) of the Code and with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options,

12.8      Prohibition on Repricing . Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Shares, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Common Shares or other securities, or similar transaction(s)), the Company may not (a) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; (b) cancel outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; (c) cancel outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other Awards or securities; or (d) take any other action with respect to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed without the prior approval of the Company’s stockholders.

12.9      Compliance with Applicable Legal Requirements . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company will not be required to sell or issue shares of Common Stock in connection with any Award if the issuance thereof would constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or other forum in which shares of Common Stock are quoted or traded (including without limitation Section 16 of the 1934 Act); and, as a condition of any sale or issuance of shares of Common Stock under an Award, the Committee may require such agreements or undertakings, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to assure compliance with any such law or regulation. The Plan, the grant and exercise of Awards hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock, will be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.

12.10      Transferability . No unearned Stock Awards or vested or unvested Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and no shares of Common Stock that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, pledged, or transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and any attempt to do so will be void. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable during an Associate Participant’s lifetime except by the Associate Participant or the Associate Participant’s guardian or legal representative. To the extent and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, a Participant may assign or transfer an Award without consideration (i) to the Participant’s spouse, children or grandchildren (including any adopted and step children or grandchildren), parents, grandparents or siblings, (ii) to a trust for the

benefit of one or more of the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i), (iii) to a partnership, limited liability company or corporation in which the Participant or the persons referred to in clause (i) are the only partners, members or shareholders or (iv) for charitable donations; provided that any such assignee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall, to the extent necessary, execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided further that such Participant shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Company shall cooperate with any assignee and the Company’s transfer agent in effectuating any transfer permitted under this Section.

12.11      Withholding Taxes . All distributions under the Plan will be subject to any required withholding taxes and other withholdings and, all tax withholdings will be governed by the Code and any applicable state laws and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder and, in the case of Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any restrictions set forth in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In case of distributions in Common Stock, the Participant or other recipient may, as a condition precedent to the delivery of Common Stock, be required to pay to his/her participating employer the excess, if any, of the total withholding obligation with respect to any federal, state, and local tax obligations, including FICA and Medicare over the actual amount withheld, which will be limited to the minimum statutory withholding or such other rate that will not cause adverse accounting consequences and is permitted under applicable Internal Revenue Service withholding rules, if any, from any distributions under the Plan. All or a portion of such payment may, in the discretion of the Committee or its designee and upon the election of the Participant, be made (a) in cash, (b) by withholding from shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be delivered to the Participant a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to satisfy all or a portion of the minimum statutory tax withholding obligation, (c) by tendering (either actually or by attestation) owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock acceptable to the Committee and having a Fair Market Value on the date of tender equal to or less than the remaining required tax withholding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company adopts International Financial Reporting Standards, the minimum statutory withholding obligation, or such other rate that will not cause adverse accounting consequences and is permitted under applicable Internal Revenue Service withholding rules, will not be satisfied by withholding shares of Common Stock if permitting the satisfaction of the minimum statutory withholding obligation via the withholding of shares of Common Stock would result in unfavorable accounting treatment for the Company.

12.12      No Limitations on Compensation . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to shareholders of the Company for approval will be construed as creating any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such other or additional incentive or other compensation arrangements of whatever nature as the Board may deem necessary or desirable or preclude or limit the continuation of any other plan, practice or arrangement for the payment of compensation or fringe benefits to employees generally, or to any class or group of employees, which the Company or any Subsidiary now has lawfully put into effect, including, without limitation, any retirement, pension, savings, profit sharing or stock purchase plan, insurance, death and disability benefits, and executive short term incentive plans.

12.13      Code Section 83(b) Elections . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any responsibility for a Participant’s election, attempt to elect or failure to elect to include the value of an Award subject to section 83 of the Code in the Participant’s gross income for the year of grant pursuant to section 83(b) of the Code. Any Participant who makes an election pursuant to section 83(b) of the Code will promptly provide the Committee or its designee with a copy of the election form.

12.14      Section 409A of the Code . The Plan is intended to be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, where applicable. Where reasonably possible and practicable, the Plan will be administered in a manner to avoid the imposition on participants of immediate tax recognition and additional taxes under section 409A of the Code. Unless specifically provided for in an Award Notice, no Equity Award will provide any feature for the deferral of compensation as defined by Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b). Any deferral will be for such period and in accordance with the terms and conditions as the Committee may determine and must be in compliance with section 409A of the Code. The terms and conditions applicable to such deferral and the terms and conditions evidencing compliance with section 409A of the Code will be set forth in the Award Notice. The method of payment for, and type and character of, any Award may not be altered by any deferral permitted under this Section unless

specifically permitted under section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any person in the event section 409A of the Code is determined to apply to an Award in a manner that results in adverse tax consequences for the participant or any of his beneficiaries or transferees.

12.15      Effective Date . The Plan will become effective on May 24, 2019, subject to approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present by person or by proxy at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting that are entitled to vote on a proposal to approve the adoption of the Plan.

12.16      Governing Law . To the extent that federal laws do not otherwise control, this Plan and all determinations made and actions taken under this Plan will be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to Delaware’s conflict-of-laws principles and will be construed accordingly.

12.17      Severability . The Company intends all provisions of the Plan to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this Plan will be held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, under present or future law, the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision will be fully severable and severed, and will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan, and the remaining provisions of the Plan will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance.

12.18      Compensation Recoupment Policy . Awards may be made subject to any compensation recoupment policy adopted by the Board or the Committee at any time prior to or after the effective date of the Plan, and as such policy may be amended from time to time after its adoption. The compensation recoupment policy will be applied to any Award that constitutes the deferral of compensation subject to section 409A of the Code in a manner that complies with the requirements of section 409A of the Code.

12.19      No Issuance of Certificates. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent the Plan provides for issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Common Stock in connection with an Award, the issuance may be effected on a non-certificate basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.