Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                      .

 

Commission File Number: 000-50910

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   80-0103159

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, Pennsylvania

  19007
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code.)

 

(215) 826-2800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨  No  x

 

The number of the registrant’s outstanding common units at November 1, 2004 was 4,239,782.

 



Table of Contents

Index – Form 10-Q

 

          Page

Part I

   Financial Information     

Item 1.

   Financial Statements    2

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    19

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    35

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    36

Part II

   Other Information     

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    38

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    38

Item 6.

   Exhibits    40
     Signatures    41

 


Table of Contents

 

Part I – Financial Information

 

The words “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and similar words, when used in a historical context prior to the closing of the initial public offering of StoneMor Partners L.P. on September 20, 2004, refer to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (and, after its conversion, CFSI LLC) and its subsidiaries and thereafter refer to StoneMor Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of the Company’s operating activities, the plans and objectives of the Company’s management, assumptions regarding the Company’s future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided, as well as certain information in other filings with the SEC and elsewhere are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A(i) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continues,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project”, “expect”, “predict” and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, but not limited to, the following: uncertainties associated with future revenue and revenue growth; the impact of the Company’s significant leverage on its operating plans; the ability of the Company to service its debt; the Company’s ability to attract, train and retain an adequate number of sales people; uncertainties associated with the volume and timing of pre-need sales of cemetery services and products; variances in death rates; variances in the use of cremation; changes in the political or regulatory environments, including potential changes in tax accounting and trusting policies; the Company’s ability to successfully implement a strategic plan relating to producing operating improvement, strong cash flows and further deleveraging; and various other uncertainties associated with the death care industry and the Company’s operations in particular.

 

When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in our registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed with the SEC which became effective September 14, 2004. (No. 333-114354) We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Item 1. Financial Statements

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

Successor to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (Predecessor)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


 

Assets

               

CURRENT ASSETS:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,637    $ 5,554  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

     24,961      22,447  

Prepaid expenses

     1,579      1,476  

Merchandise trust receivable

     —        1,861  

Other current assets

     846      779  
    

  


Total current assets

     41,023      32,117  

LONG-TERM ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – net of allowance

     33,088      33,720  

CEMETERY PROPERTY

     150,994      151,200  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     21,930      23,411  

DUE FROM MERCHANDISE TRUSTS

     —        109,785  

MERCHANDISE TRUSTS, restricted, at fair value

     117,589      —    

PERPETUAL CARE TRUSTS, restricted, at fair value

     124,677      —    

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS – net of accumulated amortization

     2,744      3,450  

OTHER ASSETS

     32      2,002  
    

  


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 492,077    $ 355,685  
    

  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’, PARTNERS’ EQUITY

               

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 8,581    $ 5,988  

Accrued interest

     208      735  

Current portion of long-term debt

     169      7,814  
    

  


Total current liabilities

     8,958      14,537  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     80,000      122,894  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     —        1,415  

DEFERRED CEMETERY REVENUES, Net

     123,303      115,233  

MERCHANDISE LIABILITY

     40,129      44,112  
    

  


Total liabilities

     252,390      298,191  
    

  


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST IN PERPETUAL CARE TRUSTS

     124,677      —    

REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (par value $0.01; 15,514 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003)

     —        15,514  

COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ / PARTNERS’ EQUITY

               

Common stock (par value $0.01; 880,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003)

     —        9  

Additional paid-in capital

     —        91,213  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     —        —    

Employee stock loans

     —        (150 )

Retained deficit

     —        (49,092 )

General partner

     1,633      —    

Limited partners:

               

Common

     73,338      —    

Subordinated

     40,039      —    
    

  


Total common stockholders’ / partners’ equity

     115,010      41,980  
    

  


TOTAL LIABILITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ / PARTNERS’ EQUITY

   $ 492,077    $ 355,685  
    

  


 

See Accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

Successor to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (Predecessor)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

REVENUES:

                                

Cemetery

   $ 20,694     $ 18,311     $ 63,790     $ 55,739  

Funeral home

     395       425       1,407       1,284  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     21,089       18,736       65,197       57,023  

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

                                

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

                                

Land and crypts

     1,398       1,306       3,622       3,710  

Perpetual care

     686       642       2,036       1,921  

Merchandise

     1,012       665       3,634       2,461  

Cemetery expense

     5,031       4,489       14,765       13,088  

Selling expense

     4,413       3,955       13,958       11,609  

General and administrative expense

     2,489       2,293       7,353       6,910  

Corporate overhead (including $433 in stock-based compensation in 2004)

     2,968       2,819       7,959       7,524  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,073       1,294       3,554       3,667  

Funeral home expense

     419       359       1,309       1,100  
    


 


 


 


Total cost and expenses

     19,489       17,822       58,190       51,990  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING PROFIT

     1,600       914       7,007       5,033  

EXPENSE RELATED TO REFINANCING

     4,200       —         4,200       —    

INTEREST EXPENSE

     2,623       2,629       7,907       8,696  
    


 


 


 


LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (5,223 )     (1,715 )     (5,100 )     (3,663 )

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT):

                                

State and franchise taxes

     (507 )     1,101       207       1,406  

Federal

     (217 )     1,318       7       976  
    


 


 


 


Total income taxes (benefit)

     (724 )     2,419       214       2,382  
    


 


 


 


NET LOSS

   $ (4,499 )   $ (4,134 )   $ (5,314 )   $ (6,045 )
    


 


 


 


Supplemental Information:

                                

General partner’s interest in net income for the period from September 20 through September 30, 2004

   $ 17             $ 17          

Limited partners’ interest in net income for the period from September 20 through September 30, 2004:

                                

Common

   $ 436             $ 436          

Subordinated

   $ 436             $ 436          

Net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)

   $ .10             $ .10          

Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding (basic and diluted)

     8,480               8,480          

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

Successor to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (Predecessor)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of

Common Stockholders’ / Partners’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

    

Common

Stockholders’

Equity


    Partners’ Capital

   Total

 
       Limited Partners

  

General

Partner


  
       Common

   Subordinated

   Total

     

Additional paid in capital

   $ 91,213     $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 91,213  

Employee loans

     (150 )     —        —        —        —        (150 )

Common stock

     9       —        —        —        —        9  

Retained deficit

     (49,092 )     —        —        —        —        (49,092 )
    


 

  

  

  

  


Balance at December 31, 2003

     41,980       —        —        —        —        41,980  

Dividends paid in kind

     (1,564 )     —        —        —        —        (1,564 )

Stock-based compensation

     433       —        —        —        —        433  

Net loss January 1, 2004 though September 19, 2004

     (6,203 )     —        —        —        —        (6,203 )
    


 

  

  

  

  


Balance at September 19, 2004 (unaudited)

     34,646       —        —        —        —        34,646  

Book value of net assets contributed to the partnership

     (34,646 )     3,931      29,511      33,442      1,204      —    

Redeemable preferred stock of Cornerstone converted to limited liability company units

     —         1,344      10,092      11,436      412      11,848  

Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs

     —         67,627      —        67,627      —        67,627  

Net income September 20, 2004 through September 30, 2004

     —         436      436      872      17      889  
    


 

  

  

  

  


Balance, September 30, 2004 (unaudited)

   $ —       $ 73,338    $ 40,039    $ 113,377    $ 1,633    $ 115,010  
    


 

  

  

  

  


 

See Accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

Successor to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (Predecessor)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

OPEATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net loss

   $ (5,314 )   $ (6,045 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activity:

                

Cost of lots sold

     3,879       3,878  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,554       3,667  

Expenses related to refinancing

     3,889       —    

Stock-based compensation

     433       —    

Deferred income tax (benefit)

     (1,683 )     1,686  

Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:

                

Accounts receivable

     (1,882 )     (2,261 )

Merchandise trust receivable

     —         31  

Due from merchandise trusts

     —         (2,656 )

Merchandise trusts

     (4,346 )     —    

Prepaid expenses

     (38 )     (518 )

Other current assets

     (59 )     173  

Other assets

     (32 )     (437 )

Accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities

     2,053       (4,188 )

Deferred cemetery revenue

     7,674       9,892  

Merchandise liability

     (4,616 )     (1,164 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activity

     3,512       2,058  
    


 


INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Additions to cemetery property

     (2,810 )     (1,959 )

Acquisitions of property and equipment

     (1,279 )     (789 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,089 )     (2,748 )
    


 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Additional borrowings on long-term debt

     85,000       1,544  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (135,546 )     (4,172 )

Sale of partner units

     81,383       —    

Cost of financing activities

     (22,177 )     —    
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     8,660       (2,628 )
    


 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     8,083       (3,318 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – Beginning of period

     5,554       5,559  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – End of period

   $ 13,637     $ 2,241  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

                

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 7,775     $ 7,739  
    


 


Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 832     $ 593  
    


 


 

See Accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation. On April 2, 2004, StoneMor Partners L.P. (“StoneMor” or the “Partnership”) was created to own and operate the cemetery and funeral home business conducted by Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) and its subsidiaries. On September 20, 2004, in connection with the initial public offering by the Partnership of common units representing limited partner interests. Cornerstone contributed to the Partnership substantially all of the assets, liabilities and businesses owned and operated by it, and then converted into CFSI LLC, a limited liability company. This transfer represented a reorganization of entities under common control and was recorded at historical cost. In exchange for these assets, liabilities and businesses, CFSI LLC received 564,782 common units and 4,239,782 subordinated units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

Cornerstone was founded in 1999 by members of our management team and a private equity investment firm, which we refer to as McCown De Leeuw, in order to acquire a group of 123 cemetery properties and 4 funeral homes. Since that time, Cornerstone acquired ten additional cemeteries and one funeral home, built two funeral homes and sold one cemetery.

 

Interim Financial Data —The interim financial data are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim financial data as of September 30, 2004 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods as well as the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 and 46R (FIN 46R). The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for a full year.

 

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Initial Public Offering. On September 20, 2004, StoneMor completed its initial public offering of 3,675,000 common units at a price of $20.50 per unit representing a 42.5% interest in us. On September 23, 2004, StoneMor sold an additional 551,250 common units to the underwriters in connection with the exercise of their over-allotment option and redeemed an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC at a cost of $5.3 million, making a total of 4,239,782 common units outstanding. Total gross proceeds from these sales were $86.6 million, before offering costs and underwriting discounts. The net proceeds to the Partnership, after deducting underwriting discounts but before paying offering costs, from these sales of common units was $80.8 million. Concurrent with the initial public offering, the Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiary, StoneMor Operating LLC, and its subsidiaries, all as borrowers, issued and sold $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes in a private placement and entered into a $12.5 million revolving credit facility and a $22.5 million acquisition facility with a group of banks. The net proceeds of the initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes were used to repay the debt and associated accrued interest of approximately $135.1 million of CFSI LLC and $14.6 million of fees and expenses associated with the initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes. The remaining funds have been reserved for general partnership purposes, including the construction of mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts and the purchases of equipment needed to install burial vaults. One-half of the net proceeds of the sale of common units upon the exercise of the over-allotment option was used to redeem an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC, and one-half has been reserved for general partnership purposes. The proceeds received by the Partnership and its subsidiaries from the sales of common units and senior secured notes and the use of these proceeds is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Proceeds received:

      

Sale of 4,226,250 common units at $20.50 per unit

   $ 86,638

Issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total proceeds received

   $ 166,638

Use of proceeds from sale of common units

      

Underwriting discount

   $ 5,849

Professional fees and other offering costs

     7,432

Repayment of debt and accrued interest

     56,361

Redemption of 551,250 units from CFSI LLC

     5,255

Reserve for general partnership purposes

     11,741
    

Total use of proceeds from the sale of common units

   $ 86,638

Use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

      

Private placement fee

   $ 1,076

Other debt issuance costs

     215

Repayment of debt

     78,709
    

Total use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total use of proceeds

   $ 166,638
    

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies —Significant accounting policies followed by the Company, as summarized below, are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Principles of Consolidation —The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of each of the Company’s subsidiaries and the operations of 11 managed cemeteries that the Company operates under long-term management contracts. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Prior to March 31, 2004, the cemeteries that the Company operated under long term management contracts were consolidated in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 97-2, Application of FASB Statement No. 94 and APB Opinion No. 16 to Physician Practice Management Entities and Certain Other Entities with Contractual Management Arrangement. Effective March 31, 2004, the Company adopted FIN 46R (see Note 1, Accounting Change). The Company’s historical policy of consolidating these cemeteries did not change with the adoption of FIN 46R.

 

Total revenues derived from the cemeteries under long term management contracts totaled approximately $14.4 million and $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Cemetery Operations —Sales of at-need cemetery interment rights, merchandise and services are recognized when the service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB No. 101) and the retail land sales provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, Accounting for the Sale of Real Estate (SFAS No. 66), revenues from pre-need sales of burial lots and constructed mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts are deferred until at least 10% of the sales price has been collected. At the time of the sale, an allowance for the customer cancellations is established, which reduces the amount of accounts receivable, net and deferred cemetery revenues, net or cemetery revenue recognized, based on management’s estimates of expected cancellations and historical experiences. Historically, the cancelled contracts represent approximately 10% of the pre-need sales (based on contract dollar amounts). Revenues from the pre-need sale of unconstructed mausoleum and lawn crypts are deferred until at least 10% of the sales price has been collected, at which point revenues are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, also in accordance with SFAS No. 66. Revenues related to the pre-need sale of merchandise and services are deferred until such merchandise is delivered or such services are performed.

 

The Company also defers certain pre-need cemetery and prearranged funeral direct obtaining costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new pre-need cemetery and prearranged funeral business.

 

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Such costs are accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises (SFAS No. 60) and are expensed as revenues are recognized.

 

Costs related to the sales of interment rights include property and other costs related to cemetery development activities that are specifically identified by project. At the completion of a project, costs are charged to operations as revenues are recognized. Costs related to merchandise and services are based on actual costs incurred or estimates of future costs necessary, including provisions for inflation when required.

 

The Company records a merchandise liability at the time it enters into a pre-need contract with a customer at the estimated cost to purchase the merchandise or provide the service. The merchandise liability is reduced when payment for the merchandise is made by the Company and title to the merchandise is transferred to the customer. Subsequently, the merchandise is either installed or stored, at the direction of the customer, at the vendor’s warehouse or a third-party warehouse at no additional cost to us. The merchandise liability is also reduced when the contracted service is performed by the Company. Allowances for customer cancellations arising from non-payment are provided at the date of sale based upon management’s estimates of expected cancellations and historical experience. Actual cancellation rates in the future may result in a change in estimate. Actual cancellations did not vary significantly from the estimates of expected cancellations at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004.

 

Pursuant to state law, a portion of the proceeds from cemetery merchandise or services sold on a pre-need basis is required to be paid into merchandise trusts. The Company defers investment earnings generated by the assets in these merchandise trusts (including realized gains and losses) until the associated merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. The fair value of the funds held in merchandise trusts at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004 was approximately $113.1 million and $117.6 million, respectively (see Note 5). In accordance with industry practice for periods ending prior to March 31, 2004, the Company did not consolidate these trust funds in the financial statements as the Company was not considered to have complete controlling financial interest in these trusts and the Company did not bear all of the risks and rewards of these trusts’ assets. However, the principal of the funds held in merchandise trusts was reflected during these periods as due from merchandise trusts at cost on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the earnings thereon are reflected in deferred cemetery revenues, net until such principal and earnings are recognized as revenues. As of March 31, 2004, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 and 46R (FIN 46R) which resulted in the consolidation of the merchandise trusts on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at fair value (See Note 1, Accounting Change).

 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property is required by state law to be paid into perpetual care trusts. Earnings from the perpetual care trusts are recognized in current cemetery revenues and are used to defray cemetery maintenance costs, which are expensed as incurred. Funds held in perpetual care trusts at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004 were $120.8 million and $124.7 million, respectively (see Note 6). As of December 31, 2003, the principal of such perpetual care trust funds generally cannot be withdrawn by the Company and therefore was not included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2003. As of March 31, 2004, the Company adopted FIN 46 and FIN 46R which resulted in the consolidation of the perpetual care trusts on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at fair value (See Note 1, Accounting Change).

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents —The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk —The Company’s revenues and accounts receivable relate to the sale of products and services to a customer base that is almost entirely concentrated in the states where the Company has cemeteries and funeral homes. The Company extends credit based on an evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and it retains a security interest in any merchandise sold pursuant to the pre-need contracts. The consolidated balance sheets contain a provision for cancellations arising from non-payment in amounts determined based on historical experience and the judgment of Company’s management.

 

Inventories —Inventories, classified as other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, include cemetery and funeral home merchandise and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined primarily on a specific identification basis on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories were approximately $0.7 million at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004.

 

Cemetery Property —Cemetery property consists of developed and undeveloped cemetery property and constructed mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts and is valued at cost, which is not in excess of market value.

 

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Property and Equipment —Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas additions and major replacements are capitalized and depreciation is recorded over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements

  

10 to 40 years

Furniture and equipment

  

5 to 10 years

Leasehold improvements

  

over the term of the lease

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, depreciation expense was $3.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

 

Deferred Cemetery Revenues, Net —Revenues and all costs (including direct obtaining costs) associated with pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services are deferred until the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. In addition, investment earnings generated by the assets included in the merchandise trusts are deferred until the associated merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. Deferred cemetery revenues, net, also includes deferred revenues from pre-need sales that were entered into by entities prior to the acquisition of those entities by the Company, including entities that were acquired by Cornerstone upon its formation in 1999. The Company provides for a reasonable profit margin for these deferred revenues (deferred margin) to account for the future costs of delivering products and providing services on pre-need contracts that the Company acquired through acquisition. Deferred margin amounts are deferred until the merchandise is delivered or services are performed.

 

Merchandise Liability —Merchandise liability accounts for merchandise and services that have been contracted for but not yet delivered or performed. This liability is recorded at the estimated cost and is expensed to cost of goods sold as merchandise is delivered and services are performed.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets —The Company monitors the recoverability of long-lived assets, including cemetery property, property and equipment and other assets, based on estimates using factors such as current market value, future asset utilization, business and regulatory climate and future undiscounted cash flow expected to result from the use of the related assets. The Company’s policy is to evaluate an asset for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that a long-lived asset’s carrying value may not be recovered. An impairment charge is recorded to write-down the asset to its fair value if the sum of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset.

 

Due From Merchandise Trusts —Monies due from merchandise trusts are stated at cost. (See Note 5)

 

Income Taxes —The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The tax effects of temporary differences between income for financial statement and income tax purposes are recognized in the financial statements. The differences arise primarily from receivables and depreciation.

 

Accounting Change

 

In January 2003 and December 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46 and No. 46 revised (FIN 46R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities: an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51. FIN 46 and FIN 46R clarify the application of ARB No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46R further defines the terms related to variable interest entities and clarifies if such entities should be consolidated. FIN 46R applies to enterprises that have a variable interest in variable interest entities and was effective for the first financial reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The requirements of this interpretation, as revised, were applicable to the Company for the quarter ending March 31, 2004.

 

The adoption of FIN 46R resulted in the consolidation of the merchandise trusts (including the funeral trusts) and perpetual care trusts in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, but did not change the legal relationships among the merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, the Company, and its holders of pre-need contracts. To the extent that the customers are the legal beneficiaries of the merchandise trusts, the Company recognizes a non-controlling interest in merchandise trusts. The principal in the perpetual care trusts is required by state law to be held in perpetuity and is not redeemable by the Company or the customers. Accordingly the equity interest in the perpetual care trusts is presented as a non-controlling interest in perpetual care trusts between the liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of FIN 46R did not

 

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impact the Company’s net income or its consolidated statement of cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities.

 

Both the merchandise and perpetual care trusts hold investments in marketable securities which have been classified as available-for-sale. In accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, these investments are recorded at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses of the merchandise trusts that are attributable to the Company that have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to deferred cemetery revenues, net. Unrealized gains and losses of the merchandise trusts (including the funeral trusts) that are attributable to the non-controlling interest holders are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized as a non-controlling interest in merchandise trusts. Unrealized gains and losses of the perpetual care trusts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to non-controlling interest in perpetual care trusts.

 

The Company recognizes realized earnings of the merchandise trusts that are attributable to the Company that have been earned as other income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Realized earnings of the merchandise trusts that are attributable to the Company that have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise are recorded in deferred cemetery revenues, net, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Realized earnings of the merchandise trusts (including the funeral trusts) that are attributable to non-controlling interest holders are recognized as a non-controlling interest in merchandise trusts. To the extent of qualifying cemetery maintenance costs, distributable earnings from the perpetual care trusts are recognized in cemetery revenues; otherwise realized earnings of the perpetual care trusts are recognized in other income.

 

The cemeteries that the Company operates under long-term management contracts are subject to consolidation in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46R. The Company’s historical policy to consolidate these entities did not change with the adoption of FIN 46R (See Note 1, Principles of Consolidation).

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The implementation of SFAS No. 150 had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2004, the EITF ratified Issue No. 03-01, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (EITF 03-01). EITF 03-01 provides guidance on the recognition and measurement of other-than-temporary impairments of debt and equity investments and requires certain disclosures related to unrealized losses. The recognition and measurement provisions of EITF 03-01 are effective for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004. The FASB has proposed FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 03-1-a which provides guidance for the application paragraph 16 of EITF 03-1 to debt securities that are impaired because of interest rate and/or sector spread increases. In September 2004, the FASB issued FSP 03-1-1 to delay the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue 03-1. This delay does not suspend the requirement to recognize other-than-temporary impairments as required by existing authoritative literature. During the period of the delay, an entity holding investments should continue to apply relevant “other-than-temporary” guidance, such as paragraph 16 of FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, including the guidance referenced in footnote 4 of that paragraph, paragraph 6 of APB Opinion No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock, and EITF Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets,” as applicable. The delay of the effective date for paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-1 will be superseded concurrent with the final issuance of FSP EITF Issue 03-1-a. The disclosure guidance in paragraphs 21 and 22 of EITF Issue 03-1 remains effective. The adoption of EITF 03-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Use of Estimates —Preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of

 

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contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates in the financial statements are the allowance for cancellations, merchandise liability, deferred margin, deferred merchandise trust investment earnings, deferred obtaining costs and income taxes. Deferred margin, deferred merchandise trust investment earnings and deferred obtaining costs are included in deferred cemetery revenues, net, on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Reclassifications —Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Segment Reporting and Related Information —The Company has one reportable segment, death care services.

 

Disclosure of reported segment revenue:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

     (In Thousands)

Revenues:

                           

Cemetery:

                           

Sales

   $ 11,610    $ 10,187    $ 36,229    $ 29,114

Services and other

     5,144      5,438      17,130      16,461

Investment income, including realized gains from merchandise trusts and receivables

     3,093      2,045      8,244      7,694

Deferred margin, recognized

     847      641      2,187      2,470
    

  

  

  

Total cemetery revenues

     20,694      18,311      63,790      55,739

Funeral home revenues

     395      425      1,407      1,284
    

  

  

  

Total Revenues

   $ 21,089    $ 18,736    $ 65,197    $ 57,023
    

  

  

  

 

2. LONG-TERM ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET OF ALLOWANCE

 

Long-term accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (In Thousands)  

Customer receivables

   $ 75,220     $ 73,473  

Unearned finance income

     (7,625 )     (8,500 )

Allowance for contract cancellations

     (9,546 )     (8,806 )
    


 


       58,049       56,167  

Less current portion – net of allowance

     24,961       22,447  
    


 


Long-term portion – net of allowance

   $ 33,088     $ 33,720  
    


 


 

Activity in the allowance for contract cancellations is as follows:

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (In Thousands)  

Balance – Beginning of period

   $ 8,806     $ 8,037  

Provision for cancellations

     4,466       7,515  

Charge-offs – net

     (3,726 )     (6,746 )
    


 


Balance – End of period

   $ 9,546     $ 8,806  
    


 


 

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3. CEMETERY PROPERTY

 

Cemetery property consists of the following:

 

     September 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


     (In Thousands)

Developed land

   $ 21,758    $ 22,992

Undeveloped land

     98,081      98,075

Mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts

     31,155      30,133
    

  

Total

   $ 150,994    $ 151,200
    

  

 

4. PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

 

Major classes of property and equipment follow:

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (In Thousands)  

Building and Improvements

   $ 20,797     $ 20,656  

Furniture and Equipment

     17,900       17,001  
    


 


       38,697       37,657  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (16,767 )     (14,246 )
    


 


Property and equipment – net

   $ 21,930     $ 23,411  
    


 


 

5. PRE-NEED MERCHANDISE AND SERVICES, DUE FROM MERCHANDISE TRUSTS AND MERCHANDISE TRUSTS.

 

Cemetery —In connection with the pre-need sale of cemetery interment rights, merchandise and services, the customer typically enters into an installment contract with the Company. The contract is usually for a period not to exceed 60 months with payments of principal and interest required. Interest is imputed for contracts that do not bear a market rate of interest (at a rate of 5.75% during the year ended December 31, 2003 and during the nine months ended September 30, 2004). The Company establishes an allowance for cancellations due to non-payment at the date of sale based on historic experience and management’s estimates. The allowance is reviewed quarterly and changes in estimates are reflected for current and prior contracts as a result of recent cancellation experience. Actual cancellation rates in the future may result in a change in estimate.

 

The Company evaluates the collectibility of the assets held in merchandise trusts for impairment when the fair values of the assets are below the recorded asset balance. Assets are deemed to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts from the merchandise trust at the time such amounts are due. In those instances when the amount is deemed to be impaired, the merchandise trust is reduced to the currently estimated recoverable amount with a corresponding reduction to the associated deferred cemetery revenues balance. There is no income statement impact as long as deferred revenues are not below the estimated costs to deliver the underlying products or services. If the deferred revenue were to decrease below the estimated cost to deliver the underlying products or services, the Company would record a charge to earnings.

 

Amounts in merchandise trust receivable represent the current portion of the amounts in the merchandise trusts.

 

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At December 31, 2003 the cost and market value associated with the assets held in merchandise trusts follows:

 

     Cost

   Market

     (In Thousands)

Short-term investments

   $ 7,092    $ 7,092

Fixed maturities

     60,054      61,372

Equity securities

     42,639      44,624
    

  

Total

   $ 109,785    $ 113,088
    

  

 

At March 31, 2004, in accordance with FIN 46R, the Company consolidated the merchandise trusts. As a result the Company recorded the merchandise trusts as trust investments by reclassifying the amounts previously in “merchandise trust receivable,” approximately $2.6 million at March 31, 2004, and “due from merchandise trusts,” approximately $112.3 million at March 31, 2004, into “merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value.” Additionally, the Company increased the “merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value” account by $5.2 million to reflect the previously unrecognized net unrealized gains on investments held by the merchandise trusts as of March 31, 2004. The offset to this amount was initially recorded in other comprehensive income and then reclassified to deferred revenues.

 

At September 30, 2004, the cost and market value associated with the assets held in merchandise trusts follows:

 

     Cost

   Gross
Unrealized
Gains


   Gross
Unrealized
Losses


    Market

     (In Thousands)

Short-term investment

   $ 10,554    $ —      $ —       $ 10,554

Fixed maturities:

                            

U.S. Government and federal agency

     3,130      22      (28 )     3,124

U.S. State and local government and agency

     1,997      30      (15 )     2,012

Corporate debt securities

     4,857      180      (131 )     4,906

Other debt securities

     66,875      432      (132 )     67,175
    

  

  


 

Total fixed maturities

     76,859      664      (306 )     77,217
    

  

  


 

Equity securities

     29,506      943      (631 )     29,818
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 116,919    $ 1,607    $ (937 )   $ 117,589
    

  

  


 

 

An aging of unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 2004 is presented below:

 

     Less than 12 months

   12 months or more

   Total

     Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


     (In Thousands)

Fixed maturities:

                                         

U.S. Government and federal agency

   $ 1,747    $ 16    $ 640    $ 12    $ 2,387    $ 28

U.S. State and local government and agency

     370      1      273      14      643      15

Corporate debt securities

     1,612      103      378      28      1,990      131

Other debt securities

     16,255      59      7,316      73      23,571      132
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total fixed maturities

     19,984      179      8,607      127      28,591      306

Equity securities

     12,334      168      1,914      463      14,248      631
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 32,318    $ 347    $ 10,521    $ 590    $ 42,839    $ 937
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

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The Company considers various factors when considering if a decline in fair value of an asset is other than temporary, including but not limited to the length of time and magnitude of the unrealized loss; the volatility of the investment; the credit ratings of the issuers of the investments; and the Company’s intentions to sell or ability to hold the investments. At September 30, 2004, the Company has concluded that the declines in the fair values of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities held by the merchandise trusts are temporary.

 

At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, realized investment earnings related to funds held in merchandise trusts that were deferred were $16.9 million, and $20.0 million, respectively. The realized investment earnings recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as cemetery revenues related to these merchandise trusts were $3.0 million and $3.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Funeral Home —Prearranged funeral home services provide for future funeral home services generally determined by prices prevailing at the time that the contract is signed. A portion of the payments made under funeral home pre-need contracts is placed in funeral trusts. Amounts used to defray the initial cost of administration are not placed in trust. The balance of the amounts in the trusts totaled approximately $0.7 million at December 31, 2003, and approximately $0.8 million at September 30, 2004 and are included within the merchandise trusts above. Funeral trust principal, together with investment earnings retained in trust, are deferred until the service is performed. Upon performance of the contracted funeral home service, the Company recognizes the funeral trust principal amount together with the accumulated trust earnings as funeral home revenues.

 

6. PERPETUAL CARE TRUSTS.

 

At December 31, 2003, the perpetual care trusts, which are not reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, are stated at estimated fair value and were composed of the following investment categories (in thousands):

 

Short-term investments

   $ 5,142

Fixed maturities

     89,795

Equity securities

     25,393

Other

     493
    

Total

   $ 120,823
    

 

At March 31, 2004, in accordance with FIN 46R, the Company consolidated the perpetual care trusts. As a result, the Company now records the perpetual care trusts, at fair value, as trust investments.

 

At September 30, 2004 the cost and market value associated with the assets held in perpetual care trust follows:

 

     Cost

   Gross
Unrealized
Gains


   Gross
Unrealized
Losses


    Market

     (In Thousands)

Short-term investment

   $ 5,144    $ —      $ —       $ 5,144

Fixed maturities

                            

U.S. Government and federal agency

     3,366      71      (23 )     3,414

U.S. State and local government and agency

     1,832      28      (7 )     1,853

Corporate debt securities

     10,410      533      (243 )     10,700

Other debt securities

     79,953      3,143      (5,754 )     77,342
    

  

  


 

Total fixed maturities

     95,561      3,775      (6,027 )     93,309
    

  

  


 

Equity securities

     22,324      3,959      (59 )     26,224
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 123,029    $ 7,734    $ (6,086 )   $ 124,677
    

  

  


 

 

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An aging of unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 2004 held in perpetual care trusts is presented below:

 

     Less than 12 months

   12 months or more

   Total

     Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


   Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Losses


     (In Thousands)

Fixed maturities:

                                         

U.S. Government and federal agency

   $ 1,135    $ 7    $ 736    $ 16    $ 1,871    $ 23

U.S. State and local government and agency

     851      6      55      1      906      7

Corporate debt securities

     2,807      222      774      21      3,581      243

Other debt securities

     66      5      8,216      5,749      8,282      5,754
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total fixed maturities

     4,859      240      9,781      5,787      14,640      6,027

Equity securities

     633      56      307      3      940      59
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

     5,492      296      10,088      5,790      15,580      6,086
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

The Company considers various factors when considering if a decline in fair value of an asset is other than temporary, including but not limited to the length of time and magnitude of the unrealized loss; the volatility of the investment; the credit ratings of the issuers of the investments; and the Company’s intentions to sell or ability to hold the investments. At September 30, 2004 the Company has concluded that the declines in the fair values of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities held in perpetual care trusts are temporary.

 

The Company recorded income from perpetual care trusts of $4.7 million and $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. This income is classified as cemetery revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

7. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The following is a summary of debt outstanding at:

 

     September 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


     (In Thousands)

Term loan, due June 30, 2005 (interest rate—8.0%)

   $ —      $ 106,550

Revolving credit facility, due June 30, 2005 (interest rate—5.17%)

     —        21,500

Note payable, due July 1, 2006, less unamortized discount of $97 at December 31, 2003 (interest rate—5.20%)

     —        603

Note payable, due July 1, 2006, less unamortized discount of $162 at December 31, 2003 (interest rate—5.20%)

     —        1,577

Note payable, due 2004 (non-interest bearing, imputed interest between 5.25% and 8.30%)

     72      381

Note payable, due 2005 (non-interest bearing, imputed interest between 5.25% and 8.30%)

     86      86

Note payable, due 2006 (non-interest bearing, imputed interest 5.0%)

     5      5

Note payable, due 2007 (non-interest bearing, imputed interest 5.0%)

     6      6

Senior secured notes, due 2009 (interest rate—7.66%)

     80,000      —  
    

  

Total

     80,169      130,708

Less current portion

     169      7,814
    

  

Long-term portion

   $ 80,000    $ 122,894
    

  

 

On March 31, 1999, the Company entered into a $200.0 million credit facility with a group of banks and Wachovia Bank, formerly First Union National Bank, as administrative and collateral agent. The credit facility consisted of a $100.0 million term loan and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The proceeds of the term loan

 

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and $27.5 million of the revolving credit facility were used by the Company to finance the acquisition of 123 cemeteries and 4 funeral homes from The Loewen Group, Inc. (see Note 1).

 

On April 8, 2004, the Company amended and restated its credit agreement. This amendment extended the Company’s then existing revolving credit facility maturity date to June 2005 from September 2004. This amendment also changed the quarterly principal payments on the term loan from $7.5 million per quarter beginning June 2004 through March 31, 2005 and $21.5 million per quarter beginning April 1 through December 31, 2005 with the balance to be paid in full March 31, 2006 to $1.25 million due on March 2004 and $2.0 million due quarterly from June 2004 through March 2005 with the remainder due June 2005. The Company paid approximately $1.4 million in fees to the banks in connection with this refinancing.

 

On September 20, 2004, concurrent with the closing of the Partnership’s initial public offering, StoneMor Operating LLC and its subsidiaries issued and sold $80.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes. The senior secured notes bear interest at a rate of 7.66% per annum and mature in 2009. The senior secured notes rank pari passu with all of our other senior secured debt, including the revolving credit facility and the acquisition facility, subject to the description of the collateral securing the senior secured notes described below. The senior secured notes are guaranteed by the Partnership, the general partner of the Partnership and any future subsidiaries of StoneMor Operating LLC. Obligations under the senior secured notes are secured by a first priority lien and security interest covering substantially all of the assets of the issuers of the senior secured notes, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, other than specified receivable rights and a second priority lien and security interest covering those specified receivable rights, each as described above, of such issuers, whether then owned or thereafter acquired.

 

On September 20, 2004, concurrent with the closing of the Partnership’s initial public offering, StoneMor Operating LLC and its subsidiaries entered into a new $35.0 million credit facility with a group of banks. This credit facility consists of a $12.5 million revolving credit line and a $22.5 million acquisition line of credit. Borrowings under the revolving credit line are due and payable on September 20, 2007, and borrowings under the acquisition line of credit are due and payable on September 20, 2008. Depending on the type of loan, this credit facility bears interest at the Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, plus applicable margins ranging from 0.00% to 1% and 2.5% to 3.5% per annum, respectively, depending on our ratio of total debt to consolidated EBIDTA, as defined. The Base Rate is the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.05% or the prime rate announced by Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America Company. The Eurodollar Rate is to be determined by the administrative agent according to the new credit facility. As of September 30, 2004, we had no outstanding borrowings under this credit facility.

 

Borrowings under the credit facility will rank pari passu with all of our other senior secured debt, including the senior secured notes, subject to the description of the collateral securing the credit facility described below. Borrowings under the credit facility will be guaranteed by the Partnership and the general partner of the Partnership.

 

Our obligations under the revolving facility will be secured by a first priority lien and security interest in specified receivable rights, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, of the borrower and the guarantors and by a second priority lien and security interest in substantially all assets other than those receivable rights of the borrower and the guarantors, excluding trust accounts and certain proceeds required by law to be placed into such trust accounts and funds held in trust accounts, our general partner’s interest in the Partnership and our general partner’s incentive distribution rights under the Partnership’s partnership agreement. These assets secure the acquisition facility and our senior secured notes. The specified receivable rights include all accounts and other rights to payment arising under customer contracts or agreements (other than amounts required to be deposited into merchandise and perpetual care trusts) or management agreements, and all inventory, general intangibles and other rights reasonably related to the collection and performance of these accounts and rights to payment.

 

Our obligations under the acquisition facility will be secured by a first priority lien and security interest in substantially all assets, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, other than specified receivable rights of the borrower and the guarantors, excluding trust accounts and certain proceeds required by law to be placed into such trust accounts and funds held in trust accounts, our general partner’s interest in the Partnership and our general partner’s incentive distribution rights under the Partnership’s partnership agreement, and a secondary priority lien and security interest in those specified receivable rights of the borrower and the guarantors. The senior secured notes will share pari passu in the collateral securing the acquisition facility.

 

The agreements governing the revolving credit facility, the acquisition line of credit and the senior secured notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, prohibit distributions upon defined events of default,

 

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restrict investments and sales of assets and require us to maintain certain financial covenants, including specified financial ratios.

 

Deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2003 consisted of approximately $10.6 million of debt issuance costs, less accumulated amortization of approximately $7.1 million. These costs were incurred in connection with the issuance and syndication of the Company’s debt during October 1999.

 

In September 2004, the remaining deferred financing cost associated with the previous outstanding debt was expensed in the amount of $3.9 million. Deferred financing cost relating to our new credit facility and senior secured notes totaled approximately $2.8 million.

 

8. INCOME TAXES

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had a federal net operating loss carryover of approximately $20.2 million, which will begin to expire in 2019. As of December 31, 2003, the Company also had a state net operating loss carryforward of approximately $72.5 million, which will begin to expire in 2004.

 

StoneMor is expected to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. To be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, at least 90% of the Company’s gross income must be qualifying income under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is estimated the Company will pay approximately $0.6 million in state taxes as part of the conversion of Cornerstone from a corporation to a limited liability company, CFSI LLC, in connection with the transfer of the Company’s operations to StoneMor Partners L.P. Going forward the Company is expected to pay no federal income taxes as a partnership. Future tax provisions will relate to the earnings of the Company’s taxable corporate subsidiaries.

 

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 is based upon the estimated annual effective tax rates to be applicable to the Company for 2003 and expected for 2004, respectively.

 

9. DEFERRED CEMETERY REVENUES – NET

 

In accordance with SAB No. 101, the Company defers the revenues and all direct costs associated with the sale of pre-need cemetery merchandise and services until the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. The Company also defers the costs to obtain new pre-need cemetery and new prearranged funeral business as well as the investment earnings on the prearranged services and merchandise trusts (see Note 1).

 

At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, deferred cemetery revenues, net, consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (In Thousands)  

Cemetery revenue

   $ 124,958     $ 113,578  

Merchandise trust revenue

     20,045       16,972  

Pre-acquisition margin

     26,860       29,023  

Cost of goods sold

     (19,925 )     (18,795 )

Selling and obtaining costs

     (28,635 )     (25,545 )
    


 


Total

   $ 123,303     $ 115,233  
    


 


 

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal —The Company is party to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business but does not expect the outcome of any proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

During December 2002, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Alderwoods Group, Inc. (“Alderwoods”) (formerly The Loewen Group, Inc.) related to the dispute concerning the working capital and trust adjustment contained in the purchase agreement between the two companies dated March 31, 1999. The Company

 

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and two of its officers were required to pay Alderwoods a total of $2.8 million. The Company’s share of the settlement totaled $2.0 million, of which $0.6 million was paid in December 2002 and $1.4 million was paid in January 2003. The amounts accrued and paid by the Company have been added to cemetery property as an adjustment of the original purchase price.

 

Leases —At December 31, 2003, the Company was committed to operating lease payments for premises (the corporate headquarters was leased from a related party during the year ended December 31, 2003), automobiles and office equipment under various operating leases with initial terms ranging from one to five years and options to renew at varying terms. Expenses under operating leases were $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004.

 

At September 30, 2004, operating leases will result in future payments in the following approximate amounts (in thousands):

 

2004

   $ 126

2005

     402

2006

     412

2007

     422

2008

     402

Thereafter

     2,058
    

Total

   $ 3,822
    

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

On April 2, 2004, StoneMor Partners L.P. (“StoneMor” or the “Partnership”) was created to own and operate the cemetery and funeral home business conducted by Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) and its subsidiaries. On September 20, 2004, in connection with the initial public offering by the Partnership of common units representing limited partner interests. Cornerstone contributed to the Partnership substantially all of the assets, liabilities and businesses owned and operated by it, and then converted into CFSI LLC, a limited liability company. This transfer represented a reorganization of entities under common control and was recorded at historical cost. In exchange for these assets, liabilities and businesses, CFSI LLC received 564,782 common units and 4,239,782 subordinated units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

Cornerstone was founded in 1999 by members of our management team and a private equity investment firm, which we refer to as McCown De Leeuw, in order to acquire a group of 123 cemetery properties and 4 funeral homes. Since that time, Cornerstone acquired ten additional cemeteries and one funeral home, built two funeral homes and sold one cemetery.

 

Initial Public Offering. On September 20, 2004, StoneMor completed its initial public offering of 3,675,000 common units at a price of $20.50 per unit representing a 42.5% interest in us. On September 23, 2004, StoneMor sold an additional 551,250 common units to the underwriters in connection with the exercise of their over-allotment option and redeemed an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC at a cost of $5.3 million, making a total of 4,239,782 common units outstanding. Total gross proceeds from these sales were $86.6 million, before offering costs and underwriting discounts. The net proceeds to the Partnership, after deducting underwriting discounts but before paying offering costs, from these sales of common units was $80.8 million. Concurrent with the initial public offering, the Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiary, StoneMor Operating LLC, and its subsidiaries, all as borrowers, issued and sold $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes in a private placement and entered into a $12.5 million revolving credit facility and a $22.5 million acquisition facility with a group of banks. The net proceeds of the initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes were used to repay the debt and associated accrued interest of approximately $135.1 million of CFSI LLC and $14.6 million of fees and expenses associated with the initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes. The remaining funds have been reserved for general partnership purposes, including the construction of mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts and the purchases of equipment needed to install burial vaults. One-half of the net proceeds of the sale of common units upon the exercise of the over-allotment option was used to redeem an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC, and one-half has been reserved for general partnership purposes. The proceeds received by the Partnership and its subsidiaries from the sales of common units and senior secured notes and the use of these proceeds is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Proceeds received:

      

Sale of 4,226,250 common units at $20.50 per unit

   $ 86,638

Issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total proceeds received

   $ 166,638

Use of proceeds from sale of common units

      

Underwriting discount

   $ 5,849

Professional fees and other offering costs

     7,432

Repayment of debt and accrued interest

     56,361

Redemption of 551,250 units from CFSI LLC

     5,255

Reserve for general partnership purposes

     11,741
    

Total use of proceeds from the sale of common units

   $ 86,638

Use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

      

Private placement fee

   $ 1,076

Other debt issuance costs

     215

Repayment of debt

     78,709
    

Total use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total use of proceeds

   $ 166,638
    

 

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We are an owner and operator of cemeteries in the United States of America. As of September 30, 2004, the Company operated 132 cemeteries in 12 states, located primarily in the eastern United States of America. The Company owns 121 of these cemeteries and operates the remaining 11 under long-term management agreements with cemetery associations that own the cemeteries. As a result of the agreements and other control arrangements, StoneMor consolidates the results of the 11 managed cemeteries in our historical consolidated financial statements.

 

StoneMor sells cemetery products and services both at the time of death, which the Company refers to as at-need, and prior to the time of death, which the Company refers to as pre-need. During the first nine months of 2004, StoneMor performed over 16,600 burials and sold more then 11,800 interment rights (net of cancellations) compared to 16,500 and 11,600, respectively for the same period of 2003.

 

Cemetery Operations

 

Sources of Revenues . Our results of operations are determined primarily by the volume of sales of products and services and the timing of product delivery and performance of services. We derive our revenues primarily from:

 

  at-need sales of cemetery interment rights, merchandise and services, which we recognize as revenues at the time of sale;

 

  pre-need sales of cemetery interment rights, which we generally recognize as revenues when we have collected 10% of the sales price from the customer;

 

  pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise, which we recognize as revenues when we satisfy the criteria specified below for delivery of the merchandise to the customer;

 

  pre-need sales of cemetery services, other than perpetual care services, which we recognize as revenues when we perform the services for the customer;

 

  accumulated merchandise trust earnings related to the delivery of pre-need cemetery merchandise and the performance of pre-need cemetery services, which we recognize as revenues when we deliver the merchandise or perform the services;

 

  income from perpetual care trusts, which we recognize as revenues as the income is earned in the trust; and

 

  other items, such as interest income on pre-need installment contracts and sales of land.

 

Revenues from pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and the related accumulated merchandise trust earnings are deferred until the merchandise is “delivered” to the customer, which generally means that:

 

  the merchandise is complete and ready for installation or, in the case of merchandise other than burial vaults, storage on third-party premises;

 

  the merchandise is either installed or stored at an off-site location, at no additional cost to us, and specifically identified with a particular customer, except as described below; and

 

  the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer.

 

We generally satisfy these delivery criteria by purchasing the merchandise and either installing it on our cemetery property or storing it, at the customer’s request, in third-party warehouses, at no additional cost to us, until the time of need. With respect to burial vaults, we install the vaults rather than storing them to satisfy the delivery criteria. When merchandise is stored for a customer, we may issue a certificate of ownership to the customer to evidence the transfer to the customer of the risks and rewards of ownership.

 

Deferred Cemetery Revenues, Net. Deferred revenues from pre-need sales and related merchandise trust earnings are reflected on our balance sheet in deferred cemetery revenues, net, until we recognize the amounts as revenues. Deferred cemetery revenues, net, also includes deferred revenues from pre-need sales that were entered into by entities we acquired prior to the time we acquired them. These entities include those that we acquired at the time of the formation of Cornerstone and other entities we subsequently acquired. We recognize revenues from these acquired pre-need sales in the manner described above—that is, when we deliver the merchandise to, or perform the services for, the customer. Our profit margin on these pre-need sales is generally less than our profit margin on other

 

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pre-need sales because, in accordance with industry practice at the time these acquired pre-need sales were made, none of the selling expenses were recognized at the time of sale. As a result, we are required to recognize all of the expenses (including deferred selling expenses) associated with these acquired pre-need sale when we recognize the revenues from that sale. Under current industry practice, we recognize certain expenses, such as indirect selling costs, maintenance costs and general and administrative costs, at the time the pre-need sale is made and defer other expenses, such as direct selling costs and costs of goods sold, until we recognize revenues on the sale. As a result, our profit margin on current pre-need sales is generally higher than on the pre-need sales we acquired.

 

Funeral Home Operations

 

We also derive revenues from the sale of funeral home merchandise, including caskets and related funeral merchandise, and services, including removal and preparation of remains, the use of our facilities for visitation, worship and performance of funeral services and transportation services. These services and merchandise are sold by us almost exclusively at the time of need by salaried licensed funeral directors.

 

We generally include revenues from pre-need casket sales in the results of our cemetery operations. However, some states require that caskets be sold by funeral homes, and revenues from casket sales in those states are included in our funeral home results. We do not report the results of our funeral home operations as a separate business segment.

 

Each of our seven funeral homes is located on the grounds of one of the cemeteries that we own. As a result, we are able to combine certain general and administrative expenses that relate to both the cemetery and the funeral home at the same location. Our other funeral home operating expenses consist primarily of compensation to our funeral directors and the cost of caskets.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements. We prepared these financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements required us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We based our estimates, judgments and assumptions on historical experience and known facts and other assumptions that we believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In future periods, we expect to make similar estimates, judgments and assumptions on the same basis as we have historically. Our actual results in future periods may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the following accounting policies or estimates had or will have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements for the periods discussed and for future periods.

 

Revenue Recognition. At-need sales of cemetery interment rights, merchandise and services and at-need sales of funeral home merchandise and services are recognized as revenues when the interment rights or merchandise is delivered or the services are performed.

 

Revenues from pre-need sales of cemetery interment rights in constructed burial property are deferred until at least 10% of the sales price has been collected. Revenues from pre-need sales of cemetery interment rights in unconstructed burial property, such as mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts, are deferred until at least 10% of the sales price has been collected, at which time revenues are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting requires us to estimate the percentage of completion as of the balance sheet date and future costs (including estimates for future inflation). Changes to our estimates of the percentage of completion or the related future costs would impact the amount of recognized and deferred revenues.

 

Revenues from pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services are deferred until the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. Investment earnings generated by funds required to be deposited into merchandise trusts, including realized gains and losses, in connection with pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services are deferred until the associated merchandise is delivered or the services are performed.

 

We defer recognition of the direct costs associated with pre-need sales of cemetery products and services. Direct costs are those costs that vary with and are directly related to obtaining new pre-need cemetery business and the actual cost of the products and services we sell. Direct costs are expensed when the related revenues are recognized. Until that time, direct costs are reflected on our balance sheet in deferred cemetery revenues, net.

 

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Allowance for Cancellations. Allowances for cancellations arising from non-payment of pre-need contracts are estimated at the date of sale based upon our historical cancellation experience. Due to the number of estimates and projections used in determining an expected cancellation rate and the possibility of changes in collection patterns resulting from modifications to our collection policies or contract terms, actual collections could differ from these estimates.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We monitor the recoverability of long-lived assets, including cemetery property, property and equipment and other assets, based on estimates using factors such as current market value, future asset utilization, business and regulatory climate and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets. Our policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the sum of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset. Modifications to our estimates could result in our recording impairment charges in future periods.

 

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas additions and major replacements are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. We estimate that the useful lives of our buildings and improvements are 10 to 40 years, that the useful lives of our furniture and equipment are 5 to 10 years and that the useful lives of our leasehold improvements are the respective terms of the leases. These estimates could be impacted in the future by changes in market conditions or other factors.

 

Income Taxes. We make estimates and judgments to calculate some of our tax liabilities and determine the recoverability of some of our deferred tax assets, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. We also estimate a reserve for deferred tax assets if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods.

 

In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, recent cumulative losses and our forecast of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, we make assumptions for the amount of taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require us to make judgments about our future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we use to manage our business. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

 

From and after the closing of our initial public offering on September 20, 2004, we expect to reduce the amount of our future taxable income as a result of the change in our treatment to a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes. However, some of our operations will be continue to be conducted through corporate subsidiaries that will be subject to applicable U.S. federal and state income taxes. Accordingly, changes in our income tax plans and estimates may impact our earnings in future periods.

 

As of December 31, 2003, Cornerstone, our predecessor, and its affiliated group of corporate subsidiaries had a consolidated federal net operating loss carryover of approximately $20.2 million, and we expect our subsidiaries to have a federal net operating loss carryover of approximately $35.0 million. These net operating losses will begin to expire in 2019 and are available to reduce future taxable income of our taxable subsidiaries which would otherwise be subject to federal income taxes. Our ability to use such federal net operating losses may be limited by changes in the ownership of our units deemed to result in an “ownership change” under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

For additional information about, among other things, our pre-need sales, at-need sales, trusting requirements, cash flow, expenses and operations, please see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Partnership’s Prospectus dated September 14, 2004 and filed with the SEC (the “Prospectus”).

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003 and December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46 and 46 revised, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities: an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51.” FIN 46R clarifies the application of ARB No. 51, “Consolidated

 

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Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46R defines the terms related to variable interest entities and clarifies whether such entities should be consolidated. FIN 46R applies to enterprises that have a variable interest in variable interest entities and is effective for the first financial reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The requirements of this interpretation, as revised, have been applicable to us since the quarter ending March 31, 2004.

 

The adoption of FIN 46R resulted in the consolidation of the merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts in our consolidated balance sheet after such adoption, but did not change the legal relationships among the merchandise trusts, the perpetual care trusts, holders of our pre-need contracts and us. The implementation of FIN 46R had no impact on our net loss or cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004. See Note 1 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of the adoption of FIN 46R.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or, in some circumstances, an asset. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Implementation of SFAS No. 150 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements in 2003.

 

In March 2004, the EITF ratified Issue No. 03-01, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (EITF 03-01). EITF 03-01 provides guidance on the recognition and measurement of other-than-temporary impairments of debt and equity investments and requires certain disclosures related to unrealized losses. The recognition and measurement provisions of EITF 03-01 are effective for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004. The FASB has proposed FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 03-1-a which provides guidance for the application paragraph 16 of EITF 03-1 to debt securities that are impaired because of interest rate and/or sector spread increases. In September 2004, the FASB issued FSP 03-1-1 to delay the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue 03-1. This delay does not suspend the requirement to recognize other-than-temporary impairments as required by existing authoritative literature. During the period of the delay, an entity holding investments should continue to apply relevant “other-than-temporary” guidance, such as paragraph 16 of FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, including the guidance referenced in footnote 4 of that paragraph, paragraph 6 of APB Opinion No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock, and EITF Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets,” as applicable. The delay of the effective date for paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-1 will be superseded concurrent with the final issuance of FSP EITF Issue 03-1-a. The disclosure guidance in paragraphs 21 and 22 of EITF Issue 03-1 remains effective. The adoption of EITF 03-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Risk Factors

 

Readers of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are referred to the Prospectus for additional information concerning factors, risks and uncertainties with respect to the Partnership’s business, taxes, an investment in the Partnership’s common units and laws, rules and regulations affecting the Partnership.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The following discussion and analysis is based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Note 1 – Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report contains a summary of our significant accounting policies. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the notes thereto).

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                                

Revenues:

                                

Cemetery

   $ 20,694     $ 18,311     $ 63,790     $ 55,739  

Funeral home

     395       425       1,407       1,284  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     21,089       18,736       65,197       57,023  
    


 


 


 


Costs and expenses:

                                

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

                                

Land and crypts

     1,398       1,306       3,622       3,710  

Perpetual care

     686       642       2,036       1,921  

Merchandise

     1,012       665       3,634       2,461  

Cemetery expense

     5,031       4,489       14,765       13,088  

Selling expense

     4,413       3,955       13,958       11,609  

General and administrative expense

     2,489       2,293       7,353       6,910  

Corporate overhead (including $433 in stock-based compensation in 2004)

     2,968       2,819       7,959       7,524  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,073       1,294       3,554       3,667  

Funeral home expense

     419       359       1,309       1,100  

Expense related to refinancing

     4,200       —         4,200       —    

Interest expense

     2,623       2,629       7,907       8,696  

Income taxes (benefit)

     (724 )     2,419       214       2,382  
    


 


 


 


Net loss

   $ (4,499 )   $ (4,134 )   $ (5,314 )   $ (6,045 )
    


 


 


 


 

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The following table presents supplemental operating data as of the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Operating Data:

                           

Interments performed

     5,315      5,351      16,653      16,510

Cemetery revenues per interment performed

   $ 4,158    $ 3,662    $ 3,915    $ 3,454

Interment rights sold (1) :

                           

Lots

     3,370      3,462      9,933      9,467

Mausoleum crypts (including pre-construction)

     441      561      1,493      1,782

Niches

     107      115      387      358
    

  

  

  

Total interment rights sold

     3,918      4,138      11,813      11,607
    

  

  

  

Cemetery revenues per interment right sold (1)

   $ 5,640    $ 4,735    $ 5,519    $ 4,913

Number of contracts written

     11,214      11,644      35,091      36,541

Aggregate contract amount, in thousands (excluding interest)

   $ 22,306    $ 22,270    $ 69,822    $ 69,166

Average amount per contract (excluding interest)

   $ 1,989    $ 1,913    $ 1,990    $ 1,893

Number of pre-need contracts written

     5,237      5,347      16,148      17,152

Aggregate pre-need contract amount, in thousands (excluding interest)

   $ 14,674    $ 14,953    $ 45,864    $ 46,689

Average amount per pre-need contract (excluding interest)

   $ 2,802    $ 2,797    $ 2,840    $ 2,722

Number of at-need contracts written

     5,977      6,297      18,943      19,389

Aggregate at-need contract amount, in thousands

   $ 7,632    $ 7,317    $ 23,958    $ 22,477

Average amount per at-need contract

   $ 1,277    $ 1,162    $ 1,265    $ 1,159

(1) Net of cancellations. Counts the sale of a double-depth burial lot as the sale of two interment rights.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 versus Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

Cemetery Revenues. Cemetery revenues were $20.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $2.4 million, or 13.0%, as compared to $18.3 million in the same period of 2003. Cemetery revenues from pre-need sales, including interest income from pre-need installment contracts and investment income from trusts, were $13.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $2.3 million, or 20.7%, as compared to $11.1 million in the same period of 2003. The increase primarily resulted from more casket deliveries ($1.5 million), performance of more initial opening and closings ($0.7 million), and more vault deliveries ($0.7 million). An additional contribution to the increase in cemetery revenue from pre-need sales was higher accumulated earnings from merchandise trusts allocated to the pre-need products delivered during the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Total revenues from merchandise and perpetual care trust for the three months ended September 30, 2004 were higher by $1.0 million than the same period in 2003. The increase in the deliveries of pre-need products and services in the three months ended September 30, 2004 was a result of management’s continuation of cash flow management initiatives implemented in 2003. These increases were offset by a decrease in deliveries of monument bases and markers of $1.7 million.

 

Cemetery revenues from at-need sales in the three months ended September 30, 2004 were $7.0 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 6.0%, as compared to $6.6 million in the same period of 2003. The increase in cemetery revenues from at-need sales was primarily attributable to higher sales of monument bases and markers of $0.1 million, higher sales of at-need mausoleum crypts of $0.1 million and higher sales of at-need interment rights of $0.1 million.

 

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Other cemetery revenues were $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 50.0%, from $0.6 million in the same period of 2003. The decrease in other cemetery revenues was primarily attributable to a decrease in one-time sales of undeveloped land for net proceeds of $0.3 million.

 

Costs of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold was $3.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.5 million, or 18.5%, as compared to $2.6 million in the comparable period of 2003. As a percentage of cemetery revenues, cost of goods sold increased to 15.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2004 from 14.3% in the same period of 2003. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of cemetery revenues was attributable to lower gross profit margin achieved on the sale of interment rights (lots and mausoleums) and markers and monument bases. The gross profit margin on lots was 69.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 67.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2004. The gross profit margin on mausoleums was 67.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 64.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2004. The gross profit margin associated with the deliveries of markers and monument bases was 80.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 77.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2004. This increase was partially offset by improving our margin on casket deliveries in the three months ended September 30, 2004 of 76.5% compared to the margin on casket deliveries in the three months ended September 30, 2003 of 71.5%.

 

Selling Expense. Total selling expense was $4.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.4 million, or 11.6%, as compared to $4.0 million in the same period of 2003. Sales commissions and other compensation expenses contributed $3.2 million to total selling expense during the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.4 million, or 16.5%, compared to $2.8 million in the same period of 2003. As a percentage of pre-need sales, sales commissions and other compensation expenses were 34.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to 34.8% in the same period of the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to higher commissions and bonuses relating to a higher level of product deliveries. Indirect selling expenses were $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2004, remaining at the same level as those in the same period of 2003.

 

Cemetery Expense . Cemetery expense was $5.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.5 million, or 12.1%, as compared to $4.5 million in the same period of 2003. This increase was primarily due to an increase in cemetery maintenance costs of $0.2 million, medical benefit costs of $0.1 million, and payroll expenses of $0.1 million.

 

General and Administrative Expense . General and administrative expense was $2.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.2 million, or 8.5%, as compared to $2.3 million in the same period of 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in higher medical benefits costs of $0.1 million and office supplies of $0.1 million.

 

Funeral Home Revenues and Expense. Funeral home revenues were $0.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 unchanged from the same period of the prior year. Funeral home expense was $0.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 unchanged from the same period of the prior year.

 

Corporate Overhead. Corporate overhead was $3.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.2 million, or 5.3%, as compared to $2.8 million in the same period of 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to higher payroll and medical benefit costs of approximately $0.1 million and higher operating costs of $0.1 million.

 

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization was $1.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 17.1%, as compared to $1.3 million in the same period of 2003. The decrease was primarily due to lower depreciation expenses for vehicles and cemetery equipment placed in service prior to 2003.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004, unchanged compared to same period of the prior year.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes . Benefit from income taxes was $0.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2003. The change in provision (benefit) for income taxes was primarily due to a reduction in the deferred taxes of $1.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 related to the change in tax status from a corporation to a partnership, the tax liability due upon the conveyance of certain assets to the Partnership and

 

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the three months ended September 30, 2003 included an accrual of $1.1 million for additional state taxes due on properties acquired from the Loewen Group for the tax years 1994 through 1998 as a result of an IRS examination of the tax returns for those years.

 

StoneMor Partners L.P. is treated as a partnership for federal income taxes purposes.

 

Net Loss . Net loss was $4.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of $0.4 million, or 8.8%, as compared to a net loss of $4.1 million during the same period of 2003. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to expenses relating to the restructuring of our credit facility.

 

Deferred Cemetery Revenue. Deferred cemetery revenues, net, increased $3.0 million, or 2.5%, in the three months ended September 30, 2004, from $119.8 million as of June 30, 2004 to $122.8 million, excluding the impact of mark-to-market of $0.5 million, as of September 30, 2004. In the comparable period in 2003, deferred cemetery revenues, net, increased $3.2 million, or 2.9%, from $110.1 million as of June 30, 2003 to $113.4 million as of September 30, 2003. The net increase in the three months ended September 30, 2004 was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of pre-need cemetery products and services that were not delivered or performed in the three months ended September 30, 2004. In the three months ended September 30, 2004, we added $7.6 million in pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services, net of deferred costs and cancellations, to our pre-need sales backlog which was offset by revenues recognized, net of costs, of $4.6 million, including accumulated merchandise trust earnings related to the delivery and performance of pre-need cemetery merchandise and services. In the three months ended September 30, 2003, we added $7.8 million in pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services, net of deferred costs and cancellations, to our pre-need sales backlog which was offset by revenues recognized, net of costs, of $4.6 million, including accumulated merchandise trust earnings related to the delivery and performance of pre-need cemetery merchandise and services.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 versus Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

Cemetery Revenues. Cemetery revenues were $63.8 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $8.1 million, or 14.4%, as compared to $55.7 million in the first nine months 2003. Cemetery revenues from pre-need sales, including interest income from pre-need installment contracts and investment income from trusts, were $39.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $6.2 million, or 18.6%, as compared to $33.4 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase primarily resulted from more casket deliveries ($3.6 million), performance of more initial opening and closings ($2.3 million), and more vault deliveries ($1.5 million). An additional contribution to the increase in cemetery revenue from pre-need sales was higher accumulated earnings from merchandise trusts allocated to the pre-need products delivered during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Total revenues from merchandise and perpetual care trusts for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were higher by $0.6 million than the same period in 2003. These increases were offset by a decrease in deliveries of monument bases and markers of $1.1 million and a decrease in deliveries of pre-construction mausoleum crypts of $0.9 million.

 

Cemetery revenues from at-need sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $22.1 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 5.0%, as compared to $21.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in cemetery revenues from at-need sales was primarily attributable to higher sales of monument bases and markers of $0.4 million, higher sales of at-need mausoleum crypts of $0.4 million and higher sales of at-need interment rights of $0.2 million.

 

Other cemetery revenues were $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.8 million, or 61.5%, from $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in other cemetery revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in one-time sales of undeveloped land for net proceeds of $0.8 million.

 

Costs of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold was $9.3 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $1.2 million, or 14.8%, as compared to $8.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. As a percentage of cemetery revenues, cost of goods sold increased to 14.6% in the first nine months of 2004 from 14.5% in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of cemetery revenues was attributable to the lower gross profit margin achieved on the sale of interment rights (lots and mausoleums). The gross profit margin on lots was 69.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 67.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The gross profit margin on mausoleums was 67.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to 65.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2004. This increase was partially offset by improving

 

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our margin on casket deliveries in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 of 74.4% compared to the margin on casket deliveries in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 of 69.1%.

 

Selling Expense. Total selling expense was $14.0 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $2.4 million, or 20.2% as compared to $11.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. Sales commissions and other compensation expenses contributed $10.1 million to total selling expense during the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $2.1 million, or 26.3%, compared to $8.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. As a percentage of pre-need sales, sales commissions and other compensation expenses were 35.8% in the first nine months of 2004, as compared to 35.3% in the first nine months of 2003. Approximately $1.6 million of this increase was primarily attributable to higher commissions and bonuses relating to a higher level of product deliveries. An increase in employee benefits due to an increase in self-insured medical claims contributed to $0.5 million of the increase. Indirect selling expenses were $3.8 million during the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.2 million, or 5.0%, from $3.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. This increase was primarily due to higher lead generation costs such as telemarketing and advertising.

 

Cemetery Expense . Cemetery expense was $14.8 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $1.7 million, or 12.8%, as compared to $13.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. This increase was primarily due to an increase in cemetery maintenance costs of $0.6 million, medical benefit costs of $0.5 million, payroll expenses of $0.3 million, and higher costs associated with the installation of vaults of $0.2 million.

 

General and Administrative Expense . General and administrative expense was $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.5 million, or 6.4%, as compared to $6.9 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in higher medical benefits costs of $0.3 million and payroll costs of $0.1 million.

 

Funeral Home Revenues and Expense. Funeral home revenues were $1.4 million in the fist nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.1 million, or 9.6%, as compared to $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. The primary reason for the increase was a result of the number of services performed, 422 in the nine months of 2004 compared to 397 in the same period of 2003. Funeral home expense was $1.3 million in the nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.2 million, or 19.0%, compared to $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in funeral home expense was primarily due to increased wages and benefits of $0.1 million and administrative costs of $0.1 million.

 

Corporate Overhead. Corporate overhead was $8.0 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $0.5 million, or 5.8%, as compared to $7.5 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase was primarily related to an increase of $0.4 million in stock-based compensation award.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $3.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 3.1%, as compared to $3.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease was primarily due to lower depreciation expenses for vehicles and cemetery equipment placed in service before 2003.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $7.9 million in the first nine months of 2004, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 9.1%, as compared to $8.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of the expiration of our interest rate swap in February 2003, which prior to its expiration, fixed the interest rate on $75.0 million of our variable rate term loan at 10.99%. In March 2003, we replaced this swap with an interest rate cap that capped the interest rate on $55.0 million of our variable rate term loan at 9.5%. The expiration of the swap enabled us to benefit from the low interest rate environment at that time and lowered the interest rate on $75.0 million of our debt from 10.99% in the first two months of 2003 to 8.0% for the remainder of 2003 and for the first nine months of 2004. The remaining decline in interest expense was due to our net repayment of $6.0 million on our term loan since the first nine months of 2003. The decrease was partially offset by a higher interest rate we experienced on our revolving line of credit due to an amendment exercised in April 2004. The amendment increased the interest rate on our revolving line of credit from a variable rate averaging 5.2% to a fixed 8.0% between then and September 20, 2004.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes . Provision for income taxes was $0.2 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $2.4 million during the first nine months of 2003. The change in provision (benefit) for income taxes was primarily due to a reduction in the deferred taxes of $1.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 related to the change in tax status from a corporation to a partnership, the tax liability due upon the conveyance of certain assets to the Partnership and the three months ended

 

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September 30, 2003 included an accrual of $1.1 million for additional state taxes due on properties acquired from the Loewen Group for the tax years 1994 through 1998 as a result of an IRS examination of the tax returns for those years.

 

StoneMor Partners L.P. is treated as a partnership for federal income taxes purposes.

 

Net Loss . Net loss was $5.3 million during the first nine months of 2004, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 11.7%, as compared to a net loss of $6.0 million during the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in net loss was primarily attributable to the increase in operating profit of $2.0 million, a decrease in interest expense of $0.8 million, and a change in the provision for income taxes of $2.1 million. This was partially offset by costs associated with the restructuring of our credit facility of $4.2 million.

 

Deferred Cemetery Revenue. Deferred cemetery revenues, net, increased $7.6 million, or 6.6% in the first nine months of 2004, from $115.2 million as of December 31, 2003 to $122.8 million, excluding the impact of mark-to-market of $0.5 million, as of September 30, 2004. In the comparable period in 2003, deferred cemetery revenues, net, increased $9.8 million, or 9.5%, from $103.6 million as of December 31, 2002 to $113.4 million as of September 30, 2003. The net increase in the first nine months of 2004 was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of pre-need cemetery products and services that were not delivered or performed in the first nine months of 2004. In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we added $19.3 million in pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services, net of deferred costs and cancellations, to our pre-need sales backlog which was offset by revenues recognized, net of costs, of $11.7 million, including accumulated merchandise trust earnings related to the delivery and performance of pre-need cemetery merchandise and services. In the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we added $19.1 million in pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services, net of deferred costs and cancellations, to our pre-need sales backlog which was offset by revenues recognized, net of costs, of $9.3 million, including accumulated merchandise trust earnings related to the delivery and performance of pre-need cemetery merchandise and services.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Overview. Our primary short-term operating liquidity needs are to fund general working capital requirements and maintenance capital expenditures. Our long-term operating liquidity needs are primarily associated with acquisitions of cemetery properties and the construction of mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts on the grounds of our cemetery properties. We may also construct funeral homes on the grounds of cemetery properties that we acquire in the future. Our primary source of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flow from operations and income from perpetual care trusts. Our primary source of funds for long-term liquidity needs will be long-term bank borrowings and the issuance of additional common units and other partnership securities, including debt, subject to the restrictions in our new credit facility and under our senior secured notes.

 

We believe that cash generated from operations and our borrowing capacity under our new credit facility, which is discussed below, will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures and scheduled debt payments for the foreseeable future. We anticipate ongoing annual capital expenditure requirements of between approximately $1.7 million and $2.9 million for the foreseeable future, of which between $1.1 million and $2.0 million is for maintenance of our existing cemeteries and between $0.6 million and 0.8 million is for mausoleum and lawn crypt construction and other expansion, excluding acquisitions. The estimate for cemetery maintenance capital expenditures would increase if we were to acquire additional cemetery properties.

 

One of our goals is to grow through the acquisition of high-quality cemetery properties. We anticipate financing these acquisitions with the proceeds of borrowings under our credit facility or the issuance of additional common units and other partnership securities, including debt, to the extent permitted under our credit facility, the senior secured notes and our partnership agreement. Since Cornerstone began operations in 1999, we have acquired ten cemetery properties ranging in price per cemetery from $0.2 million to $11.0 million and having an aggregate purchase price of $27.4 million.

 

Our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations, fund planned capital expenditures, make acquisitions and pay distributions to partners will depend upon our future operating performance. Our operating performance is primarily dependent on the sales volume of customer contracts, the cost of purchasing cemetery merchandise that we have sold, the amount of funds withdrawn from merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts and the timing and amount of collections on our pre-need installment contracts.

 

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Cash Flow from Operating Activities . Cash flows from operating activities were $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to cash flows from operating activities of $2.1 million during the first nine months of 2003. Cash outflows from operating activities in the first nine months of 2004 included payments of approximately $1.7 million for corporate bonuses that were earned and expensed in 2003 but paid in the first nine months of 2004 and approximately $1.4 million in fees relating to amending our then existing credit facility. Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2003 were $2.1 million and included payments of $1.4 million for interest accrued in 2002 on our interest rate swap, which expired in February 2003, and $1.4 million to Alderwoods Group, Inc. (formerly The Loewen Group, Inc.) for expenses accrued in 2002 relating to the settlement of disputes in connection with the acquisition of cemetery properties and funeral homes in 1999. The remaining change in cash outflows was primarily attributable to the net loss of $5.3 million recorded during the first nine months of 2004 as compared to a net loss of $6.0 million during the first nine months of 2003 and changes in working capital.

 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities . Net cash used in investing activities was $4.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of $1.4 million, as compared to $2.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in expenditures for mausoleum construction costs of $1.0 million and an increase in acquisition of equipment of $0.4 million.

 

In future periods, costs to construct mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts may be considered to be a combination of maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures depending on the purposes for construction. Our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee, will have the discretion to determine how to allocate a capital expenditure for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt between maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures. In addition, maintenance capital expenditures for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt will not be subtracted from operating surplus in the quarter incurred but rather will be subtracted from operating surplus ratably during the estimated number of years it will take to sell all of the available spaces in the mausoleum or lawn crypt. Estimated life will be determined by our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee.

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $8.7 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to an outflow of $2.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. The cash flow from investing activities was primarily attributable to the results of our initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes in a private placement transaction. The net proceeds of $59.2 million from the sale of partner units less the financing costs together with the proceeds from our senior secured notes of $80.0 million were used in part to repay the outstanding amounts on the term loan, revolving line of credit, a note to a seller of one of our acquisitions, and financing costs associated with obtaining our senior secured notes and credit facility. In the first nine months of 2003, we increased borrowings under our credit facility by $1.5 million primarily to fund the $1.4 million settlement payment to Alderwoods Group, Inc., discussed above. This increase was offset by scheduled principal repayments on our term loan and other loans of $4.2 million in the first nine months of 2003.

 

Credit Facility . On September 20, 2004, we paid in full all amounts outstanding under our old credit facility, which consisted of $26.5 million under our revolving credit facility and a $103.1 million term loan, from a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the private placement of senior secured notes. The term loan and borrowings under the old revolving credit facility bore interest at 18.0% per annum beginning September 15, 2004, and would have increased an additional 2.0% per annum on each of January 1, 2005 and April 1, 2005. Prior to September 15, 2004, the term loan and borrowings under the old revolving credit facility bore interest at the aggregate rate of 4.5% plus the greater of LIBOR or 3.5%.

 

Concurrent with the closing of our initial public offering, StoneMor Operating LLC, which is our operating company, and its present and future subsidiaries, all as borrowers, entered into a new $35.0 million credit agreement. The new credit agreement consists of a $12.5 million revolving credit facility and a $22.5 million acquisition line of credit. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility are due and payable three years after the date of the credit agreement, and borrowings under the acquisition facility are due and payable four years after the date of the credit agreement. We may prepay all loans under the credit agreement at any time without penalty, although our acquisition line may be subject to hedging arrangements with attendant termination fees. Any amounts repaid on the acquisition line cannot be reborrowed. We are required to reduce borrowings under our revolving credit facility that are designated for the purpose of funding a regularly scheduled quarterly distribution to the unitholders to not more than $5.0 million for a period of at least 30 consecutive days at least once during each consecutive 12-month period prior to the maturity of the revolving credit facility.

 

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The revolving credit facility is available for ongoing working capital needs, capital expenditures, distributions and general partnership purposes. Amounts borrowed and repaid under the revolving credit facility may be borrowed in an amount that does not exceed 80% of our eligible accounts receivable. Eligible accounts receivable are defined as gross accounts receivable represented by approved installment agreements for pre-need sales net of collection reserves, imputed interest earnings, funds due to perpetual care and merchandise trusts, unpaid sales commissions and other reserves as may be required by the agent for the lenders.

 

The acquisition facility is available to finance acquisitions of companies in our line of business that have been approved by our board of directors. We are required to obtain the approval of the requisite lenders for any acquisition exceeding $2.5 million and for any series of acquisitions exceeding $20.0 million in any consecutive 12 months, but this consent may not be unreasonably withheld. Interest under the acquisition facility is payable quarterly for the first 12 months after each borrowing. We will repay the then outstanding borrowings in equal quarterly installments based on a six-year amortization schedule, with the first quarterly principal payment beginning 15 months after each borrowing and subsequent quarterly principal payments continuing on each 3 month interval from the previous quarterly principal payment and with a balloon payment for any unpaid amount due at the maturity of the acquisition facility.

 

Borrowings under the credit agreement will rank pari passu with all of our other senior secured debt, including the senior secured notes issued concurrently with our initial public offering, subject to the description of the collateral securing the credit agreement described below. Borrowings under the credit agreement will be guaranteed by the partnership and our general partner.

 

Our obligations under the revolving facility will be secured by a first priority lien and security interest in specified receivable rights, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, of the borrowers and the guarantors and by a second priority lien and security interest in substantially all assets other than those receivable rights of the borrowers and the guarantors, excluding trust accounts and certain proceeds required by law to be placed into such trust accounts and funds held in trust accounts, our general partner’s general partner interest in the partnership and our general partner’s incentive distribution rights under our partnership agreement. These assets will secure the acquisition facility and our senior secured notes, as described below and under “—Senior Secured Notes.” The specified receivable rights include all accounts and other rights to payment arising under customer contracts or agreements (other than amounts required to be deposited into merchandise and perpetual care trusts) or management agreements, and all inventory, general intangibles and other rights reasonably related to the collection and performance of these accounts and rights to payment.

 

Our obligations under the acquisition facility will be secured by a first priority lien and security interest in substantially all assets, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, other than specified receivable rights of the borrowers and the guarantors, excluding trust accounts and certain proceeds required by law to be placed into such trust accounts and funds held in trust accounts, our general partner’s general partner interest in the partnership and our general partner’s incentive distribution rights under our partnership agreement, and a secondary priority lien and security interest in those specified receivable rights of the borrowers and the guarantors. The senior secured notes will share pari passu in the collateral securing the acquisition facility.

 

Depending on the type of loan, indebtedness outstanding under the revolving credit facility bears interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 1.00% and 2.50% to 3.50% per annum, respectively, depending on our ratio of total debt to consolidated cash flow. The Base Rate is the higher of the federal funds rate plus .050% or the prime rate announced by Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America company. The Eurodollar Rate is to be determined by the administrative agent according to the new credit agreement. The interest will be determined and payable quarterly. We incur commitment fees ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per annum, depending on our ratio of total debt to consolidated cash flow, determined and payable quarterly based on the unused amount of the credit facilities.

 

We are required to use the net cash proceeds from the sale of any assets, the incurrence of any indebtedness or the issuance of any equity interests in the partnership or any subsidiary of the partnership to repay amounts outstanding under the credit agreement and our senior secured notes, pro rata based on the percentage share of the aggregate amounts outstanding, provided that we may use the proceeds from the sale of any assets to purchase capital assets or fund permitted acquisitions within 180 days of such sale and we may use the proceeds from any issuance of equity interests by the partnership to fund permitted acquisitions to the extent such equity interests are issued in connection with a permitted acquisition that is completed within 180 days before or after the receipt of such proceeds.

 

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The credit agreement prevents us from declaring dividends or distributions if any event of default, as defined in the new credit agreement, occurs or would result from such declaration. The following will be an event of default under the credit agreement:

 

  failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due;

 

  failure of any of our representations and warranties to be materially correct;

 

  failure to observe any covenant included in the credit agreement beyond specified cure periods in specified cases;

 

  the occurrence of a default under other indebtedness of the partnership, our general partner, our operating company or any of our other subsidiaries;

 

  the occurrence of specified bankruptcy or insolvency events involving the partnership, our operating company, our general partner or our other subsidiaries;

 

  a change of control; or

 

  the entry of judgments against the partnership, our general partner, our operating company or any of our other subsidiaries in excess of certain allowances.

 

Change of control is defined in the credit agreement as the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  any two of our chairman, chief executive officer or chief financial officer on the date of the credit agreement cease to hold such positions unless approved by the lenders under the credit agreement;

 

  any person or group that did not hold any equity interests in the general partner or the partnership on the date of the credit agreement acquires 20% or more of the equity interests in the partnership or the general partner;

 

  the general partner ceases to be our sole general partner;

 

  the partnership ceases to own 100% of the operating company; or

 

  the operating company ceases to own 100% of the other borrowers.

 

The credit agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain, on a rolling four-quarter basis:

 

  a ratio of consolidated cash flow, as defined in the credit agreement, to consolidated interest expense of not less than 3.5 to 1.0 for the four most recent quarters;

 

  a ratio of total funded debt on the last day of each quarter to consolidated cash flow of not more than 3.5 to 1.0 for the four most recent quarters; and

 

  consolidated cash flow of at least $21.0 million. Our minimum consolidated cash flow will be increased by 80% of any consolidated cash flow acquired in an acquisition.

 

The credit agreement and note purchase agreement were amended in November 2004 to amend the leverage ratio to be less restrictive for a limited period of time.

 

For purposes of determining our compliance with the covenants described above, total funded debt includes all indebtedness for borrowed money (except that if we reduce borrowings under our revolving credit facility that are designated for the purpose of funding a regularly scheduled quarterly distribution to unitholders to not more than $5.0 million for a period of at least 30 consecutive days at least once during each consecutive 12-month period prior to the maturity of the revolving credit facility, then the amount of outstanding revolving loans to be included in total funded debt will be an amount not to exceed $5.0 million), purchase money indebtedness, obligations under letters of credit, capitalized leases, if any, and the deferred purchase price of any property or services. Consolidated cash flow is based on our adjusted EBITDA and is defined in the credit agreement as net income plus, among other things:

 

  interest expense;

 

  taxes;

 

  depreciation and amortization;

 

  non-cash cost of land and crypts;

 

  extraordinary losses;

 

  other non-cash items;

 

  increase (decrease) in deferred cemetery revenues, net (excluding deferred margin);

 

  increase (decrease) in accounts receivable;

 

  increase (decrease) in merchandise liability; and

 

  increase (decrease) in merchandise trust (excluding any change in trust income receivable).

 

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Consolidated cash flow is adjusted to exclude, among other things, extraordinary gains, gains from sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business and non-cash items.

 

The credit agreement limits the ability of the partnership, our general partner, our operating company and any of our other subsidiaries, among other things, to:

 

  enter into a new line of business;

 

  enter into any agreement of merger or acquisition;

 

  sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;

 

  grant certain liens;

 

  incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

  make certain loans, advances and investments;

 

  declare and pay dividends and distributions;

 

  enter into certain leases;

 

  enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

  make voluntary payments or modifications of indebtedness.

 

Senior Secured Notes. Concurrent with the closing of our initial public offering, StoneMor Operating LLC and its existing subsidiaries issued and sold $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes. The net proceeds of the senior secured notes were used to repay a portion of our then existing indebtedness.

 

The senior secured notes rank pari passu with all of our other senior secured debt, including the revolving credit facility and the acquisition facility, subject to the description of the collateral securing the senior secured notes described below. The senior secured notes are guaranteed by the partnership, our general partner and any future subsidiaries of our operating company. Obligations under the senior secured notes are secured by a first priority lien and security interest covering substantially all of the assets of the issuers, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, other than specified receivable rights, excluding trust accounts and certain proceeds required by law to be placed in such trust accounts and funds held in trust accounts, our general partner’s general partner interest in the Partnership and our general partner’s incentive distribution rights under our partnership agreement, and a second priority lien and security interest covering those specified receivable rights, each as described above, of the issuers and the guarantors, whether then owned or thereafter acquired.

 

The senior secured notes mature on September 20, 2009 and bear interest at a rate of 7.66% per annum. Interest on the senior secured notes is payable quarterly, commencing on December 20, 2004. There will be no principal amortization prior to the final maturity of the senior secured notes.

 

The senior secured notes are redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole or in part at a make-whole premium. The make-whole premium is calculated on the basis of a discount rate equal to the yield on the U.S. treasury notes having a constant maturity comparable to the remaining term of the senior secured notes, plus 100 basis points. The senior secured notes are not subject to any sinking fund provisions.

 

The senior secured notes limit the ability of the partnership, our general partner, our operating company and any of our other subsidiaries, among other things, to:

 

  enter into a new line of business;

 

  enter into any agreement of merger or acquisition;

 

  sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;

 

  grant certain liens;

 

  incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

  make certain loans, advances and investments;

 

  declare and pay dividends and distributions;

 

  enter into certain leases;

 

  enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

  make voluntary payments or modifications of indebtedness.

 

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The note purchase agreement also contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain, on a rolling four-quarter basis:

 

  a ratio of consolidated cash flow, as defined in the note purchase agreement, to consolidated interest expense of not less than 3.5 to 1.0 for the four most recent quarters;

 

  a ratio of total funded debt on the last day of each quarter to consolidated cash flow of not more than 3.5 to 1.0 for the four most recent quarters; and

 

  consolidated cash flow of at least $21.0 million. Our minimum consolidated cash flow will be increased by 80% of any consolidated cash flow acquired in an acquisition.

 

For purposes of determining our compliance with the covenants described above, total funded debt and consolidated cash flow are defined in the note purchase agreement in the same manner as they are defined in our new credit agreement.

 

Each of the following is an event of default under the note purchase agreement:

 

  failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due;

 

  failure of any of our representations and warranties to be materially correct;

 

  failure to observe any covenant included in the note purchase agreement beyond specified cure periods in specified cases;

 

  the occurrence of a default under other indebtedness of the partnership, our general partner, our operating company or any of our other subsidiaries;

 

  the occurrence of specified bankruptcy or insolvency events involving the partnership, our operating company, our general partner or our other subsidiaries;

 

  a change of control; or

 

  the entry of judgments against the partnership, our general partner, our operating company or any of our other subsidiaries in excess of certain allowances.

 

Change of control is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  any two of our chairman, chief executive officer or chief financial officer on the closing date of the senior secured notes offering cease to hold such positions unless approved by the requisite noteholders;

 

  any person or group that did not hold any equity interests in the general partner or the partnership on the closing date of the senior secured notes offering acquires 20% or more of the equity interests in the partnership or the general partner;

 

  the general partner ceases to be our sole general partner;

 

  the partnership ceases to own 100% of the operating company; or

 

  the operating company ceases to own 100% of the other borrowers.

 

The initial offering of the senior secured notes was not registered under the Securities Act, and the senior secured notes may not be resold absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The holders of the senior secured notes do not have registration rights. The senior secured notes are not listed or quoted on any national securities exchange or association.

 

Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement. In connection with the closing of the new credit facility and the private placement of the senior secured notes, our general partner, the partnership, our operating company, our other subsidiaries, the lenders under the new credit facility, the holders of the senior secured notes and Fleet National Bank, as collateral agent, entered into an intercreditor and collateral agency agreement setting forth the rights and obligations of the parties to the agreement as they relate to the collateral securing the new credit facility and the senior secured notes.

 

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The following table summarizes total maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures, including for the construction of mausoleums and for acquisitions, for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Maintenance capital expenditures

   $ 274    $ 129    $ 1,279    $ 789

Expansion capital expenditures

     420      878      2,810      1,959
    

  

  

  

Total capital expenditures

   $ 694    $ 1,007    $ 4,089    $ 2,748
    

  

  

  

 

In future periods, costs to construct mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts may be considered to be a combination of maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures depending on the purposes for construction. Our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee, will have the discretion to determine how to allocate a capital expenditure for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt between maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures. In addition, maintenance capital expenditures for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt will not be subtracted from operating surplus in the quarter incurred but rather will be subtracted from operating surplus ratably during the estimated number of years it will take to sell all of the available spaces in the mausoleum or lawn crypt. Estimated life will be determined by our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee.

 

Seasonality. The death care business is relatively stable and predictable. Although we experience seasonal increases in deaths due to extreme weather conditions and winter flu, these increases have not historically had any significant impact on our results of operations. In addition, we perform fewer initial openings and closings in the winter when the ground is frozen.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

The information presented below should be read in conjunction with the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under “Item I – Financial Statements.”

 

The market risk inherent in our market risk sensitive instruments and positions is the potential change arising from increases or decreases in interest rates and the prices of marketable equity securities, as discussed below. Our exposure to market risk includes forward-looking statements and represents an estimate of possible changes in fair value or future earnings that would occur assuming hypothetical future movements in interest rates or equity markets. Our views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not represent the maximum possible gains and losses that may occur, since actual gains and losses will differ from those estimated, based on actual fluctuations in interest rates, equity markets and the timing of transactions. We classify our market risk sensitive instruments and positions as “other than trading.”

 

Interest-bearing Investments . Our fixed-income securities subject to market risk consist primarily of investments in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts. As of September 30, 2004, fixed-income securities represented 65.7% of the funds held in merchandise trusts and 74.1% of the funds held in perpetual care trusts. The aggregate quoted market value of these fixed-income securities was $77.2 million and $92.4 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2004. Each 1% change in interest rates on these fixed-income securities would result in changes of approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million in the fair market values of the securities held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, based on discounted expected future cash flows. If these securities are held to maturity, no change in fair market value will be realized.

 

Our money market and other short-term investments subject to market risk consist primarily of investments held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts. As of September 30, 2004, these investments accounted for approximately 9.0% and 4.6% of the funds held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively. The fair market value of these investments was $10.6 million and $5.8 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2004. Each 1% change in average interest rates applicable to these investments would result in changes of approximately $106,000 and $58,000, respectively, in the aggregate fair market values of the perpetual care investments and the merchandise trust investments.

 

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Table of Contents

Marketable Equity Securities . Our marketable equity securities subject to market risk consist primarily of investments held in merchandise trusts and in the case of perpetual care trusts, investments in real estate investment trusts, or REITs. As of September 30, 2004, marketable equity securities represented 25.3% of funds held in merchandise trusts and 21.3% of funds held in perpetual care trusts. The aggregate fair market value of these marketable equity securities was $29.8 million and $26.5 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2004, based on final quoted sales prices. Each 10% change in the average market prices of the equity securities would result in a change of approximately $3.0 million and $2.7 million in the fair market value of securities held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively.

 

Investment Strategies and Objectives . Our internal investment strategies and objectives for funds held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts are specified in an Investment Policy Statement which requires us to do the following:

 

  State in a written document our expectations, objectives, tolerances for risk and guidelines in the investment of our assets;

 

  Set forth a disciplined and consistent structure for managing all trust assets. This structure is based on a long-term asset allocation strategy, which is diversified across asset classes, investment styles and strategies. We believe this structure is likely to meet our stated objectives within our tolerances for risk and variability. This structure also includes ranges around the target allocations allowing for adjustments when appropriate to reduce risk or enhance returns. It further includes guidelines for the selection of investment managers and vehicles through which to implement the investment strategy;

 

  Provide specific guidelines for each investment manager. These guidelines control the level of overall risk and liquidity assumed in their portfolio;

 

  Appoint third-party investment advisors to oversee the specific investment managers and advise our Trust and Compliance Committee; and

 

  Establish criteria to monitor, evaluate and compare the performance results achieved by the overall trust portfolios and by our investment managers. This allows us to compare the performance results of the trusts to our objectives and other benchmarks, including our peers, on a regular basis.

 

Our investment guidelines are based on relatively long investment horizons, which vary with the type of trust. Because of this, interim fluctuations should be viewed with appropriate perspective. The strategic asset allocation of the trust portfolios is also based on this longer-term perspective. However, in developing our investment policy, we have taken into account the potential negative impact on our operations and financial performance of significant short-term declines in market value.

 

We recognize the challenges we face in achieving our investment objectives in light of the uncertainties and complexities of contemporary investment markets. Furthermore, we recognize that, in order to achieve the stated long-term objectives, we may have short-term declines in market value. Given the need to maintain consistent values in the portfolio, we have attempted to develop a strategy which is likely to maximize returns and earnings without experiencing overall declines in value in excess of 3% over any 12-month period.

 

In order to consistently achieve the stated return objectives within our tolerance for risk, we use a strategy of allocating appropriate portions of our portfolio to a variety of asset classes with attractive risk and return characteristics, and low to moderate correlations of returns. See the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a breakdown of the assets held in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts by asset class.

 

Debt Instruments . Our new credit facility bears interest at a floating rate, based on LIBOR, which is adjusted quarterly. This credit facility will subject us to increases in interest expense resulting from movements in interest rates. We have no indebtedness outstanding under our new credit facility.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company periodically reviews the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. The Company makes modifications to improve the design and effectiveness of its

 

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Table of Contents

disclosure controls and internal control structure, and may take other corrective action, if its reviews identify a need for such modifications or actions.

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures or its internal controls and procedures for financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgements in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.

 

Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports that are filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis as provided in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There have been no changes during the quarter in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Part II – Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

We and certain of our subsidiaries may from time to time be parties to legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

We carry insurance that we believe to be adequate. Although there can be no assurance that such insurance is sufficient to protect us against all contingencies, management believes that our insurance protection is reasonable in view of the nature and scope of our operations.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On April 2, 2004, in connection with the formation of our partnership, StoneMor Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”) issued a 98% limited partner interest in the Partnership to Cornerstone Family Services LLC for $980 in an offering exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On April 9, 2004, the Partnership filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114354) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC in connection with the initial public offering by the Partnership of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. The SEC declared the Registration Statement effective on September 14, 2004.

 

On September 20, 2004, the Partnership issued an aggregate of 564,782 common units and 4,239,782 subordinated units to CFSI LLC in an offering exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

 

There have been no other sales of unregistered equity securities by the Partnership within the past three years.

 

The closing date of our initial public offering was September 20, 2004 and on that date the Partnership sold 3,675,000 common units to the public at a price of $20.50 per common unit, or $75.3 million. On September 23, 2004, the Partnership sold an additional 551,250 common units at a price of $20.50 per common unit, or $11.3 million, to the underwriters in connection with the exercise of their over-allotment options and redeemed an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC at a cost of $5.3 million, making the total of 4,239,782 common units outstanding. As a result, CFSI LLC, which is the parent of our general partner was deemed to be a selling unitholder. The gross proceeds from these sales of common units were $86.6 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering costs. The net proceeds to the Partnership, after deducting underwriting discounts of $5.8 million but before paying offering costs, from these sales of common units was $80.8 million. The managing underwriting of our initial public offering was Lehman Brothers Inc. In addition, concurrent with the closing of our initial public offering, StoneMor Operating LLC and its subsidiaries issued and sold $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes in a private placement. We used the net proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of senior secured notes to repay $135.1 million of outstanding debt and to pay $14.6 million of fees and expenses related to the initial public offering and sale of senior secured notes. We reserved the remaining net proceeds for general partnership purposes, including the construction of mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts and the purchase of equipment needed to install burial vaults. We used one-half of the $10.5 million of net proceeds from the sale of 551,250 common units to the underwriters upon exercise of their over-allotment option to redeem an equal number of common units from CFSI LLC and reserved one-half of the net proceeds from that sale of common units for general partnership purposes.

 

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Table of Contents

A summary of the proceeds received and use of proceeds is as follows (in thousands).

 

Proceeds received:

      

Sale of 4,226,250 common units at $20.50 per unit

   $ 86,638

Issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total proceeds received

   $ 166,638

Use of proceeds from sale of common units

      

Underwriting discount

   $ 5,849

Professional fees and other offering costs

     7,432

Repayment of debt and accrued interest

     56,361

Redemption of 551,250 units from CFSI LLC

     5,255

Reserve for general partner purposes

     11,741
    

Total use of proceeds from the sale of common units

   $ 86,638

Use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

      

Private placement fee

   $ 1,076

Other debt issuance costs

     215

Repayment of debt

     78,709
    

Total use of proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes

     80,000
    

Total use of proceeds

   $ 166,638
    

 

The following table provides information about purchases by the Partnership of its common units during the quarter ended September 30, 2004:

 

     Total Number
of Units
Purchased (1)


   Average
Price Paid
per Unit


   Total Number of Units
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs


   Maximum Number of
unites that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs


Period

                     

09/01/04-09/30/04

   551,250    $ 9.53    N/A    N/A

08/01/04-08/31/04

   N/A      N/A    N/A    N/A

07/01/04-07/30/04

   N/A      N/A    N/A    N/A
    
  

  
  

Total:

   551,250    $ 9.53    N/A    N/A

 

(1) In connection with the initial public offering of the Partnership’s common units, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 551,250 common units from the Partnership (the “Over-Allotment Purchase”) which closed on September 23, 2004. One-half of the net proceeds from the Over-Allotment Purchase were used to redeem 551,250 common units from CFSI LLC, the parent of our general partner.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following documents are filed or, if so indicated below, furnished as exhibits to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  3.1      Certificate of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2004 (Exhibit 3.1)).
  3.2      First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P., dated as of September 20, 2004
  4.1      Note Purchase Agreement by and among StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor Operating LLC, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereof and SFT I, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.1      Credit Agreement by and among StoneMor Operating LLC, StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., various additional borrowers, various lending institutions and Fleet National Bank, dated September 20, 2004.
10.2      Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, by and among StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor GP LLC, CFSI LLC, StoneMor Operating LLC, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.3      StoneMor Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan
10.4      Omnibus Agreement by and among McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P., McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV Associates, L.P., MDC Management Company IV, LLC, Delta Fund LLC, Cornerstone Family Services LLC, CFSI LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Operating LLC, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.5      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Lawrence Miller, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.6      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and William R. Shane, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.7      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Michael L. Stache, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.8      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Robert Stache, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.9      Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Lawrence Miller, Robert B. Hellman, Jr., Fenton R. Talbott, Jeffery A. Zawadsky, Martin R. Lautman, William R. Shane, Allen R. Freedman, effective September 20, 2004
10.10    Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement by and among StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor Operating LLC, various subsidiaries, various lenders and noteholders and Fleet National Bank, dated September 20, 2004
31.1      Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
31.2      Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of William R. Shane, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
32.1      Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (furnished herewith)
32.2      Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of William R. Shane, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (furnished herewith)

 

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Table of Contents

 

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

        STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.
         

By: StoneMor GP LLC

       

its general partner

November 15, 2004

     

/s/ Lawrence Miller

         

Lawrence Miller

        Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)

November 15, 2004

     

/s/ William R. Shane

       

William R. Shane

        Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  3.1      Certificate of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2004 (Exhibit 3.1)).
  3.2      First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P., dated as of September 20, 2004
  4.1      Note Purchase Agreement by and among StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor Operating LLC, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereof and SFT I, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.1      Credit Agreement by and among StoneMor Operating LLC, StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., various additional borrowers, various lending institutions and Fleet National Bank, dated September 20, 2004.
10.2      Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, by and among StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor GP LLC, CFSI LLC, StoneMor Operating LLC, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.3      StoneMor Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan
10.4      Omnibus Agreement by and among McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P., McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV Associates, L.P., MDC Management Company IV, LLC, Delta Fund LLC, Cornerstone Family Services LLC, CFSI LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Operating LLC, dated as of September 20, 2004
10.5      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Lawrence Miller, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.6      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and William R. Shane, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.7      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Michael L. Stache, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.8      Employment Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Robert Stache, effective as of September 20, 2004
10.9      Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between StoneMor GP LLC and Lawrence Miller, Robert B. Hellman, Jr., Fenton R. Talbott, Jeffery A. Zawadsky, Martin R. Lautman, William R. Shane, Allen R. Freedman, effective September 20, 2004
10.10    Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement by and among StoneMor GP LLC, StoneMor Partners L.P., StoneMor Operating LLC, various subsidiaries, various lenders and noteholders and Fleet National Bank, dated September 20, 2004
31.1      Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
31.2      Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of William R. Shane, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
32.1      Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (furnished herewith)
32.2      Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of William R. Shane, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (furnished herewith)

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

Execution Copy

 

F IRST A MENDED AND R ESTATED

 

A GREEMENT OF L IMITED P ARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

S TONEMOR P ARTNERS L.P.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1

  

Definitions

   1

Section 1.2

  

Construction

   21
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1

  

Formation

   21

Section 2.2

  

Name

   21

Section 2.3

  

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

   21

Section 2.4

  

Purpose and Business

   22

Section 2.5

  

Powers

   22

Section 2.6

  

Power of Attorney

   22

Section 2.7

  

Term

   24

Section 2.8

  

Title to Partnership Assets

   24
ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1

  

Limitation of Liability

   24

Section 3.2

  

Management of Business

   24

Section 3.3

  

Outside Activities of the Limited Partners

   25

Section 3.4

  

Rights of Limited Partners

   25

ARTICLE IV CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP

INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1

  

Certificates

   26

Section 4.2

  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

   26

Section 4.3

  

Record Holders

   27

Section 4.4

  

Transfer Generally

   28

Section 4.5

  

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

   28

Section 4.6

  

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

   29

Section 4.7

  

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

   30

Section 4.8

  

Restrictions on Transfers

   30

Section 4.9

  

Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees

   31

Section 4.10  

  

Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees

   32

ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE

OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1

  

Organizational Contributions

   33

Section 5.2

  

Contributions by the General Partner and CFSI LLC.

   33

Section 5.3

  

Contributions by Initial Limited Partners

   34

Section 5.4

  

Interest and Withdrawal

   35

Section 5.5

  

Capital Accounts

   35

Section 5.6

  

Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities

   38

Section 5.7

  

Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities

   39

Section 5.8

  

Conversion of Subordinated Units

   42

 

i


Section 5.9

  

Limited Preemptive Right

   44

Section 5.10

  

Splits and Combinations

   44

Section 5.11

  

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

   45
ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1

  

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

   45

Section 6.2

  

Allocations for Tax Purposes

   53

Section 6.3

  

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

   55

Section 6.4

  

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

   56

Section 6.5

  

Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus

   58

Section 6.6

  

Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

   58

Section 6.7

  

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units

   59

Section 6.8

  

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights

   60

Section 6.9

  

Entity-Level Taxation

   60
ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1

  

Management

   60

Section 7.2

  

Certificate of Limited Partnership

   62

Section 7.3

  

Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority

   63

Section 7.4

  

Reimbursement of the General Partner

   63

Section 7.5

  

Outside Activities

   64

Section 7.6

  

Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members

   66

Section 7.7

  

Indemnification

   66

Section 7.8

  

Liability of Indemnitees

   68

Section 7.9

  

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties

   69

Section 7.10

  

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

   70

Section 7.11

  

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities

   71

Section 7.12

  

Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates

   71

Section 7.13  

  

Reliance by Third Parties

   73
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1

  

Records and Accounting

   74

Section 8.2

  

Fiscal Year

   74

Section 8.3

  

Reports

   74
ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1

  

Tax Returns and Information

   74

Section 9.2

  

Tax Elections

   75

Section 9.3

  

Tax Controversies

   75

Section 9.4

  

Withholding

   75

 

ii


ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1

  

Admission of Initial Limited Partners

   76

Section 10.2

  

Admission of Substituted Limited Partners

   76

Section 10.3

  

Admission of Successor General Partner

   76

Section 10.4

  

Admission of Additional Limited Partners

   77

Section 10.5

  

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

   77
ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1

  

Withdrawal of the General Partner

   77

Section 11.2

  

Removal of the General Partner

   79

Section 11.3

  

Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner

   80

Section 11.4

  

Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages

   81

Section 11.5

  

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

   81
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1

  

Dissolution

   81

Section 12.2

  

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

   82

Section 12.3

  

Liquidator

   83

Section 12.4

  

Liquidation

   83

Section 12.5

  

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

   84

Section 12.6

  

Return of Contributions

   84

Section 12.7

  

Waiver of Partition

   84

Section 12.8

  

Capital Account Restoration

   84

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT;

MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1

  

Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

   85

Section 13.2

  

Amendment Procedures

   86

Section 13.3

  

Amendment Requirements

   86

Section 13.4

  

Special Meetings

   87

Section 13.5

  

Notice of a Meeting

   88

Section 13.6

  

Record Date

   88

Section 13.7

  

Adjournment

   88

Section 13.8

  

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes

   88

Section 13.9

  

Quorum and Voting

   89

Section 13.10

  

Conduct of a Meeting

   89

Section 13.11

  

Action Without a Meeting

   89

Section 13.12

  

Right to Vote and Related Matters

   90
ARTICLE XIV MERGER

Section 14.1

  

Authority

   91

Section 14.2

  

Procedure for Merger or Consolidation

   91

Section 14.3

  

Approval by Limited Partners of, Merger or Consolidation

   92

Section 14.4

  

Certificate of Merger

   93

Section 14.5

  

Effect of Merger

   93

 

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ARTICLE XV RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1

  

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

   93
ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1

  

Addresses and Notices

   95

Section 16.2

  

Further Action

   96

Section 16.3

  

Binding Effect

   96

Section 16.4

  

Integration

   96

Section 16.5

  

Creditors

   96

Section 16.6

  

Waiver

   96

Section 16.7

  

Counterparts

   96

Section 16.8

  

Applicable Law

   96

Section 16.9

  

Invalidity of Provisions

   97

Section 16.10

  

Consent of Partners

   97

 

iv


FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED

PARTNERSHIP OF STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

 

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P., dated as of September 20, 2004, is entered into by and between StoneMor GP LLC, as the General Partner, and Cornerstone Family Services LLC, as the Organizational Limited Partner, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Definitions .

 

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

Acquisition ” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.

 

Accretion Test ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.7(d).

 

Additional Book Basis ” means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:

 

(i) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.

 

(ii) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (ii) to such Book-Down Event).

 


Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “Excess Additional Book Basis”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.

 

Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.4 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.

 

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit, a Subordinated Unit or an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.

 

Adjusted Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period, Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period (a) less (i) any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings with respect to such period, but only to the extent that outstanding Working Capital Borrowings exceed $5.0 million as a result of such net increase, (ii) any net decrease in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period, (iii) the amount, if any, by which the aggregate principal amount withdrawn from merchandise trusts during such period exceeds the aggregate amount deposited into merchandise trusts with respect to such period, and (b) plus (i) any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings with respect to such period, but only to the extent that such decrease would reduce outstanding Working Capital Borrowings to an amount not less than $5.0 million, (ii) any net increase in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such

 

2


period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium, and (iii) the amount, if any, by which the aggregate amount deposited into merchandise trusts with respect to such period exceeds the aggregate principal amount withdrawn from merchandise trusts with respect to such period; provided, however , that the limitations on the effect of net increases and net decreases in Working Capital Borrowings set forth in the second subclause of each of clauses (a)(i) and (b)(i) above shall be inoperative and of no further effect with respect to any period ending after September 30, 2006. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of the definition of Operating Surplus.

 

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.

 

Agreed Allocation ” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including, without limitation, a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

 

Agreed Value ” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

 

Agreement ” means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Assignee ” means a Non-citizen Assignee or a Person to whom one or more Limited Partner Interests have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement and who has executed and delivered a Transfer Application as required by this Agreement, but who has not been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner.

 

Associate ” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of

 

3


such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

 

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

 

(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) all additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less

 

(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided , however , that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Available Cash ” shall not include cash and other investments held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts and “ Available Cash ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss included in the determination of Net Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).

 

Book-Down Event ” means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

Book-Tax Disparity ” means, with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5

 

4


and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.

 

Book-Up Event ” means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

Business Day ” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

Capital Account ” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The “ Capital Account ” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit, a Subordinated Unit, an Incentive Distribution Right or any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.

 

Capital Contribution ” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership.

 

Capital Improvement ” means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, mausoleum crypts, lawn crypts, funeral homes and related assets), in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase the operating capacity of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.

 

Capital Surplus ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).

 

Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ and Assignees’ Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

 

Cause ” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

Certificate ” means a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the

 

5


Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

CFSI LLC ” means CFSI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, formerly known as Cornerstone Family Services Inc.

 

Citizenship Certification ” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which an Assignee or a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.

 

Claim ” (as used in Section 7.12(c)) has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).

 

Closing Date ” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Closing Price ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

 

Combined Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).

 

Commenced Commercial Service ” and “ Commencement of Commercial Service ” shall mean the date a Capital Improvement is first put into service following completion of construction and testing.

 

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Unit ” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not refer to a Subordinated Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the

 

6


sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).

 

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors who are not (a) security holders, officers or employees of the General Partner, (b) officers, directors or employees of any Affiliate of the General Partner or (c) holders of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units and who also meet the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed.

 

Contributed Property ” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

 

Contribution Agreement ” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2004, among CFSI LLC, the General Partner, the Partnership and the Operating Company, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.

 

Cornerstone Family Services LLC ” means Cornerstone Family Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum resulting from adding together the Common Unit Arrearage as to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section 6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).

 

Curative Allocation ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).

 

Current Market Price ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del. C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

Departing Partner ” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.

 

Depositary ” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.

 

7


Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

 

Eligible Citizen ” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner or Assignee does not or would not subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.

 

Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.

 

Event of Withdrawal ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).

 

Final Subordinated Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x).

 

First Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).

 

First Target Distribution ” means $0.5125 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2004, it means the product of $0.5125 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.9.

 

Fully Diluted Basis ” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes, in addition to the Outstanding Units, all Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership (a) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (c) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (d) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided, however , that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8, such Partnership Securities, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided , further , that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (i) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (ii) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.

 

8


General Partner ” means StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Partnership.

 

General Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), which may be evidenced by Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Group ” means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons) or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Securities.

 

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

 

Group Member Agreement ” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Holder ” as used in Section 7.12 has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).

 

Incentive Distribution Right ” means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the General Partner in connection with the transfer of all of its membership interests in the Operating Company to the Partnership pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, which Partnership Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Incentive Distributions ” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v).

 

Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).

 

9


Indemnitee ” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services; and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Initial Common Units ” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.

 

Initial Limited Partners ” means the General Partner (with respect to the Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2) and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.

 

Initial Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.

 

Initial Unit Price ” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.

 

Interim Capital Transactions ” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option); and (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, (ii) sales or other dispositions of excess cemetery property in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.0 million in any four-Quarter period, and (iii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; provided , however , that, from time to time following the first anniversary of this Agreement, the General Partner, with the approval and consent of the Conflicts Committee, may increase the amount in clause (c)(ii) above by such amounts as it may determine in connection with Acquisitions or Capital Improvements.

 

Issue Price ” means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.

 

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Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each Substituted Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Departing Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3 or (b) solely for purposes of Articles V, VI, VII and IX, each Assignee; provided , however , that when the term “Limited Partner” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Limited Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner or Assignee is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner or Assignee to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , that when the term “Limited Partner Interest” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Liquidation Date ” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

 

Liquidator ” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

 

McCown De Leeuw ” means, collectively, McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P., a California limited partnership, McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV Associates, L.P., a California limited partnership, Delta Fund LLC, a California limited liability company, and MDC Management Company IV, LLC, Inc., a California limited liability company.

 

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.

 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution ” means $0.4625 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2004, it means the product of $0.4625 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.9.

 

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute, or the Nasdaq National Market or any successor thereto.

 

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Net Agreed Value ” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner or Assignee by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner or Assignee upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code.

 

Net Income ” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.

 

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.

 

Net Positive Adjustments ” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.

 

Net Termination Gain ” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

Net Termination Loss ” means, for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

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Non-citizen Assignee ” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined does not constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become the Substituted Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.9.

 

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

Notice of Election to Purchase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).

 

Omnibus Agreement ” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among McCown De Leeuw, CFSI LLC, the Partnership, the General Partner and the Operating Company.

 

Operating Company ” means StoneMor Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successors thereto.

 

Operating Company Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Operating Company, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Operating Expenditures ” means all Partnership Group expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments, capital expenditures and deposits into merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, subject to the following:

 

(a) payments (including prepayments) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and

 

(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) capital expenditures made for Acquisitions or for Capital Improvements, (ii) payment of transaction expenses relating to Interim Capital Transactions or (iii) distributions to Partners. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Acquisitions or for Capital Improvements and in part for other purposes, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee, shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each and, with respect to the part of such capital expenditures made for other purposes, the period over which the capital expenditures made for other purposes will be deducted as an Operating Expenditure in calculating Operating Surplus.

 

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Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

 

(a) the sum of (i) $5.0 million, (ii) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand as of the close of business on the Closing Date, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, including, without limitation, withdrawals from merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5) and (iv) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, less

 

(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided , however , that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.

 

Option Closing Date ” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

Organizational Limited Partner ” means Cornerstone Family Services LLC, in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided , however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Common Units so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Common Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement); provided , further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply (i) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates, (ii) to any Person or Group who

 

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acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the board of directors of the General Partner.

 

Over-Allotment Option ” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Parity Units ” means Common Units and all other Units of any other class or series that have the right (i) to receive distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus pursuant to each of subclauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of Section 6.4 in the same order of priority with respect to the participation of Common Units in such distributions or (ii) to participate in allocations of Net Termination Gain pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) in the same order of priority with the Common Units, in each case regardless of whether the amounts or value so distributed or allocated on each Parity Unit equals the amount or value so distributed or allocated on each Common Unit. Units whose participation in such (i) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus and (ii) allocations of Net Termination Gain are subordinate in order of priority to such distributions and allocations on Common Units shall not constitute Parity Units even if such Units are convertible under certain circumstances into Common Units or Parity Units.

 

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

 

Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

 

Partnership ” means StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.

 

Partnership Group ” means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, treated as a single consolidated entity.

 

Partnership Interest ” means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.

 

Partnership Minimum Gain ” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).

 

Partnership Security ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the

 

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Partnership), including without limitation, Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

Percentage Interest ” means, as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner, the amount of its aggregate Capital Contributions to the Partnership divided by the aggregate Capital Contributions made to the Partnership by all Partners, (b) as to any Unitholder or Assignee holding Units, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to paragraphs (a) and (c) by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder or Assignee by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units, and (c) as to the holders of other Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.

 

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

Per Unit Capital Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.

 

Pro Rata ” means (a) when modifying Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when modifying Partners and Assignees, apportioned among all Partners and Assignees in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when modifying holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder.

 

Purchase Date ” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Units of a certain class (other than Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

 

Quarter ” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter, or, with respect to the first fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, of the Partnership.

 

Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

 

Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

 

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Record Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to other Partnership Securities, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Security is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.

 

Redeemable Interests ” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.

 

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114354) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.

 

Remaining Basket Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.7(d).

 

Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Interest for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.

 

Required Allocations ” means (a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net Termination Losses under Section 6.1(b) or 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), 6.1(d)(ii), 6.1(d)(iv), 6.1(d)(vii) or 6.1(d)(ix).

 

Residual Gain ” or “ Residual Loss ” means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

 

Restricted Business ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Omnibus Agreement.

 

Retained Converted Subordinated Unit ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(c)(ii).

 

Second Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).

 

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Second Target Distribution ” means $0.5875 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2004, it means the product of $0.5875 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.9.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

 

Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the amount that bears the same ratio to such additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

 

Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.

 

Subordinated Unit ” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” as used herein does not include a Common Unit or Parity Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit or a Parity Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit or Parity Unit until such conversion occurs.

 

Subordination Period ” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur of the following dates:

 

(a) the first day of any Quarter beginning after September 30, 2009 in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the

 

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Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis, plus the related distribution on the General Partner Interest, with respect to such periods and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages; and

 

(b) the date on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership upon the requisite vote by holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

Substituted Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2 in place of and with all the rights of a Limited Partner and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.

 

Surviving Business Entity ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).

 

Third Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(F).

 

Third Target Distribution ” means $0.7125 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2004, it means the product of $0.7125 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.9.

 

Trading Day ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

Transfer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).

 

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units; provided that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

 

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Transfer Application ” means an application and agreement for transfer of Units in the form set forth on the back of a Certificate or in a form substantially to the same effect in a separate instrument.

 

Underwriter ” means each Person named as an underwriter in the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

 

Underwriting Agreement ” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated September 14, 2004, among the Underwriters, McCown De Leeuw, the General Partner, the Partnership, and the Operating Company, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.

 

Unit ” means a Partnership Security that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) a General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

Unitholders ” means the holders of Units.

 

Unit Majority ” means, during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a class and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units voting as a class, and after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.

 

Unpaid MQD ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).

 

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).

 

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).

 

Unrecovered Capital ” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.

 

U.S. GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

 

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).

 

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Working Capital Borrowings ” means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners made pursuant to a credit facility or other arrangement to the extent all such borrowings are required to be reduced to $5.0 million or less each year (or for the year in which the Initial Offering is consummated, the 12-month period beginning on the Closing Date) for an economically meaningful period of time. Working Capital Borrowings includes any portion of the borrowings described in the immediately preceding sentence that remain outstanding after such borrowings are reduced to $5.0 million or less pursuant to the terms of the applicable credit facility or other arrangement.

 

Section 1.2 Construction .

 

Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; and (c) the term “include” or “includes” means includes, without limitation, and “including” means including, without limitation.

 

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

 

Section 2.1 Formation .

 

The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes and a Partner has no interest in specific Partnership property.

 

Section 2.2 Name .

 

The name of the Partnership shall be “StoneMor Partners L.P.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names, as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices .

 

Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such

 

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registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner shall determine. The address of the General Partner shall be 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.4 Purpose and Business .

 

The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided , however , that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation.

 

Section 2.5 Powers .

 

The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary or appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

 

Section 2.6 Power of Attorney.

 

(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:

 

(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or

 

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appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, X, XI or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and

 

(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.

 

Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15

 

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days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator may request in order to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

 

Section 2.7 Term .

 

The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

 

Section 2.8 Title to Partnership Assets .

 

Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner or Assignee, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , further , that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

 

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability .

 

The Limited Partners and the Assignees shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

 

Section 3.2 Management of Business .

 

No Limited Partner or Assignee, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any

 

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officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5 and the Omnibus Agreement, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners or Assignees, any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners or Assignees shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.

 

Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners .

 

(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

 

(i) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;

 

(ii) promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;

 

(iii) to have furnished to him a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

 

(iv) to have furnished to him a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

 

(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and that each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and

 

(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.

 

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(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners and Assignees, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).

 

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 4.1 Certificates .

 

Upon the Partnership’s issuance of Common Units or Subordinated Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. In addition, (a) upon the General Partner’s request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its interests in the Partnership and (b) upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Subordinated Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Subordinated Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided , however , that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(b), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing Subordinated Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the date on which such Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.8.

 

Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .

 

(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

 

(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

 

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(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

 

(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct, to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

 

(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.

 

If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner or Assignee shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

 

(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

 

Section 4.3 Record Holders .

 

The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner or Assignee with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person (a) shall be the Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) of record and beneficially, (b) must execute and deliver a Transfer Application and (c) shall be bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) hereunder and as, and to the extent, provided for herein.

 

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Section 4.4 Transfer Generally .

 

(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest, other than an Incentive Distribution Right, assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner or an Assignee, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

 

(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.

 

(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner.

 

Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

 

(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.9, the General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer and such Certificates are accompanied by a Transfer Application duly executed by the transferee (or the transferee’s attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing). No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.

 

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(c) Limited Partner Interests may be transferred only in the manner described in this Section 4.5. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

 

(d) Until admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.2, the Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest shall be an Assignee in respect of such Limited Partner Interest. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.

 

(e) A transferee of a Limited Partner Interest who has completed and delivered a Transfer Application shall be deemed to have (i) requested admission as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed this Agreement, (iii) represented and warranted that such transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity to enter into this Agreement, (iv) granted the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (v) given the consents and approvals and made the waivers contained in this Agreement.

 

(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Subordinated Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.

 

Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest .

 

(a) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to September 30, 2014, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with (i) the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or (ii) the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.

 

(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after September 30, 2014, the General Partner may transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the

 

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case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

 

Section 4.7 Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights .

 

Prior to September 30, 2014, a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of the Incentive Distribution Rights held by such holder without any consent of the Unitholders to (a) an Affiliate of such holder (other than an individual) or (b) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with (i) the merger or consolidation of such holder of Incentive Distribution Rights with or into such other Person or (ii) the transfer by such holder of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person. Any other transfer of the Incentive Distribution Rights prior to September 30, 2014 shall require the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). On or after September 30, 2014, the General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers .

 

(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(d) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

 

(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided , however , that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

(c) The transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(b).

 

(d) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through

 

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the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed for trading.

 

Section 4.9 Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees .

 

(a) If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that the General Partner determines would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner or Assignee, the General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Partner or Assignee be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-Citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including without limitation the General Partner) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.

 

(c) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4, but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignee’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).

 

(d) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen, a Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, and upon his admission pursuant to Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

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Section 4.10 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees .

 

(a) If at any time a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 4.9(a), or, if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner or Assignee establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner or Assignee is an Eligible Citizen or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Citizen and who furnishes a Citizenship Certification to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Limited Partner or Assignee as follows:

 

(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner or Assignee, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner or Assignee would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

 

(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 10% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

 

(iii) Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or Assignee, at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank, the Limited Partner or Assignee or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.

 

(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b) The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner or Assignee as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Citizen.

 

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(c) Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner in a Citizenship Certification delivered in connection with the Transfer Application that he is an Eligible Citizen. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

 

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions .

 

In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $20.00, for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $980.00 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, the interest of the Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed as provided in the Contribution Agreement; the initial Capital Contributions of each Partner shall thereupon be refunded; and the Organizational Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner of the Partnership. Ninety-eight percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.

 

Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and CFSI LLC .

 

(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, (i) the General Partner shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its membership interests in the Operating Company in exchange for (A) the continuation of its General Partner Interest, subject to all of the rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and (B) the Incentive Distribution Rights, and (ii) CFSI LLC shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its membership interests in the Operating Company in exchange for (A) 564,782 Common Units and (B) 4,239,782 Subordinated Units.

 

(b) The initial Capital Account of CFSI LLC with respect to the receipt of 4,239,782 Subordinated Units shall be equal $27,717,937, which amount is equal to the sum of (i)(A) the Agreed Value, as set forth in the valuation report issued by Deloitte & Touche LLP, of the member interests in the Operating Company contributed to the Partnership by CFSI LLC, (B) the transaction expenses of the Initial Offering and (C) cash reserves after the Initial Offering of $6,900,000, less the sum of (ii)(A) the Capital Account of CFSI LLC with respect to the Common Units received in exchange for the contribution of the membership interests in the Operating Company, (B) the Capital Account of the General Partner, (C) the Capital Account of the Initial Limited Partners, and (D) the outstanding indebtedness of the Partnership Group.

 

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(c) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the Common Units issued pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option and the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to CFSI LLC pursuant to Section 5.2(a)), the General Partner may make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (B) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (ii) the amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.

 

Section 5.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners .

 

(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.

 

(b) Upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit. Upon receipt by the Partnership of the Capital Contributions from the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b), the Partnership shall use 50% of the amount of such cash to redeem from CFSI LLC that number of Common Units held by CFSI LLC equal to the number of Common Units issued to the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b).

 

(c) No Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the 3,675,000 Common Units issuable pursuant to Section 5.3(a), (ii) the “Option Units,” as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement, in an aggregate number up to 551,250 issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to Section 5.3(b), (iii) the 564,782 Common Units and 4,239,782 Subordinated Units issuable to CFSI LLC pursuant to Section 5.2(a), (iv) the Incentive Distribution Rights issuable pursuant to Section 5.2(a) and (v) Common Units issuable in or to satisfy the obligations of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates under the employee benefit plans of the General Partner, the Partnership or any other Group Member.

 

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Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal .

 

No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners and Assignees agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 5.5 Capital Accounts .

 

(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including, without limitation, any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:

 

(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned by any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

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(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

 

(iv) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

 

(v) In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined (A) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment and (B) using a rate of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization derived from the same method and useful life (or, if applicable, the remaining useful life) as is applied for federal income tax purposes; provided , however , that, if the asset has a zero adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined using any method that the General Partner may adopt.

 

(vi) If the Partnership’s adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is reduced for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3) of the Code, the amount of such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof, be deemed to be an additional depreciation or cost recovery deduction in the year such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1. Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section 48(q)(2) of the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same manner to the Partners to whom such deemed deduction was allocated.

 

(c) (i) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

 

(ii) Subject to Section 6.7(c), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.8 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the

 

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General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units (“ Retained Converted Subordinated Units ”). Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or transferred converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.

 

(d) (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided , however , that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time. The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.

 

(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated to the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed

 

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distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities .

 

(a) Subject to Section 5.7, the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

 

(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.

 

(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the admission of Additional Limited Partners and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed.

 

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Section 5.7 Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities .

 

Except as otherwise specified in this Section 5.7, the issuance of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6 shall be subject to the following restrictions and limitations:

 

(a) Unless approved by the holders of a Unit Majority, during the Subordination Period, the Partnership shall not issue (and shall not issue any options, rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to) an aggregate of more than 2,119,891 additional Parity Units. In applying this limitation, there shall be excluded Common Units and other Parity Units issued (i) pursuant to Sections 5.2(a) and 5.3(a), (ii) in accordance with Sections 5.7(c), (d), (e), (f) or (g), (iii) upon conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.8, (iv) upon conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Section 11.3(b), (v) in order to satisfy the obligations of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates under the employee benefit plans of the General Partner, the Partnership or any other Group Member, (vi) upon a conversion or exchange of Parity Units issued after the date hereof into Common Units or other Parity Units; provided that the total amount of Available Cash required to pay the aggregate Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units and all Parity Units does not increase as a result of this conversion or exchange and (vii) in the event of a combination or subdivision of Common Units.

 

(b) Unless approved by the holders of a Unit Majority, during the Subordination Period the Partnership shall not issue any additional Partnership Securities (or options, rights, warrants or appreciation rights related thereto) (i) that are entitled in any Quarter to receive in respect of the Subordination Period any distribution of Available Cash from Operating Surplus before the Common Units and any Parity Units have received (or amounts have been set aside for payment of) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage for such Quarter or (ii) that are entitled to allocations in respect of the Subordination Period of Net Termination Gain before the Common Units and any Parity Units have been allocated Net Termination Gain pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).

 

(c) Without the prior approval of the Limited Partners, during the Subordination Period the Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Parity Units if such issuance occurs (i) in connection with an Acquisition or Capital Improvement or (ii) within 365 days of, and the net proceeds from such issuance are used to repay debt incurred in connection with, or to replenish cash reserves to the extent drawn down in connection with, an Acquisition or Capital Improvement, in each case where such Acquisition or Capital Improvement involves assets that, if acquired (or in the case of a Capital Improvement, put into commercial service) by the Partnership as of the date that is one year prior to the first day of the Quarter in which such Acquisition was consummated or such Capital Improvement was put into commercial service (“One Year Test Period”), would have resulted, in the General Partner’s determination, in an increase in:

 

(A) the amount of Adjusted Operating Surplus generated by the Partnership on a per-Unit basis (for all Outstanding Units) with respect to the One Year Test Period, on an estimated pro forma basis (as described below), as compared to

 

(B) the actual amount of Adjusted Operating Surplus generated by the Partnership on a per-Unit basis (for all Outstanding Units) with respect to the One Year Test Period, as adjusted as provided below.

 

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The General Partner shall determine the amount in clause (A) above using such assumptions as it believes are reasonable. There shall be excluded from the amount in clause (B) above any Operating Surplus attributable to such Acquisition or Capital Improvement (regardless of whether such Operating Surplus is positive or negative). The number of Units deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of calculating the amount in clause (B) above shall be the weighted average number of Units Outstanding during the One Year Test Period and shall exclude the Units issued or to be issued in connection with such Acquisition or Capital Improvement or within 365 days of such Acquisition or Capital Improvement where the net proceeds from such issuance are used to repay debt incurred, or to replenish cash reserves to the extent drawn down, in connection with such Acquisition or Capital Improvement. For the purposes of this Section 5.7(c), the term “debt” shall be deemed to include the indebtedness used to extend, refinance, renew, replace or defease debt originally incurred in connection with an Acquisition or Capital Improvement; provided, that, the amount of such indebtedness does not exceed the principal sum of, plus accrued interest on and any prepayment penalty with respect to, the indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced or defeased.

 

(d) Without the prior approval of the Limited Partners, during the Subordination Period the Partnership may issue, in connection with Acquisitions that have not been completed or Capital Improvements that have not Commenced Commercial Service, or both, an amount of Parity Units not to exceed the number of Parity Units then available for issuance without Unitholder approval pursuant to Section 5.7(a) (such number of Parity Units then available for issuance, the “Remaining Basket Amount”).

 

The following shall apply with respect to issuances of Parity Units pursuant to this Section 5.7(d):

 

(i) With respect to such issuance, the aggregate number of Parity Units to be issued (including Parity Units to be issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option) shall be deemed to have been issued from, and charged against, the Remaining Basket Amount; provided , however , that in considering the Parity Units to be issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option, only the number of Parity Units actually issued pursuant to such option on or prior to the expiration of such option will be deemed to have been issued from, and charged against, the Remaining Basket Amount.

 

(ii) With respect to Parity Units to be issued (including Parity Units to be issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option) in connection with an Acquisition that has not been completed:

 

(1) Such Acquisition shall have been specifically identified in the prospectus or prospectus supplement filed, or other offering document used, in connection with the offer and sale of such Parity Units as a proposed Acquisition for which the net proceeds from the sale of such Parity Units will be used if such Acquisition is completed;

 

(2) Upon completion of such Acquisition and application of the net proceeds received from the sale of such Parity Units to finance such Acquisition,

 

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the provisions of clause (i) above shall not apply and the Parity Units issued (including Parity Units issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option) in connection with such Acquisition shall not be deemed to have been issued from, and charged against, the Remaining Basket Amount; provided , however , that such Acquisition would have resulted, on an estimated pro forma basis, in an increase in the amount of Adjusted Operating Surplus per Unit (such amount shall be calculated as set forth in Section 5.7(c) and such calculation is referred to in this Section 5.7(d) as the “Accretion Test”); and

 

(3) The Accretion Test in subclause (2) of this clause (ii) shall be performed immediately following completion of such Acquisition and in accordance with Section 5.7(c).

 

(iii) With respect to Parity Units to be issued (including Parity Units to be issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option) in connection with a Capital Improvement that has not Commenced Commercial Service:

 

(1) Such Capital Improvement shall have been specifically identified in the prospectus or prospectus supplement filed, or other offering document used, in connection with the offer and sale of such Parity Units as a Capital Improvement for which the net proceeds from the sale of such Parity Units will used to finance such Capital Improvement;

 

(2) Upon such Capital Improvement having Commenced Commercial Service and provided the net proceeds from the sale of such Parity Units have been used to finance such Capital Improvement, the provisions of clause (i) above shall not apply and the Parity Units issued (including Parity Units issued upon the exercise of an underwriters’ over-allotment or other similar option) in connection with such Capital Improvement shall not be deemed to have been issued from, and charged against, the Remaining Basket Amount; provided , however , that such Capital Improvement meets the Accretion Test; and

 

(3) The Accretion Test in subclause (2) of this clause (iii) shall be performed immediately following Commencement of Commercial Service and in accordance with Section 5.7(c).

 

(e) Without the prior approval of the Limited Partners, during the Subordination Period the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities (or options, rights, warrants or appreciation rights related thereto) (i) that are not entitled in any Quarter during the Subordination Period to receive any distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus until after the Common Units and any Parity Units have received (or amounts have been set aside for payment of) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage for such Quarter and (ii) that are not entitled to allocations in respect of the Subordination Period of Net Termination Gain until after the Common Units and Parity Units have been allocated Net Termination Gain pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B), even if (A) the amount of Available Cash from Operating Surplus to which each such Partnership Security is entitled to receive after the

 

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Minimum Quarterly Distribution and any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage have been paid or set aside for payment on the Common Units exceeds the Minimum Quarterly Distribution or (B) the amount of Net Termination Gain to be allocated to such Partnership Security after Net Termination Gain has been allocated to any Common Units and Parity Units pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) exceeds the amount of such Net Termination Gain to be allocated to each Common Unit or Parity Unit.

 

(f) Without the prior approval of the Limited Partners, during the Subordination Period the Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Parity Units, if the proceeds from such issuance are used exclusively to repay indebtedness of a Group Member where the aggregate amount of distributions that would have been paid with respect to such newly issued Parity Units, plus the related distributions on the General Partner Interest in respect of the four-Quarter period ending prior to the first day of the Quarter in which the issuance is to be consummated (assuming such newly issued Parity Units had been Outstanding throughout such period and that distributions equal to the distributions that were actually paid on the Outstanding Units during the period were paid on such newly issued Parity Units) would not have exceeded the interest costs actually incurred during such period on the indebtedness that is to be repaid (or, if such indebtedness was not outstanding throughout the entire period, would have been incurred had such indebtedness been outstanding for the entire period). In the event that the Partnership is required to pay a prepayment penalty in connection with the repayment of such indebtedness, for purposes of the foregoing test, the number of Parity Units issued to repay such indebtedness shall be deemed increased by the number of Parity Units that would need to be issued to pay such penalty.

 

(g) Without the prior approval of the Limited Partners, during the Subordination Period the Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Parity Units if the net proceeds of such issuance are used to redeem an equal number of Parity Units at a price per unit equal to the net proceeds per unit, before expenses, that the Partnership receives from such issuance.

 

(h) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

 

Section 5.8 Conversion of Subordinated Units .

 

(a) A total of 25% of the Outstanding Subordinated Units will convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter ending on or after September 30, 2007, in respect of which:

 

(i) distributions under Section 6.4 in respect of all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such periods;

 

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(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis, plus the related distribution on the General Partner Interest in the Partnership, with respect to such periods; and

 

(iii) the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all of the Common Units is zero.

 

(b) An additional 25% of the Outstanding Subordinated Units will convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter ending on or after September 30, 2008, in respect of which:

 

(i) distributions under Section 6.4 in respect of all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such periods;

 

(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis, plus the related distribution on the General Partner Interest with respect to such periods; and

 

(iii) the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all of the Common Units is zero;

 

provided , however , that the conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to this Section 5.8(b) may not occur until at least one year following the end of the last four-Quarter period in respect of which conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.8(a) occurred.

 

(c) In the event that less than all of the Outstanding Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8(a) or (b) at a time when there shall be more than one holder of Subordinated Units, then, unless all of the holders of Subordinated Units shall agree to a different allocation, the Subordinated Units that are to be converted into Common Units shall be allocated among the holders of Subordinated Units pro rata based on the number of Subordinated Units held by each such holder.

 

(d) Any Subordinated Units that are not converted into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8(a) or (b) shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the second

 

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Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of the final Quarter of the Subordination Period.

 

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all the then Outstanding Subordinated Units will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis as set forth in, and pursuant to the terms of, Section 11.4.

 

(f) A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.7(b).

 

Section 5.9 Limited Preemptive Right .

 

Except as provided in this Section 5.9 and in Section 5.2, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Securities.

 

Section 5.10 Splits and Combinations .

 

(a) Subject to Sections 5.10(d), 6.6 and 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units (including the number of Subordinated Units that may convert prior to the end of the Subordination Period and the number of additional Parity Units remaining to be issued pursuant to Section 5.7 without a Unitholder vote) are proportionately adjusted.

 

(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

 

(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be

 

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necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

 

(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.7(e) and this Section 5.10(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

 

Section 5.11 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests .

 

All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.

 

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes .

 

For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.

 

(a) Net Income . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and any allocations to other Partnership Securities, Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i) First, 100% to the General Partner, in an amount equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years until the aggregate Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years;

 

(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years; and

 

(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

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(b) Net Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and any allocations to other Partnership Securities, Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i) First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Losses allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iii) for all previous taxable years; provided that the Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);

 

(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests; provided that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

 

(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

 

(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and any allocations to other Partnership Securities, all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss is allocated hereunder. All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Sections 6.4 and 6.5 have been made; provided , however , that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.

 

(i) If a Net Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner (and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased by the amount so allocated in each of the following subclauses, in the order listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next succeeding subclause):

 

(A) First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Capital Account;

 

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(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or (b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Unpaid MQD”) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;

 

(C) Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (C), until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital, determined for the taxable year (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;

 

(D) Fourth, 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(iv) and 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter defined as the “First Liquidation Target Amount”);

 

(E) Fifth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (E), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v) and 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Second Liquidation Target Amount”);

 

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(F) Sixth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (F), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(vi) and 6.4(b)(iv) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Third Liquidation Target Amount”); and

 

(G) Finally, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (G).

 

(ii) If a Net Termination Loss is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner:

 

(A) First, if such Net Termination Loss is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (A), until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

 

(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and

 

(C) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

 

(d) Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:

 

(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and

 

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the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii) Priority Allocations .

 

(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder with respect to its Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis), then (1) each Unitholder receiving such greater cash or property distribution shall be allocated gross income in an amount equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution and (bb) the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated gross income in an aggregate amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.

 

(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this paragraph 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the

 

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current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable year; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s percentage interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.

 

(iv) Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or (ii).

 

(v) Gross Income Allocations . In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

 

(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

 

(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

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(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(x) Economic Uniformity .

 

(A) To the extent Section 6.7(b) prevents a Unitholder from transferring a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.8, all or a portion of the items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period in which such transfer is sought and all necessary future taxable periods, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated to each transferring Unitholder, in the proportion to which (A) the number of Subordinated Units or Subordinated Units that have converted into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8 that such Unitholder seeks to transfer pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) bears to (B) all Subordinated Units or Subordinated Units that have converted pursuant to Section 5.8 that all Unitholders seek to transfer pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii), until the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units and the Retained Converted Subordinated Units is no longer negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).

 

(B) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period and all necessary future taxable periods, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“Final Subordinated Units”) and any Retained Converted Subordinated Units in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units and Retained Converted Subordination Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units and Retained Converted Subordination Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units and Retained Converted Subordination Units to an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units and

 

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Retained Converted Subordination Units held by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and Retained Converted Subordination Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to (or as nearly as possible to) the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

 

(xi) Curative Allocation .

 

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner reasonably determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.

 

(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

 

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(xii) Corrective Allocations . In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:

 

(A) In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof), the General Partner shall allocate additional items of gross income and gain away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights to the Unitholders and the General Partner, or additional items of deduction and loss away from the Unitholders and the General Partner to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the Unitholders or the General Partner exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items. For this purpose, the Unitholders and the General Partner shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders or the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement (e.g., Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.

 

(B) In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.

 

(C) In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).

 

Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes .

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:

 

(i) (A) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

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(ii) (A) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(iii) The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

 

(c) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including, without limitation, gross income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.2(c) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

 

(d) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnership’s common basis of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the

 

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General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(e) Any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided , however , that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

 

(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for federal income tax purposes, be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of each month; provided , however , such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided , further , that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

 

(h) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

 

Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders .

 

(a) Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on December 31, 2004, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General

 

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Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “Capital Surplus.” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.

 

(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs, other than from borrowings described in (a)(ii) of the definition of Available Cash, shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

 

(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.

 

(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

 

Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus .

 

(a) During Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.5 shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:

 

(i) First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(ii) Second, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;

 

(iii) Third, to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

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(iv) Fourth, to the General Partner and all Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(v) Fifth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(vi) Sixth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vi), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(vii) Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vii);

 

provided , however , if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(vii).

 

(b) After Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.5, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:

 

(i) First, 100% the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(iii) Third, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to

 

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all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(iv) Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

 

(v) Thereafter, (A) the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v);

 

provided , however , if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).

 

Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus .

 

Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall then be distributed to the General Partner and all Unitholders holding Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.

 

Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels .

 

(a) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution, Third Target Distribution, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities in accordance with Section 5.10. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution

 

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shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.

 

(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.9.

 

Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units .

 

(a) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided , however , that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8, the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided , however , that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b).

 

(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.8 (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).

 

(c) The Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.8 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer its converted Subordinated Units to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines by written certification of its chief financial officer or other appropriate officer, based on advice of counsel, that a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to the Subordinated Units that have converted into Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such converted Subordinated Units, including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b); provided , however , that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates.

 

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Section 6.8 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights .

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Articles III and VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii), 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.

 

Section 6.9 Entity-Level Taxation .

 

If legislation is enacted or the interpretation of existing language is modified by a governmental taxing authority so that a Group Member is treated as an association taxable as a corporation or is otherwise subject to an entity-level tax for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then the General Partner shall estimate for each Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount”) for all such income taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for such Quarter that is owed by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation shall be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.

 

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

 

Section 7.1 Management .

 

(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

 

(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into Partnership Securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;

 

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(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

 

(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3);

 

(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;

 

(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

 

(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;

 

(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

 

(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group and the Partners;

 

(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;

 

(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and

 

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otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

 

(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

 

(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);

 

(xiii) unless restricted or prohibited by Section 5.7, the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities, or the issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities;

 

(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in any Group Member; and

 

(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and the Assignees and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.

 

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership .

 

The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the

 

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General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent that the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

 

Section 7.3 Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority .

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the General Partner may not, without written approval of the specific act by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or by other written instrument executed and delivered by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests subsequent to the date of this Agreement, take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including (i) committing any act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; (ii) possessing Partnership property, or assigning any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose; (iii) admitting a Person as a Partner; (iv) amending this Agreement in any manner; or (v) transferring its interest as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

(b) Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided , however , that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, (i) consent to any amendment to Operating Company Agreement or, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.9(e), take any action permitted to be taken by a member of the Operating Company, in either case, that would adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to any other class of Partnership Interests) in any material respect or (ii) except as permitted under Sections 4.6, 11.1 and 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Partnership.

 

Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner .

 

(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.

 

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(b) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.

 

(c) Subject to Section 5.7, the General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

 

Section 7.5 Outside Activities .

 

(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership), (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group

 

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Member and (iii) except to the extent permitted in the Omnibus Agreement, shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, engage in any Restricted Business.

 

(b) McCown De Leeuw and certain of its Affiliates have entered into the Omnibus Agreement with the General Partner, the Partnership and the Operating Company, which agreement sets forth certain restrictions on the ability of McCown De Leeuw and such Affiliates to engage in Restricted Businesses.

 

(c) Except as specifically restricted by Section 7.5(a) and the Omnibus Agreement, each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member or any Partner or Assignee. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee.

 

(d) Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a), Section 7.5(b), Section 7.5(c) and the Omnibus Agreement, but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or of any Indemnitee for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) except as set forth in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner and the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the Partnership.

 

(e) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Securities acquired by them.

 

(f) The term “Affiliates” when used in Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(e) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.

 

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section 7.5.

 

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Section 7.6 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members .

 

(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided , however , that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.

 

(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).

 

(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partner’s Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.

 

Section 7.7 Indemnification .

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided , further , no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its

 

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obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.

 

(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the

 

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indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

 

(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees .

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the Assignees or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.

 

(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

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Section 7.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .

 

(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member, any Partner or any Assignee, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the board of directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or Assignee or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or Assignee or any other Limited Partner or Assignee or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the transactions effected pursuant to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 and the Contribution Agreement, as well as any other transactions or conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement, are hereby approved by all Partners.

 

(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. In order for a determination or other action to be in “good faith” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must reasonably believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to

 

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in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, “at the option of the General Partner,” or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.

 

(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner or Assignee and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee.

 

(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

 

Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner .

 

(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

 

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(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.

 

Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities .

 

The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10 and except as contemplated by Section 5.3(b), the General Partner may not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.

 

Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates .

 

(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the “Holder”) to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); and provided further , however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines that a postponement of the requested registration for up to six months would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter. In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided , however , that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in

 

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Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

 

(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

 

(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”) against any losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, assessments, damages, liabilities (joint or several), costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements), resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by the Indemnified Persons, directly or indirectly, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information

 

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furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

 

(d) The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.

 

(e) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.

 

Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties .

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

Section 8.1 Records and Accounting .

 

The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders and Assignees of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year .

 

The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

 

Section 8.3 Reports .

 

(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

 

(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

 

Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information .

 

The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends. The

 

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classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 9.2 Tax Elections .

 

(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

 

(b) The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses incurred in organizing the Partnership ratably over a sixty-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

 

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

 

Section 9.3 Tax Controversies .

 

Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.

 

Section 9.4 Withholding .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or Assignee (including, without limitation, by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

 

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ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

 

Section 10.1 Admission of Initial Limited Partners .

 

Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner and the Underwriters as described in Section 5.3 in connection with the Initial Offering, the General Partner shall admit such parties to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them.

 

Section 10.2 Admission of Substituted Limited Partners.

 

By transfer of a Limited Partner Interest in accordance with Article IV, the transferor shall be deemed to have given the transferee the right to seek admission as a Substituted Limited Partner subject to the conditions of, and in the manner permitted under, this Agreement. A transferor of a Certificate representing a Limited Partner Interest shall, however, only have the authority to convey to a purchaser or other transferee who does not execute and deliver a Transfer Application (a) the right to negotiate such Certificate to a purchaser or other transferee and (b) the right to transfer the right to request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other transferee in respect of the transferred Limited Partner Interests. Each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent acquiring such Limited Partner Interest for the account of another Person) who executes and delivers a Transfer Application shall, by virtue of such execution and delivery, be an Assignee. Such Assignee shall automatically be admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person at such time as such transfer is recorded in the books and records of the Partnership, and until so recorded, such transferee shall be an Assignee. The General Partner shall periodically, but no less frequently than on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, cause any unrecorded transfers of Limited Partner Interests with respect to which a completed and duly executed Transfer Application has been received to be recorded in the books and records of the Partnership. An Assignee shall have an interest in the Partnership equivalent to that of a Limited Partner with respect to allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions, of the Partnership. With respect to voting rights attributable to Limited Partner Interests that are held by Assignees, the General Partner shall be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect thereto and shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any matter, vote such Limited Partner Interests at the written direction of the Assignee who is the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests. If no such written direction is received, such Limited Partner Interests will not be voted. An Assignee shall have no other rights of a Limited Partner.

 

Section 10.3 Admission of Successor General Partner .

 

A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General

 

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Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided , however , that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

 

Section 10.4 Admission of Additional Limited Partners .

 

(a) A Person (other than the General Partner, an Initial Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner:

 

(i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 2.6, and

 

(ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the General Partner to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.4, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded as such in the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.

 

Section 10.5 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership .

 

To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.

 

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

 

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner .

 

(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal”);

 

(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

 

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(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;

 

(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

 

(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

 

(vi) (A) in the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.

 

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on September 30, 2014, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal

 

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income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on September 30, 2014, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.

 

Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner .

 

The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Common Units voting as a class and a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units voting as a class (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.

 

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Section 11.3 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner .

 

(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Departing Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the “Combined Interest”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the Partnership is reconstituted pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner (or, in the event of a reconstituted Partnership, prior to the effective date of the reconstitution of the Partnership), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In either event, the Departing Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

 

For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing Partner’s Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.

 

(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a),

 

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without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

 

(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the Partnership is reconstituted pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest of the Departing General Partner and the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions, to which the Departing Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.

 

Section 11.4 Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages .

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, (i) the Subordination Period will end and all Outstanding Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, (ii) all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General Partner will have the right to convert its General Partner Interest and its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or receive cash in exchange therefor.

 

Section 11.5 Withdrawal of Limited Partners .

 

No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided , however , that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 12.1 Dissolution .

 

The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a

 

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successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

 

(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3;

 

(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

 

(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

 

(d) the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership Group.

 

Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution .

 

Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those set forth in this Agreement and having as the successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

 

(i) the reconstituted Partnership shall continue unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

 

(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

 

(iii) all necessary steps shall be taken to cancel this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and to enter into and, as necessary, to file a new partnership agreement and certificate of limited partnership, and the successor General Partner may for this purpose exercise the powers of attorney granted the General Partner pursuant to Section 2.6; provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to reconstitute and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the

 

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loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership nor any other Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

 

Section 12.3 Liquidator .

 

Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the Partnership is continued under an election to reconstitute and continue the Partnership pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3(b)) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

 

Section 12.4 Liquidation .

 

The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

 

(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

 

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(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts owed to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

 

(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

 

Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership .

 

Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Partnership shall be terminated and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

 

Section 12.6 Return of Contributions .

 

The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

 

Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition .

 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration .

 

No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

 

Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner .

 

Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

 

(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

 

(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;

 

(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.10 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

 

(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are

 

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substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

 

(g) subject to the terms of Section 5.7, an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6;

 

(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

 

(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

 

(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4;

 

(k) a merger or conveyance pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or

 

(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

 

Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures .

 

Except as provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided, however , that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to propose an amendment, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.

 

Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements .

 

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless

 

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such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option, (iii) change Section 12.1(b), or (iv) change the term of the Partnership or, except as set forth in Section 12.1(b), give any Person the right to dissolve the Partnership.

 

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners or Assignees as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

 

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.

 

(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

 

Section 13.4 Special Meetings .

 

All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs

 

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of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

 

Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting .

 

Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

 

Section 13.6 Record Date .

 

For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.

 

Section 13.7 Adjournment .

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

 

Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes .

 

The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, Limited Partners representing such quorum who were present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, sign a written waiver of notice or an approval of the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All waivers and approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the 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; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

 

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Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting .

 

The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and that are present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.

 

Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting .

 

The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.

 

Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting .

 

If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the

 

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Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

 

Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters .

 

(a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

 

(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

MERGER

 

Section 14.1 Authority .

 

The Partnership may merge or consolidate with one or more corporations, limited liability companies, business trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a general partnership or limited partnership, formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) in accordance with this Article XIV.

 

Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation .

 

Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner; provided, however , that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to consent to a merger or consolidation, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

 

(a) the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

(b) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity”);

 

(c) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

 

(d) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their general or limited partner interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

 

91


(e) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

 

(f) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of the certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed no later than the time of the filing of the certificate of merger and stated therein); and

 

(g) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners of, Merger or Consolidation .

 

(a) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

 

(b) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement.

 

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner may, without Limited Partner approval, convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another

 

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limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

 

Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger .

 

Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 14.5 Effect of Merger .

 

(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

 

(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

 

(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

 

(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

 

(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

 

(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.

 

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

 

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period

 

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preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed. As used in this Agreement, (i) “Current Market Price” as of any date of any class of Limited Partner Interests means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) “Closing Price” for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq National Market) on which such Limited Partner Interests of such class are listed or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq National Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner; and (iii) “Trading Day” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of any class are listed is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

 

(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of

 

94


the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI and XII).

 

(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

 

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices .

 

Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner or Assignee at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner or Assignee at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners and Assignees. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if

 

95


received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner, Assignee or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

 

Section 16.2 Further Action .

 

The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 16.3 Binding Effect .

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

Section 16.4 Integration .

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

Section 16.5 Creditors .

 

None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

 

Section 16.6 Waiver .

 

No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 16.7 Counterparts .

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Unit, upon accepting the certificate evidencing such Unit or executing and delivering a Transfer Application as herein described, independently of the signature of any other party.

 

Section 16.8 Applicable Law .

 

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

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Section 16.9 Invalidity of Provisions .

 

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 16.10 Consent of Partners .

 

Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

 

[ Signature page follows. ]

 

97


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
STONEMOR GP LLC
By:  

/s/    Lawrence Miller

   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER:
CORNERSTONE FAMILY SERVICES LLC
By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to, the General Partner.
STONEMOR GP LLC
By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT A

to the First Amended and

Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of

StoneMor Partners L.P.

 

Certificate Evidencing Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests in

StoneMor Partners L.P.

 

No.                     

                        Common Units

 

StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the General Partner of StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that                      (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed application for transfer of the Common Units represented by this Certificate. The rights and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

 

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (a) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, as applicable, and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (b) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (c) appointed the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall be appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the Holder’s attorney to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any document, including, without limitation, the Partnership Agreement and any amendment thereto and the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any amendment thereto, necessary or appropriate for the Holder’s admission as a Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, as applicable, in the Partnership and as a party to the Partnership Agreement, (d) given the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement, (e) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement and (f) certified to the Partnership that the Holder (including, to the best of the Holder’s knowledge, any person for whom the Holder holds the Common Units) is an Eligible Citizen.

 

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

 

Dated:

     

StoneMor Partners L.P.

Countersigned and Registered by:

     

By:

 

StoneMor GP LLC, Inc., its General Partner

        By:    

as Transfer Agent and Registrar

           
           

Name:

   
By:           By:    
    Authorized Signature           Secretary

 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

Exhibit A - 1


ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM–

 

as tenants in common

  

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT–

TEN ENT –

 

as tenants by the entireties

  

                 Custodian             

(Cust)                         (Minor)

          

JT TEN –

  as joint tenants with right of
survivorship and not as tenants in common
  

under Uniform Gifts Act (State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS

in

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INVESTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

DUE TO TAX SHELTER STATUS OF

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

 

You have acquired an interest in StoneMor Partners L.P., 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007, whose taxpayer identification number is 80-0103159. The Internal Revenue Service has issued StoneMor Partners L.P the following tax shelter registration number                      . If there is no number in the blank in the preceding sentence, the number will be furnished to the Holder when it is received.

 

YOU MUST REPORT THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IF YOU CLAIM ANY DEDUCTION, LOSS, CREDIT OR OTHER TAX BENEFIT OR REPORT ANY INCOME BY REASON OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

 

You must report the registration number as well as the name and taxpayer identification number of StoneMor Partners L.P. on Internal Revenue Code Form 8271. FORM 8271 MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE RETURN ON WHICH YOU CLAIM THE DEDUCTION, LOSS, CREDIT OR OTHER TAX BENEFIT OR REPORT ANY INCOME BY REASON OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

 

If you transfer your interest in StoneMor Partners L.P to another person, you are required by the Internal Revenue Service to keep a list containing (a) that person’s name, address and taxpayer identification number, (b) the date on which you transferred the interest and (c) the name, address and tax shelter registration number of StoneMor Partners L.P. If you do not want to keep such a list, you must (1) send the information specified above to StoneMor Partners L.P, which will keep the list for this tax shelter, and (2) give a copy of this notice to the person to whom you transfer your interest. Your failure to comply with any of the above-described responsibilities could result in the imposition of a penalty under Section 6707(b) or 6708(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended, unless such failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause.

 

ISSUANCE OF A REGISTRATION NUMBER DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THIS INVESTMENT OR THE CLAIMED TAX BENEFITS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED, EXAMINED OR APPROVED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                      hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

             

(Please print or typewrite name

and address of Assignee)

     

(Please insert Social Security or other

identifying number of Assignee)

 


                     Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                      as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of StoneMor Partners L.P.

 

Date:    NOTE:    The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.
           

 

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED:

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

(Signature)

 

No assignment or transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of StoneMor Partners L.P., unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer and an Application for Transfer of Common Units (a “Transfer Application”) has been executed by a transferee either (a) on the form set forth below or (b) on a separate application that the Partnership will furnish on request without charge. A transferor of the Common Units shall have no duty to the transferee with respect to execution of the Transfer Application in order for such transferee to obtain registration of the transfer of the Common Units.

 


APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF COMMON UNITS

 

The undersigned (“Applicant”) hereby applies for transfer to the name of the Assignee of the Common Units evidenced hereby.

 

The Applicant (a) requests admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and agrees to comply with and be bound by, and hereby executes, the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”), as amended, supplemented or restated to the date hereof (the “Partnership Agreement”), (b) represents and warrants that the Applicant has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (c) appoints the General Partner of the Partnership and, if a Liquidator shall be appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the Applicant’s attorney-in-fact to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any document, including, without limitation, the Partnership Agreement and any amendment thereto and the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any amendment thereto, necessary or appropriate for the Applicant’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and as a party to the Partnership Agreement, (d) gives the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement, (e) makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement and (f) certifies to the Partnership that the Applicant (including, to the best of the Applicant’s knowledge, any person for whom the Applicant will hold the Common Units) is an Eligible Citizen. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Date:                     

 

             

Social Security or other identifying number

      Signature of Applicant

 

             

Purchase Price including commissions, if any

      Name and Address of Applicant

 

Type of Entity (check one):

 

¨         Individual

  ¨         Partnership   ¨         Corporation

¨         Trust

  ¨         Other (specify)    

 

Nationality (check one):

 

¨         U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity

¨         Foreign Corporation

¨         Non-resident Alien

 

 

 

If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.

 

Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interest-holder’s interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interest-holder).

 


Complete Either A or B:

 

A. Individual Interest-holder

 

  1. I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.

 

  2. My U.S. taxpayer identifying number (Social Security Number) is                      .

 

  3. My home address is                      .

 

B. Partnership, Corporation or Other Interest-holder

 

  1.                      (Name of Interest-Holder) is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust, or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations).

 

  2. The interest-holder’s U.S. employer identification number is                      .

 

  3. The interest-holder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is                      .

 

  4. The interest-holder’s year end for tax reporting purposes is:                      .

 

The interest-holder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the interest-holder becomes a foreign person.

 

The interest-holder understands that this certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

 

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:

 

   
Name of Interest-holder
   
Signature and Date
   
Title (if applicable)

 

NOTE: If the Applicant is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding the Common Units for the account of any other person, this application should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Applicant is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any Person for whom the Applicant will hold the Common Units shall be made to the best of the Applicant’s knowledge.

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 


 

STONEMOR GP LLC,

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.,

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, and

EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY ISSUERS

LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF

 


 

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 


 

Dated as of September 20, 2004

 

7.66% Senior Secured Notes due 2009

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

1.      THE NOTES, THE GUARANTEES AND SECURITY FOR THE NOTES

   1

1.1.

   The Notes    1

1.2.

   The Guarantees    2

1.3.

   Security for the Notes    2

2.      THE TRANSACTIONS

   2

3.      PURCHASE OF NOTES; THE CLOSING

   2

4.      CONDITIONS OF CLOSING

   3

4.1.

   Representations and Warranties    3

4.2.

   Performance; No Default    3

4.3.

   Compliance Certificates    4

4.4.

   Opinions of Counsel    4

4.5.

   Guarantees    4

4.6.

   The Transactions    4

4.7.

   Credit Agreement    5

4.8.

   Intercreditor Agreement    5

4.9.

   Solvency    5

4.10.

   Pledge Agreement    5

4.11.

   Other Security Documents    5

4.12.

   Mortgaged Properties; Mortgages    6

4.13.

   Appraisals; Insurance; Environmental Matters    6

4.14.

   Legality    6

4.15.

   Private Placement Number    7

4.16.

   Payment of Special Counsel Fees    7

4.17.

   Funding Instructions    7

4.18.

   Other Purchases    7

4.19.

   Proceedings Satisfactory    7

5.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   7

5.1.

   Company Status    7

5.2.

   Company Power and Authority    8

5.3.

   No Violation    8

5.4.

   Litigation    8

5.5.

   Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations    9

5.6.

   Governmental Approvals    9

5.7.

   Investment Company Act    9

5.8.

   Public Utility Holding Company Act    9

5.9.

   Disclosure    9

5.10.

   Financial Condition; Financial Statements    10

5.11.

   Security Interests    11

 


5.12.

   Compliance with ERISA    12

5.13.

   Capitalization    13

5.14.

   Subsidiaries    14

5.15.

   Intellectual Property, etc.    14

5.16.

   Compliance with Statutes; Agreements, etc.    14

5.17.

   Environmental Matters    14

5.18.

   Properties    15

5.19.

   Labor Relations    16

5.20.

   Tax Returns and Payments    16

5.21.

   Existing Indebtedness    16

5.22.

   Insurance    17

5.23.

   Transaction    17

5.24.

   Common Enterprise    17

5.25.

   Compliance with Cemetery Laws    18

5.26.

   Private Offering by the Company    18

5.27.

   Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.    18

6.      REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS

   19

6.1.

   Purchase for Investment    19

6.2.

   Source of Funds    19

7.      INFORMATION AS TO THE PARENT AND THE ISSUERS

   21

7.1.

   Information Covenants    21

7.2.

   Books and Records    24

7.3.

   Inspection    24

8.      PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES

   24

8.1.

   Payment at Maturity    24

8.2.

   Mandatory Prepayment From Available Proceeds    24

8.3.

   Optional Prepayments    28

8.4.

   Notice of Prepayments    28

8.5.

   Allocation of Partial Prepayments    28

8.6.

   Maturity; Surrender, etc.    29

8.7.

   Note Purchase Prohibition    29

8.8.

   Make-Whole Amount    29

9.      AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

   30

9.1.

   Insurance    30

9.2.

   Payment of Taxes    31

9.3.

   Corporate Franchises    31

9.4.

   Compliance with Statutes; etc.    31

9.5.

   Compliance with Environmental Laws    32

9.6.

   ERISA    33

9.7.

   Good Repair    34

9.8.

   End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters    34

9.9.

   Additional Security; Further Assurances    35

9.10.

   Use of Proceeds    36

 

ii


9.11.

   Ownership of Subsidiaries    36

9.12.

   Permitted Acquisitions    36

9.13.

   Maintenance of Company Separateness    37

9.14.

   Clean Down    38

9.15.

   Performance of Obligations    38

9.16.

   Margin Regulations    38

9.17.

   Maintenance of Trust Funds and Trust Accounts    38

9.18.

   Amendment to Credit Agreement Covenants    38

10.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS

   39

10.1.

   Changes in Business; etc.    39

10.2.

   Consolidation; Merger; Sale or Purchase of Assets; etc.    40

10.3.

   Liens    41

10.4.

   Indebtedness    43

10.5.

   Advances; Investments; Loans    45

10.6.

   Limitation on Dividends and Redemptions    46

10.7.

   Transactions with Affiliates    47

10.8.

   Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio    47

10.9.

   Leverage Ratio    48

10.10.

   Minimum EBITDA    48

10.11.

   Trust Funds    48

10.12.

   Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Organization Documents    48

10.13.

   Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests    49

10.14.

   Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries    50

10.15.

   Limitation on the Creation of Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures    50

10.16.

   Limitation on Fees for Intellectual Property, etc.    50

11.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT

   51

12.    REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.

   53

12.1.

   Acceleration    53

12.2.

   Other Remedies    54

12.3.

   Rescission    54

12.4.

   No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc.    54

13.    REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES

   55

13.1.

   Registration of Notes    55

13.2.

   Transfer and Exchange of Notes    55

13.3.

   Replacement of Notes    55

14.    PAYMENTS ON NOTES

   56

14.1.

   Place of Payment    56

14.2.

   Home Office Payment    56

15.    EXPENSES, ETC.

   57

15.1.

   Transaction Expenses, etc.    57

 

iii


15.2.

   Survival    57

16.    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

   58

17.    AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

   58

17.1.

   Requirements    58

17.2.

   Solicitation of Holders of Notes    58

17.3.

   Binding Effect, etc.    59

17.4.

   Notes held by Issuers, etc.    59

18.    NOTICES

   59

19.    REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS

   60

20.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

   60

21.    SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER

   61

22.    MISCELLANEOUS

   61

22.1.

   Successors and Assigns    61

22.2.

   Payments Due on Non-Business Days    61

22.3.

   Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial    62

22.4.

   Construction    62

22.5.

   Counterparts    63

22.6.

   Accounting Terms    63

22.7.

   Indemnification    63

22.8.

   Governing Law    64

22.9.

   Severability    64

23.    ISSUERS’ LIABILITY FOR PAYMENTS

   64

23.1.

   Joint and Several Liability    64

23.2.

   Rights of Contribution    65

 

Schedule A

   -    Names and Addresses of Purchasers

Schedule B

   -    Defined Terms

Schedule 4.4(c)

   -    Local Counsel

Schedule 4.13(a)

   -    Appraised Properties

Schedule 5.4

   -    Litigation

Schedule 5.12

   -    ERISA

Schedule 5.13

   -    Capitalization

Schedule 5.14

   -    Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.18

   -    Mortgaged Property

Schedule 5.21

   -    Indebtedness

Schedule 5.22

   -    Insurance

Schedule 10.3

   -    Liens

 

iv


Exhibit 1.1

   -    Form of 7.66% Senior Secured Note due 2009

Exhibit 1.2

   -    Form of Guarantee

Exhibit 1.3(a)

   -    Form of Mortgage

Exhibit 1.3(b)

   -    Security Agreement

Exhibit 1.3(c)

   -    Pledge Agreement

Exhibit 1.3(d)

   -    Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit 4.4(b)

   -    Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Credit Parties

Exhibit 4.4(c)

   -    Form of Opinion of Local Counsel

Exhibit 4.11(c)

   -    Form of Perfection Certificate

Exhibit 7.1(e)

   -    From of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit 10.4

   -    Form of Seller Subordinated Debt

 

v


 

STONEMOR GP LLC,

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.,

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, and

EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY ISSUERS

LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, PA 19007

(215) 826-2800

 

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

7.66% Senior Secured Notes due 2009

 

New York, New York

as of September 20, 2004

 

TO THE SEVERAL PURCHASERS WHOSE

    NAMES APPEAR IN THE ACCEPTANCE

    FORM AT THE END HEREOF

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, STONEMOR GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Parent ”), STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and each other Subsidiary of the Parent listed on the signature pages hereof under the heading “Subsidiary Issuers” (individually a “ Subsidiary Issuer ” and collectively the “ Subsidiary Issuers ”; and the Subsidiary Issuers and the Company individually an “ Issuer ” and collectively the “ Issuers ”) hereby agree with each of you (individually a “ Purchaser ” and collectively the “ Purchasers ”) as follows:

 

1. THE NOTES, THE GUARANTEES AND SECURITY FOR THE NOTES.

 

1.1. The Notes.

 

The Issuers have duly authorized an issue of their 7.66% Senior Secured Notes due 2009 in an aggregate principal amount of $80,000,000 (the “ Notes ”), each such note to mature, bear interest and otherwise be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1. As used herein, the term “ Notes ” shall include all notes originally issued pursuant to this Agreement and all notes delivered in substitution or exchange for any of said notes and, where applicable, shall include the singular number as well as the plural. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a “Schedule” or an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.

 


1.2. The Guarantees.

 

The obligations of the Issuers under this Agreement and the Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed by the General Partner and the Parent (of which the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary) pursuant to guarantees substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.2 (individually a “ Guarantee ” and collectively the “ Guarantees ”, which terms shall include at any time all Guarantees theretofore executed and delivered, whether on or before the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.5 or from time to time thereafter pursuant to Section 9.9).

 

1.3. Security for the Notes.

 

The Notes will be secured by the Collateral on the terms set forth in the Security Documents, including, inter alia , (a) fee mortgages, deeds of trust and assignments of leases and rents, each substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.3(a) with such changes thereto as may be recommended by local counsel referred to in Schedule 4.4(c) based on local laws or customary local practice, in favor of the Collateral Agent covering the Mortgaged Properties (collectively the “ Mortgages ”), (b) a security agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.3(b), between the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent (the “ Security Agreement ”), (c) a pledge agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.3(c), between the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent (the “ Pledge Agreement ”), and (d) one or more collateral account control agreements between the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent (and a sub-agent as appropriate), in the form provided for in the Security Agreement (collectively the “ Collateral Account Agreements ”). The respective rights of the holders of the Notes and the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement with respect to the Collateral and other matters shall be governed by a master collateral agency and intercreditor agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.3(d), among the Purchasers, such Lenders and the Collateral Agent (the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”).

 

2. THE TRANSACTIONS.

 

Prior to or on the Closing Date, (a) Cornerstone Family Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and various of their Affiliates will reorganize by forming the General Partner, the Parent, certain of the Issuers and certain other Affiliates, for the purpose of the Parent qualifying as a publicly traded limited partnership under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Form S-1, (b) the Parent will sell common units representing limited partner interests in the Parent pursuant to a bona fide underwritten sale pursuant to the Form S-1 that is declared effective by the SEC, (c) the Credit Parties will enter into the Credit Agreement Documents and have the right to incur loans thereunder and issue letters of credit, (d) the Credit Parties will enter into this Agreement and other Finance Documents and the Issuers will sell the Notes to be purchased on the Closing Date as below permitted, and (e) the Credit Parties will pay fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing (the foregoing transactions collectively herein called the “ Transactions ”).

 

3. PURCHASE OF NOTES; THE CLOSING.

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Issuers hereby agree to issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Issuers Notes in the aggregate

 

2


principal amount set forth opposite its name in Schedule A hereto at a price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

The closing of the sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased under this Agreement shall occur at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on September 20, 2004, or at such other location or on such later date as shall be mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Purchasers (the “ Closing Date ”). On the Closing Date the Issuers will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes to be purchased by it in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request prior to such closing), registered in such Purchaser’s name or the name of its nominee and dated the Closing Date against delivery by such Purchaser to the Issuers or their order of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of Wachovia Bank, N.A. (Reference: Cornerstone Family) to account number 5000000017276 (ABA No.: 053 000 219) at Wachovia Bank, N.A., 301 S. College St., Charlotte, NC 28288 (Attn: Allison DeSalvo - Syndication Loan Services). If at such closing the Issuers shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at such Purchaser’s election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

 

4. CONDITIONS OF CLOSING.

 

The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase the Notes to be purchased by it hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction on or before the Closing Date of the following conditions:

 

4.1. Representations and Warranties.

 

The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties in this Agreement and in the other Finance Documents shall (except as expressly affected by the transactions contemplated hereby) be correct when made and correct on the Closing Date.

 

4.2. Performance; No Default.

 

Each of the Credit Parties shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Documents on its or their respective parts required to be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other Documents on or prior to the Closing Date; since December 31, 2003, no Credit Party shall have consolidated with, merged into, or sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of its properties as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any Person, except as contemplated and consummated in connection with the Transactions; and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the substantially concurrent application of the proceeds thereof to repay Indebtedness as contemplated by Section 5.5), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

3


4.3. Compliance Certificates.

 

(a) Officer’s Certificates . Each Credit Party shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.6 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.

 

(b) Secretary’s Certificates . Each Credit Party shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate certifying as to the resolutions attached thereto and other proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Finance Documents to which it is party.

 

4.4. Opinions of Counsel.

 

Such Purchaser shall have received opinions of counsel, each dated the Closing Date and addressed to it, from

 

(a) Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, who are acting as the Purchasers’ special counsel in connection with this transaction, in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser,

 

(b) Blank Rome LLP, counsel for the Credit Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.4(b), and

 

(c) each firm listed on Schedule 4.4(c), substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.4(c) hereto (with appropriate variations for each state, as contemplated by said Exhibit),

 

and each such opinion shall cover such other matters incident to this transaction as such Purchaser may reasonably request. The Credit Parties hereby instruct such counsel referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above to deliver their respective opinions to the Purchasers.

 

4.5. Guarantees.

 

A Guarantee, dated on or before the Closing Date, shall have been executed and delivered by the General Partner and the Parent (the General Partner and the Parent are sometimes individually a “ Guarantor ” and collectively the “ Guarantors ”, which term shall include at any time after the date of the Closing each Subsidiary Guarantor) in the form hereinabove recited and shall be in full force and effect.

 

4.6. The Transactions.

 

The Transactions shall have been consummated in the manner described in the Offering Material, including without limitation pursuant to Documents in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser. Such Purchaser shall have received true and complete copies of the Documents and such other evidence of the consummation of the Transactions as such Purchaser shall reasonably request prior to the Closing Date.

 

4


4.7. Credit Agreement.

 

The Credit Parties shall have entered into the Credit Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, and the Issuers shall have satisfied the conditions precedent to the initial Credit Events (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Such Purchaser shall have received true and complete copies of each certificate, opinion or other writing then or theretofore delivered to any party to the Credit Agreement in respect of the satisfaction of such conditions precedent (without duplication as to conditions specifically set forth in this Section 4), and in the case of opinions of counsel or other experts not addressed to such Purchaser, an appropriate reliance letter addressed to the Purchasers.

 

4.8. Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Intercreditor Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered in the form hereinabove recited and shall be in full force and effect and such Purchaser shall have received a counterpart thereof executed by the Collateral Agent.

 

4.9. Solvency.

 

Such Purchaser shall have such evidence reasonably requested by such Purchaser of the solvency of the Credit Parties on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

 

4.10. Pledge Agreement.

 

Each of the following shall have occurred:

 

(a) the Pledge Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered in the form hereinabove recited and shall be in full force and effect;

 

(b) where applicable certificates representing the Pledge Agreement Collateral), together with undated stock or unit powers for such certificates executed in blank, shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent or its designee;

 

(c) such other certificates, instruments or documents constituting Collateral pledged thereunder shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent; and

 

(d) such Purchaser shall have received evidence that all action necessary or, in the opinion of such Purchaser, desirable to create a perfected first priority Lien on the Collateral pledged thereunder shall have been taken.

 

4.11. Other Security Documents.

 

Each of the following shall have occurred:

 

(a) the Security Agreement (and, to the extent required to be in effect at Closing pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement, the Collateral Account

 

5


Agreements) shall have been duly executed and delivered in the form hereinabove recited and shall be in full force and effect;

 

(b) the filing of proper Financing Statements shall have been duly authorized under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of such Purchaser, desirable to perfect the first priority Liens (and the second priority Lien in respect of Receivable Rights) purported to be created by such Security Documents; and

 

(c) such Purchaser shall have received from the Credit Parties a duly completed perfection certificate in the form of Exhibit 4.11(c).

 

4.12. Mortgaged Properties; Mortgages.

 

The Collateral Agent shall have received (a) a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property, in recordable form satisfactory to such Purchaser, duly executed, acknowledged and delivered by the respective Mortgagor, (b) a mortgagee title insurance policy for each Mortgaged Property issued to the Collateral Agent by an insurer satisfactory to such Purchaser and in such form and amount as are acceptable to such Purchaser, insuring that such Mortgage is a valid first priority Lien on such Mortgaged Property subject to only such exceptions to title as shall be acceptable to such Purchaser and containing such endorsements and affirmative insurance as such Purchaser may require and as are obtainable in the applicable jurisdiction, and (c) lien searches satisfactory to such Purchaser with respect to the Issuers and each Guarantor in the applicable jurisdictions.

 

4.13. Appraisals; Insurance; Environmental Matters.

 

(a) Such Purchaser shall have received satisfactory appraisals for the ten properties listed on Schedule 4.13(a).

 

(b) Such Purchaser shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required by Section 9.1 in respect of the Mortgaged Properties is in full force and effect.

 

(c) Such Purchaser shall have received satisfactory copies of “Phase I” environmental reports prepared within 60 days prior to the Closing Date in connection with the ten properties listed on Schedule 4.13(a).

 

4.14. Legality.

 

On the Closing Date the purchase of Notes by such Purchaser shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which it is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as Section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such

 

6


Purchaser, it shall have received an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying as to such matters of fact as it may reasonably specify to enable it to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.

 

4.15. Private Placement Number.

 

A private placement number shall have been obtained with respect to the Notes from Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau.

 

4.16. Payment of Special Counsel Fees.

 

Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Issuers shall have paid on or before the Closing Date the fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4(a) to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date.

 

4.17. Funding Instructions.

 

At least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date such Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company on letterhead of the Company reciting the details as specified in Section 3 of the manner of payment of the purchase price for the Notes to be purchased on the Closing Date.

 

4.18. Other Purchases.

 

The other Purchasers shall have purchased Notes in the respective principal amounts to be purchased by them under this Agreement as specified in Schedule A.

 

4.19. Proceedings Satisfactory.

 

All proceedings taken in connection with the issue of the Notes and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Documents and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents, all in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser and the Purchasers’ special counsel, as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request in connection therewith.

 

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Purchasers that:

 

5.1. Company Status.

 

Each of the Credit Parties (a) is a duly organized and validly existing Organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the Organization power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage and (c) is duly qualified and is authorized

 

7


to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified and where the failure to be so qualified (i) has had or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Parent.

 

5.2. Company Power and Authority.

 

Each of the Credit Parties has the Organization power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary Organization action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Documents to which it is a party. Each of Credit Parties has duly executed and delivered each Document to which it is a party and each such Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

5.3. No Violation.

 

Neither the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by any Credit Party with the terms and provisions thereof, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein, will (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a breach or default under any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction, judgment, ruling or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental instrumentality, (b) contravene, constitute a default under, conflict or be inconsistent with or result in any breach of, any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or (other than pursuant to the Security Documents) result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of any Credit Party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which any Credit Party is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets are bound or to which it may be subject (including, without limitation, the Existing Indebtedness Agreements) or (c) contravene or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited liability company, limited liability company agreement or equivalent organizational document, as the case may be, any Credit Party.

 

5.4. Litigation

 

Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.4 as of the Closing Date, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting, nor has any Credit Party received any notices of a claim, (a) with respect to any Document, or any portion of the Transactions, or (b) against any Credit Party (i) as to which the amount in controversy is in excess of $100,000 or (ii) that, if adversely determined, could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the purchase and sale of the Notes or the other transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Document.

 

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5.5. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

 

(a) The proceeds of the Notes shall be utilized by the Issuers to repay a portion of the Existing Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(b) No part of the proceeds of the Notes will be used, and no part of the proceeds of the Existing Credit Agreement was used, directly or indirectly to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the sale of any Note nor the use of the proceeds thereof nor the sale of the Notes will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

5.6. Governmental Approvals

 

Except as may have been obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date (and which remain in full force and effect on the Closing Date), no order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any foreign or domestic governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize or is required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery and performance of any Document (other than filings contemplated by the Security Documents) or (b) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Document.

 

5.7. Investment Company Act

 

None of the Credit Parties is, or has at any time been, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

5.8. Public Utility Holding Company Act

 

None the Credit Parties is, or has at any time been, a “holding company,” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

 

5.9. Disclosure.

 

The Issuers, through their agents, Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse First Boston, have delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum dated May 2004 (the “ Memorandum ”), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum, together with Parent’s Form S-1 filed with the SEC on April 9, 2004 (as amended prior to the Closing Date, the “ Form S-1 ” and together with the Memorandum, the “ Offering Material ”) fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Credit Parties after giving effect to the Transactions. The Offering Material, and the financial statements listed in Section 5.10, taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.

 

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All factual information (taken as a whole) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Credit Parties in writing to any Purchaser (including, without limitation, all information contained in the Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of any such Persons in writing to any Purchaser will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. It is understood that the Projections and the Pro Forma Balance Sheet and other pro forma calculations and budgets furnished or to be furnished hereunder do not constitute factual information for purposes of this Section 5.9. Since June 30, 2004, there are no facts known to any Credit Party which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Purchasers for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5.10. Financial Condition; Financial Statements

 

(a) On and as of the Closing Date, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions, and to all Indebtedness (including the Notes) incurred, and to be incurred, and Liens created, and to be created, by each Credit Party in connection therewith, with respect to (i) the Parent (on a stand-alone basis), (ii) the Company (on a stand-alone basis), (iii) the Parent and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), in each case, taking into account any rights of subrogation and contribution among the Credit Parties (x) the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of the Parent (on a stand-alone basis), the Company (on a stand-alone basis), the Parent and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) and the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will exceed its or their debts, (y) it has or they have not incurred nor intended to, nor believes or believe that it or they will, incur debts beyond its or their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature and (z) it or they will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its or their business. For purposes of this Section 5.10, “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (i) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (ii) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

 

(b) (i) The audited consolidated statements of financial condition of Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow for such date, (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Parent ended June 30, 2004, and the related consolidated statements income and cash flow for the fiscal quarter then ended, and (iii) the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, all furnished to the Purchasers prior to the Closing Date, in each case present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries at the date of such statements of financial condition and the results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered

 

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thereby (or, in the case of the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, presents a good faith estimate of the consolidated pro forma financial condition of the Parent as at the date of the preparation thereof after giving effect to the Transactions at the date thereof or for the period covered thereby), subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments. All such financial statements (other than the aforementioned Pro Forma Balance Sheet) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and practices consistently applied, except, in the case of the quarterly and monthly statements, for the omission of footnotes and ordinary end of period adjustments and accruals (all of which are of a recurring nature and none of which individually, or in the aggregate, would be material).

 

(c) After giving effect to the Transactions, since December 31, 2003, nothing has occurred that (x) has had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Except as fully reflected in the financial statements described in Sections 5.10(b) and as otherwise permitted by Section 10.4, (i) there were as of the Closing Date (and after giving effect to the sale of Notes, and transactions occurring, on such date), no liabilities or obligations with respect to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) neither the Parent nor any Issuer knows of any basis for the assertion against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any such liability or obligation which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) The Projections have been prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements referred to in Section 5.10(b), and are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of the Parent, which assumptions such management believed were reasonable on the Closing Date, it being recognized by the Purchasers that such projections of future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ from the projected results contained therein and such differences may be material.

 

5.11. Security Interests.

 

On and after the Closing Date, each of the Security Documents creates (or after the execution, delivery and recordation thereof will create), as security for the Obligations, a valid and enforceable perfected security interest in and Lien on all of the Collateral subject thereto, superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except as set forth in the next parenthetical), and subject to no other Liens (except that (i) the Security Agreement Collateral may be subject to Permitted Liens, (ii) the Pledge Agreement Collateral may be subject to the Liens described in clauses (i) and (v) of Section 10.3 and (iii) the security interest and mortgage lien created on any Mortgaged Property may be subject to Permitted Liens), in favor of the Collateral Agent. No filings or recordings are required in order to perfect the security interests created under any Security Document except for filings or recordings required in connection with any such Security Document which shall have been made on or prior to the Closing Date as

 

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contemplated by Section 4.10 through 4.12 or on or prior to the execution and delivery thereof to the extent contemplated by Sections 9.9 and 10.15.

 

5.12. Compliance with ERISA.

 

(a) Schedule 5.12 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, each Plan and each Multiemployer Plan that is a pension plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a “ Pension Plan ”) of the Parent. Each Pension Plan (and each related trust, insurance contract or fund, if any) is in, and the administration thereof has been in, material compliance with its terms and with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code; each Pension Plan (and each related trust, if any) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a determination letter or an opinion letter since January 1, 2001 from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it meets the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code; no Reportable Event has occurred that could reasonably be expected to result in any Material liability for the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate; no Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; except as set forth on Schedule 5.12 with respect to the Pension Plans set forth therein, no Pension Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability which, when added to the aggregate amount of Unfunded Current Liabilities with respect to all other Plans (after taking into account the amount of Unfunded Current Liabilities set forth on Schedule 5.12 with respect to the Pension Plans set forth thereon), exceeds $250,000; no Pension Plan which is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has an accumulated funding deficiency, within the meaning of such sections of the Code or ERISA, or has applied for or received a waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or an extension of any amortization period, within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA; all contributions required to be made with respect to a Plan and a Multiemployer Plan have been timely made; neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary of the Parent nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any Material liability (including any indirect, contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of the Code or, to the knowledge of the Parent or any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, reasonably expects to incur any such Material liability under any of the foregoing sections with respect to any Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; no condition exists which presents a Material risk to the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring a Material liability to or on account of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code; no proceedings have been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Pension Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, audit or investigation with respect to the administration, operation or the investment of assets of any Pension Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) is pending, expected or, to the knowledge of the Parent, or any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, threatened that could reasonably be expected to result in any Material liability for the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate; using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the Parent and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates would not have any Material liabilities to any Multiemployer Plan in the event of a withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan ended prior to the Closing Date; each group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) which covers or has covered employees or former employees of the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent, or

 

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any ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in compliance with the provisions of Part 6 of subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code except to the extent that such noncompliance would not result in a Material liability; each group health plan (as defined in 45 Code of Federal Regulations Section 160.103) which covers or has covered employees or former employees of the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in compliance with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, except to the extent that any such failure could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material liability; no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate exists or to the knowledge of the Parent, or any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, could reasonably be expected to arise on account of any Plan or any Multiemployer Plan; and the Parent and its Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) the obligations with respect to which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Credit Parties to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(b) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.

 

5.13. Capitalization

 

On the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the outstanding Equity Interests in the Parent shall consist of (i) the general partner interests in the Parent, (ii) the incentive distribution rights, (iii) 4,239,782 common units, (such common units, together with any subsequently issued or issuable common units of the Parent, collectively, the “ Partnership Common Units ”) and (iv) 4,239,782 subordinated units, 4,239,782 of which are issued and outstanding (the “ Partnership Subordinated Units ”). On the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, all outstanding Equity Interests in the Parent have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and free of any preemptive rights. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.13, the Parent does not have outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its units or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims for the issuance of, the Partnership Common Units. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantor have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are (except as set forth on Schedule 5.14) owned by a Credit Party free and clear of any Lien other than any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

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5.14. Subsidiaries

 

On and as of the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions, the Parent has no Subsidiaries other than the Issuers, and the Issuers have no Subsidiaries other than those other Issuers described as such on Schedule 5.14. Schedule 5.14 correctly sets forth, as of the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions, the percentage ownership (direct and indirect) of each Credit Party in each class of capital stock or other Equity Interests of each of its Subsidiaries and also identifies the direct owner thereof. All outstanding shares of Equity Interests of each Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantor have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable (in the case of corporate Issuers and Subsidiary Guarantors) and have been issued free of any preemptive rights. No Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor has outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its Equity Interests or outstanding any right to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options or warrants for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of or any calls, commitments or claims of any character relating to, its Equity Interests or any stock appreciation or similar rights. On the Closing Date, no encumbrance or restriction not permitted by Section 10.14 exists.

 

5.15. Intellectual Property, etc.

 

Each of the Credit Parties owns or has the rights to use all patents, trademarks, permits, service marks, trade names, technology copyrights, licenses, franchises and formulas, or other rights with respect to the foregoing, reasonably necessary for the conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others which, or the failure to obtain which, as the case may be, (a) has had or (b) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no product of any Credit Parity infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person, and to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, there is no material violation by any Person of any right of any Credit Party with respect to any patent, copyright, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by any Credit Party.

 

5.16. Compliance with Statutes; Agreements, etc.

 

Each of the Credit Parties is in compliance with (a) all applicable statutes, regulations, rules, administrative orders and other orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property and (b) all contracts and agreements to which it is a party, except such non-compliance as could not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.17. Environmental Matters

 

(a) Each of the Credit Parties has complied with, and on the Closing Date is in compliance with, applicable Environmental Laws and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws and no Credit Party is liable for any Material penalties, fines or forfeitures for failure to comply with any of the foregoing. There are no pending or past Environmental Claims, or, to the best knowledge of any Credit Party, any threatened

 

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Environmental Claims against any Credit Party or any Real Property owned or operated by any Credit Party. There are no facts, circumstances, conditions or occurrences on any Real Property now or formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party or on any property adjoining or in the vicinity of any such Real Property that would reasonably be expected (i) to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any such Real Property or (ii) to cause any such Real Property to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such Real Property by any Credit Party under any applicable Environmental Law. To the extent that the current or former operations of any Credit Party require such Credit Party to apply for and obtain a permit under any Environmental Law, such permit has either been granted to, or timely applied for by, the Credit Party, and such Credit Party, if such permit has not yet been granted, does not have any reason to believe that the application for such a permit will be denied or that compliance with such permit will have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated, used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, any Real Property now or formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and as may be reasonably required in connection with the operation, use and maintenance of such Real Property by a Credit Party’s business. Hazardous Materials have not at any time been Released or threatened to be Released on or from any Real Property owned or operated by any Credit Party or by any person acting for or under contract to such Credit Party, or to the knowledge of the Credit Party, by any other Person in respect of Real Property owned or operated by such Credit Party, except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws. At any Real Property formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party or by any person acting for or under contract to such Credit Party, or, to the knowledge of the Credit Party, by any other Person, there was not, during the time such Credit Party, or any Person owning or operating such Real Property for such Credit Party owned or operated such Real Property, any Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Materials onto or from such Real Property.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.17, the representations made in this Section 5.17 shall only be untrue if the aggregate effect of all conditions, failures, noncompliances, Environmental Claims, Hazardous Materials, Releases and presence of underground storage tanks, in each case of the types described above, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.18. Properties

 

All Real Property owned by any Credit Party and all material Leaseholds leased by any Credit Party, in each case as of the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions, and the nature of the interest therein, is correctly set forth in Schedule 5.18. Each Credit Party has good and marketable title to, or a validly subsisting leasehold interest in, all material properties owned or leased by it, including all Real Property reflected in Schedule 5.18 and in the financial statements (including the Pro Forma Balance Sheet) referred to in Section 5.10(b) (except such properties sold in the ordinary course of business since the dates of the respective financial statements referred to therein), free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

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5.19. Labor Relations

 

No Credit Party is engaged in any unfair labor practice that (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any of them, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any of them, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any Credit Party and (iii) no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Credit Party and no union organizing activities are taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as (x) has not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.20. Tax Returns and Payments

 

Each Credit Party has timely filed all tax returns required to be filed by it in any jurisdiction and has paid all taxes and assessments payable by it or with respect to its properties, income or franchises which have become due, except for (a) tax returns (other than Federal tax returns), the failure of which to file could not reasonably be expected to be Material and (b) taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) being contested in good faith and adequately disclosed and fully provided for on the financial statements of such Credit Party in accordance with GAAP and with respect to which such Credit Party has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. Each Credit Party has at all times paid, or has provided adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of such Credit Party) for the payment of, all taxes required to be paid by it for all prior fiscal years and for the current fiscal year to date. There is no material action, suit, proceeding, investigation, audit, or claim now pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened by any authority regarding any taxes relating to any Credit Party. No Credit Party knows of any basis for any other taxes or assessments that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Credit Party has entered into an agreement or waiver or been requested to enter into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to the payment or collection of taxes of any Credit Party, or is aware of any circumstances that would cause the taxable years or other taxable periods of any Credit Party not to be subject to the normally applicable statute of limitations. The income of the Parent, the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company that are treated as disregarded entities pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3 are not subject to federal or state income tax at the company level.

 

5.21. Existing Indebtedness.

 

Schedule 5.21 sets forth a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of the Credit Parties as of the Closing Date and which is to remain outstanding after giving effect to the Transactions (excluding the Obligations) (the “ Existing Indebtedness ), in each case showing the aggregate principal amount thereof and the name of the respective borrower and any other entity which directly or indirectly guaranteed such debt. No Credit Party is in default and no

 

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waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of such Credit Party and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of such Credit Party that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.21, no Credit Party has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.3.

 

5.22. Insurance.

 

Set forth on Schedule 5.22 hereto is a true, correct and complete summary of all insurance carried by each Credit Party on and as of the Closing Date (immediately after giving effect to the Transactions), with the amounts insured set forth therein.

 

5.23. Transaction

 

At the time of consummation thereof, each element of the Transactions shall have been consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the relevant Documents therefor and all applicable laws. At the time of consummation thereof, all consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all governmental agencies, authorities or instrumentalities required in order to make or consummate each element of the Transactions in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the relevant Documents therefor and all applicable laws have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial relief with respect thereto has been obtained). All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all such cases, any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse conditions upon the Transactions. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon any element of the Transactions, the purchase and sale of the Notes, or the performance by any Credit Party of their respective obligations under the Documents and all applicable laws.

 

5.24. Common Enterprise.

 

Each Issuer is engaged solely in a Permitted Business as of the Closing Date. These operations require financing on a basis such that the credit supplied can be made available from time to time to the Issuers, as required for the continued successful operation of the Issuers as a whole. The Issuers have requested the Purchasers to make credit available hereunder primarily for the purposes set forth in Section 5.5. The Credit Parties expect to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from a portion of the credit extended by the Purchasers hereunder, both in its separate capacity and as a member of the group of companies, since the successful operation and condition of the Credit Parties is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group as a whole. The Credit Parties acknowledge that, but for the agreement by each of the Credit Parties to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Guarantee, the Purchasers would not have made available the credit facilities established on the terms set forth herein.

 

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5.25. Compliance with Cemetery Laws.

 

Each of the Credit Parties has complied in all material respects with, and on the Closing Date is in material compliance with, all applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations, administrative orders and other orders governing the operation of cemeteries, the providing of cemetery services, and the sale of cemetery merchandise, including, but not limited to: (a) obtaining and maintaining valid registration, permits, and certificates to conduct the cemetery business from the appropriate governmental authorities; (b) employing qualified representatives, employees, and sales agents who are registered with the appropriate governmental authorities; (c) submitting all required notices, records, statements, affidavits, financial reports and other documents, in form and substance, to the appropriate governmental authorities; (d) selling cemetery merchandise and cemetery services, including making required disclosures, in accordance with applicable laws; (e) using contracts, agreements, and other documents in form, wording and substance that comply with applicable laws; (f) establishing, funding and administering trust or escrow accounts, including, but not limited to, Trust Accounts, in accordance with applicable laws; (g) appointing qualified trustees and escrow agents to manage and administer trust funds established under applicable state laws; (h) maintaining and caring for cemeteries with the standard of care required by applicable laws; (i) constructing columbaria and mausoleums in accordance with applicable laws; (j) canceling contracts for cemetery services and cemetery merchandise, including making refunds to consumers, in accordance with applicable laws; (k) owning no more than the maximum amount of land permitted for cemetery and burial use under applicable laws; and (l) establishing cemeteries in areas permitted by applicable laws. Furthermore, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened claims or suspensions against the Credit Parties by any Person, entity or governmental authority related to the operation of cemeteries, the providing of cemetery services, and the sale of cemetery merchandise.

 

5.26. Private Offering by the Company.

 

Neither the Issuers nor anyone acting on their behalf has offered the Notes or any similar securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than 110 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private sale for investment. Neither the Issuers nor anyone acting on their behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

 

5.27. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.

 

Neither the sale of the Notes by the Issuers hereunder nor any Issuer’s use of the proceeds thereof will violate (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, no Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor (a) is or will become a person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) or (b)

 

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knowingly engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or be otherwise associated, with any such person. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors are in compliance with the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA Patriot Act of 2001).

 

6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS.

 

6.1. Purchase for Investment.

 

Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes to be purchased by it for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by it or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of its or their property shall at all times be within its or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Issuers are not required to register the Notes.

 

6.2. Source of Funds.

 

Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “ Source ”) to be used by it to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:

 

(a) the Source is an “insurance company general account”, as such term is defined in Prohibited Transaction Exemption (“ PTE ”) 95-60 (issued July 12, 1995), and there is no employee benefit plan with respect to which the aggregate amount of such general account’s reserves and liabilities for the contracts held by or on behalf of such plan and all other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (and affiliates thereof as defined in section V(a)(1) of PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization (in each case determined in accordance with PTE 95-60) exceeds or will exceed 10% of the total of all reserves and liabilities of such general account (determined in accordance with PTE 95-60, exclusive of separate account liabilities, plus any applicable surplus as set forth in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Annual Statement filed in such Purchaser’s state of domicile) as of the Closing Date; or

 

(b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with its fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or

 

(c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 (issued January 29, 1990), or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 (issued July 12, 1991) and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this paragraph (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or

 

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employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or

 

(d) the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are included in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section V(e) of the QPAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Parent and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of all employee benefit plans whose assets are included in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this paragraph (d); or

 

(e) the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption”)) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section IV(h) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Parent and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this paragraph (e); or

 

(f) the Source is a governmental plan; or

 

(g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this paragraph (g); or

 

(h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

 

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “ employee benefit plan ”, “ governmental plan ” and “ separate account ” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

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7. INFORMATION AS TO THE PARENT AND THE ISSUERS.

 

7.1. Information Covenants.

 

The Parent will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

 

(a) Quarterly Financial Statements . Within 45 days after the close of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Parent, the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarterly accounting period and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such quarterly accounting period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly accounting period, all of which shall be in reasonable detail and certified by a Senior Financial Officer of the General Partner that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b) Annual Financial Statements . Within 95 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Parent, the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, in each case to the effect that such statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years, together with a certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of its regular audit of the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, no Default or Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing as a result of Sections 10.8, 10.9 or 10.10 or has come to their attention or, if such a Default or an Event of Default has come to their attention, a statement as to the nature thereof.

 

(c) Monthly Financial Statements . Within 35 days after the last day of each month (or 45 day after the last day of any month that is the end of a fiscal quarter), the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such monthly accounting period and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such monthly accounting period and accounts receivable and, to the extent requested by the Required Holders or provided to the Lenders, accounts payable agings, all of which shall be in reasonable detail and certified by the Senior Financial Officer of the General Partner that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(d) Budgets, etc. Not more than 60 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Parent, consolidated budgets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in reasonable detail for each of the four fiscal quarters of such fiscal year, in each case as prepared by management in accordance with GAAP and setting forth the principal assumptions upon which such budgets are based.

 

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(e) Compliance Certificates . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and (b), a compliance certificate of the Senior Financial Officer of the General Partner, in the form set forth as Exhibit 7.1(e) hereto, to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall, if delivered in connection with the financial statements in respect of a period ending on the last day of a fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Parent, set forth the calculations required to establish whether the Parent and its Subsidiaries were in compliance with the provisions of Sections 10.8 to 10.10, inclusive, as at the end of such fiscal quarter or year, as the case may be.

 

(f) Notice of Default or Litigation . Promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after an officer of any Credit Party obtains actual knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, which notice shall specify the nature and period of existence thereof and what action such Credit Party proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) any litigation or proceeding pending or threatened (x) against any Credit Party which (I) has had or (II) could reasonably be expected, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (y) with respect to any material Indebtedness of any Credit Party or (z) with respect to any Document, (iii) any material governmental investigation pending or threatened against any Credit Party and (iv) any other event which (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g) Management Letters . Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any “management letter” submitted to any Credit Party by its independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of such Credit Party and management’s responses thereto.

 

(h) Environmental Matters . Promptly after any officer of any Credit Party obtains actual knowledge of any of the following (but only to the extent that any of the following, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, (a) a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a cost to such Credit Party in excess of $100,000), written notice of:

 

(i) any pending or threatened Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party;

 

(ii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party that (x) results in noncompliance by any Credit Party with any applicable Environmental Law or (y) could reasonably be anticipated to form the basis of an Environmental Claim any Credit Party or any such Real Property;

 

(iii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party that could reasonably be anticipated to cause such Real Property to be subject to any restrictions on the

 

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ownership, occupancy, use or transferability by such Credit Party of its interest in such Real Property under any Environmental Law; and

 

(iv) the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party.

 

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and the Credit Party’s response or proposed response thereto. In addition, the Credit Parties agree to provide the holders of Notes with copies of such detailed reports relating to any of the matters set forth in clauses (i)-(iv) above as may reasonably be requested by the Required Holders.

 

(i) Reports . Promptly upon transmission thereof, (i) copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to, the SEC by any Credit Party, (ii) copies of all financial information, notices, press releases and reports as the Credit Parties shall send to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, (iii) copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports as such Credit Party shall send generally to analysts and the holders of any class of Equity Interests or Indebtedness in their capacity as such holders (to the extent not theretofore delivered to the holders of Notes pursuant to this Agreement) and (iv) with reasonable promptness, such other information or documents (financial or otherwise) as the Required Holders may reasonably request from time to time.

 

(j) Change in Senior Management . Promptly upon knowledge by any Credit Party of any change or intended change in the person holding any Senior Manager position.

 

(k) Investments . Monthly summaries, prepared by the Parent’s investment advisors, describing all investments of the Trust Funds.

 

(l) Material Adverse Effect . Without duplication of any other provision of this Section 7.1, notice of any event which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m) 144A Information . Promptly upon request therefor by any holder of Notes or by any prospective purchaser of Notes designated by the holder thereof, all information, statements, reports, descriptions of business, products and services, financial statements and other information as such holder or prospective purchaser, may reasonably determine to be required to be delivered in order to comply with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(n) Phase II Reports . Within 60 days after the Closing Date, the Parent shall deliver to each holder of Notes satisfactory copies of “Phase II” environmental reports prepared for any of the ten properties listed on Schedule 4.13(a) for which any Phase I environmental for such property delivered pursuant to Section 4.13(c) recommends the undertaking of a “Phase II” report.

 

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(o) Bring Down Opinion . Within 30 days of the anniversary of the Closing Date falling in 2007, the Credit Parties will cause to be delivered to the holders of Notes a “bring down” perfection opinion of Blank Rome LLP (or such other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders and their counsel.

 

(p) Other Information . From time to time, with reasonable promptness, such other data, information or documents (financial or otherwise) with respect to the Credit Parties as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of Notes.

 

7.2. Books and Records.

 

Each Credit Party keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all material requirements of law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.

 

7.3. Inspection.

 

Without limiting any additional similar requirements set forth in any Security Document, the Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit, upon reasonable prior notice to a Senior Financial Officer or other authorized officer of the Parent or the Company, officers and designated representatives of the holders of Notes, up to twice in any calendar year at the joint and several expense of the Issuers, and at any time after an Event of Default has occurred, at the joint and several expense of the Issuers, to visit and inspect any of the properties or assets of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in whomsoever’s possession, and to examine the books of account of the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Parent and of any of its Subsidiaries with, and be advised as to the same by, their officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as the holders of Notes may desire.

 

8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES.

 

8.1. Payment at Maturity.

 

The entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes shall be due and payable at the final maturity date set forth therein.

 

8.2. Mandatory Prepayment From Available Proceeds.

 

(a) The Issuers will, promptly upon the occurrence of a Prepayment Event, and in any event within five days thereafter, give written notice thereof to the holders of the Notes, which notice shall contain an irrevocable offer by the Issuers to apply to the prepayment of the Notes an amount (rounded to the nearest $1,000) equal to the Available Proceeds (as below defined), such prepayment to be made on a date (an “ Available Proceeds Prepayment Date ”) specified in such notice (which date shall be a Business Day not less than 15 days and not more than 30 days after the date of such notice), in each case at the principal amount so to be prepaid, together with accrued interest on such principal amount to the Available Proceeds Prepayment Date and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect

 

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to such principal amount. Each holder of a Note may reject such offer (in whole but not in part with respect to any Note) and shall be deemed to have accepted such offer unless such holder shall have rejected such offer by notice delivered to the Company in writing or by facsimile (or by telephone promptly confirmed in writing or by facsimile) at least five Business Days prior to the Available Proceeds Prepayment Date. If any such holder shall have rejected such prepayment offer, such holder shall not be deemed to have waived its rights under this Section 8.2 with respect to any later prepayment offer. A holder of more than one Note may accept or reject a prepayment offer under this Section 8.2 in respect of all or any one of its Notes. If any such holder rejects such prepayment offer in respect of any Note, then the Issuers shall promptly offer to all non-rejecting holders to prepay Notes on the Available Proceeds Prepayment Date in an additional principal amount (rounded to the nearest $1,000) equal to the share of such Available Proceeds attributable to the Notes in respect of which such prepayment offer has been rejected by all rejecting holders. Unless a non-rejecting holder rejects such offer within one Business Day after receiving the same, such non-rejecting holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer in respect of its pro rata share of such offer allocable among all non-rejecting holders.

 

(b) The Company will, at least one Business Day prior to an Available Proceeds Prepayment Date, give each holder of Notes a notice specifying (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Notes to be prepaid on such Available Proceeds Prepayment Date, and (ii) the principal amount, if any, of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid on such Available Proceeds Prepayment Date.

 

(c) As used in this Section 8.2:

 

Available Proceeds ” means, at any date of determination with respect to a Prepayment Event, an amount equal to the Pro Rata Share of the holders of the Notes in respect of the Net Cash Proceeds or Net Sale Proceeds, as applicable resulting from such Prepayment Event.

 

Net Cash Proceeds ” means the gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) received from such event, net, without duplication, of the related Credit Party’s (i) reasonable transaction costs (including, as applicable, any underwriting, brokerage or other customary discounts and selling commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees and expenses associated therewith) relating to such event at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such event and (ii) the estimated marginal increase in income taxes which will be payable by the Parent’s consolidated group with respect to the fiscal year in which the event occurs as a result of such event.

 

Net Sale Proceeds ” means for any Asset Sale, the gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) received from any sale of assets, net, without duplication, of the related Credit Party’s (i) reasonable transaction costs (including, without limitation, any underwriting, brokerage or other customary discounts and selling commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees and expenses, including title and recording expenses and sale and transfer taxes, associated therewith) and payments of

 

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unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale, (ii) the amount of such gross cash proceeds required to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) which is secured by the respective assets which were sold, and (iii) the estimated marginal increase in income taxes which will be payable by the Partner’s consolidated group with respect to the fiscal year in which the sale occurs as a result of such sale. Net Sale Proceeds shall not include any trade-in-credits or purchase price reductions received by the Partner or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an exchange of equipment for replacement equipment that is the functional equivalent of such exchanged equipment.

 

Prepayment Event ” means (a) any Credit Party receives Net Sale Proceeds from any Asset Sale, (b) any Credit Party receives Net Cash Proceeds from any incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.4 as in effect on the Closing Date), (c) any Credit Party receives Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of Equity Interests by the Parent (other than the cash proceeds of the issuance of Equity Interests to the extent issued in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that is completed within 180 days before or after the date of receipt of such cash proceeds), (d) any Credit Party receives Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of capital stock or other Equity Interests by, or cash capital contributions to, any Subsidiary of the Parent (other than (x) issuances of common Equity Interests to the Parent or any other Subsidiary of the Parent by the Parent or any other Subsidiary of the Parent, and (y) cash capital contributions to any Subsidiary of the Parent by the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent), and (e) any Credit Party receives any proceeds from any Recovery Event (other than proceeds from Recovery Events in an amount less than $500,000 per Recovery Event (net of reasonable costs (including, without limitation, legal costs and expenses) and taxes incurred in connection with such Recovery Event and the amount of such proceeds required to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) which is secured by the respective assets subject to such Recovery Event). Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(a) the (i) aggregate Net Sale Proceeds from Assets Sales received during any fiscal year may be retained by the Parent and its Subsidiaries without giving rise to an obligation to offer to prepay the Notes under this Section 8.2, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time such Net Sale Proceeds are received and a Responsible Officer of the Parent has delivered a certificate to the holders of Notes on or prior to such date stating that such Net Sale Proceeds shall be used to purchase capital assets used or to be used in the businesses permitted pursuant to Section 10.1 (including, without limitation (but only to the extent permitted by Section 9.12), the purchase of the Equity Interests of a Person engaged in such businesses) within 180 days following the date of receipt of such Net Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale (which certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended) and (ii) if all or any portion of such Net Sale Proceeds not required to be used to make an offer to prepay Notes under this Section 8.2 are not so used within such 180 day period, the Issuers shall make an offer to prepay the Notes under this Section 8.2 with such remaining portion on the last day of such 180 day period (or such earlier date, if any, as the Board of Directors (or equivalent) of the Parent or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, determines not to reinvest the Net Sale Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale as set forth above); and

 

(b) with respect to proceeds from a Recovery Event, so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists and such proceeds do not exceed $500,000, the Issuers shall

 

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not be required to make an offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2 on such date to the extent that a Responsible Officer of the Parent has delivered a certificate to the holders of Notes on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be used or shall be committed to be used to replace or restore any properties or assets in respect of which such proceeds were paid within 180 days following the date of such Recovery Event (which certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended), and (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists and to the extent that (a) the amount of such proceeds exceeds $500,000, and (b) a Responsible Officer of the Parent has delivered to the holders of Notes a certificate on or prior to the date an offer to prepay the Notes would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 8.2 in the form described in clause (x) above, then the entire amount of the proceeds of such Recovery Event and not just the portion in excess of $500,000 shall be deposited with the Collateral Agent pursuant to a cash collateral arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent whereby such proceeds shall be disbursed to the Parent or the respective Subsidiary from time to time as needed to pay or reimburse the Parent or the respective Subsidiary in connection with the replacement or restoration of the respective properties or assets (pursuant to such certification requirements as may be established by the Collateral Agent); provided further, that at any time while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may direct the Issuers to make an offer to prepay the Notes as would otherwise be required by Section 8.2 with the proceeds then on deposit in such collateral account; and provided further, that if all or any portion of such proceeds not required to be used to make an offer to prepay Notes under this Section 8.2 are not so used within such 180 day period, the Issuers shall make an offer to prepay the Notes under the Section 8.2 with such remaining portion on the date occurring 180 days after the date of the respective Recovery Event.

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, in relation to any amount, (a) with respect to the holders of the Notes, a share of such amount determined by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding plus any Make-Whole Amount then due, and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the Acquisition Facility Amount referred to below and the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding plus any Make-Whole Amount then due (the sum of the foregoing amounts being referred to as the “ Denominator Amount ”), (b) with respect to all the Lenders under the Acquisition Facility as a group, a share of such amount determined by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans under the Acquisition Facility (such amount being referred to as the “ Acquisition Facility Amount ”), and the denominator of which shall be the Denominator Amount. For purposes of the determination of the Pro Rata Share of the Lenders under the Acquisition Facility, a portion of the Current Swap Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) shall be deemed to be principal in the manner contemplated by the definition of “Pro Rata Basis” in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Company will furnish to the holders of the Notes, concurrently with the financial statements and other information furnished pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and (b), a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of the Company containing computations in reasonable detail showing whether any Net Cash Proceeds existed during the fiscal period covered by such

 

27


financial statements, the source of such Net Cash Proceeds and the resulting amount or amounts of Available Proceeds.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option nor the redemption by the Parent of Partnership Common Units or Partnership Subordinated Units in connection with any such exercise, in each case, as exercised within thirty days of the Closing Date and as otherwise described in the prospectus included in the Form S-1 that is declared effective with the SEC will constitute an Event of Default or trigger a requirement for a mandatory prepayment under this Section 8.2.

 

8.3. Optional Prepayments.

 

The Issuers may, at their option, upon notice as provided in Section 8.4, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part (in a principal amount not less than $2,500,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000) of the Notes, at the principal amount so to be prepaid together with accrued interest on such principal amount to the date of such prepayment and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.

 

8.4. Notice of Prepayments.

 

The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each prepayment under Section 8.2 or 8.3 not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of Notes held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.5) and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid.

 

Each such notice of prepayment pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of the Company as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation (such certificate and computation to be acceptable to the Required Holders). Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of the Company specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.

 

8.5. Allocation of Partial Prepayments.

 

In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.

 

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8.6. Maturity; Surrender, etc.

 

In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any. From and after such date, unless the Issuers shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

 

8.7. Note Purchase Prohibition.

 

The Issuers will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes. Each Issuer will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment, prepayment or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

 

8.8. Make-Whole Amount.

 

The term “ Make-Whole Amount ” means, with respect to any Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Called Principal ” means, with respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

Discounted Value ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

Reinvestment Yield ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, 1.00% (100 basis points) over the yield to maturity implied by the yields reported, as of 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Bloomberg Financial Markets Page “PX1”(or such other display as may replace Bloomberg Financial Markets Page “PX1”) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have

 

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been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. Such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond-equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and interpolating linearly between (1) the actively traded U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than the remaining life and (2) the actively traded U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than the remaining life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded upwards to the same number of decimals points as the number of decimal points set forth in the Notes for the interest rate.

 

Remaining Scheduled Payments ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 12.1.

 

Settlement Date ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

The Credit Parties jointly and severally covenant and agree that, so long as any of the Notes shall remain outstanding:

 

9.1. Insurance.

 

(a) Each Credit Party will (i) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as is consistent and in accordance with industry practice and (ii) furnish to each of the holders of Notes, from time to time upon request, full information as to the insurance carried. In addition to the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, the Parent will at all times cause insurance of the types described in Schedule 5.22 to be maintained (with the same scope of coverage as that described in Schedule 5.22) at levels which are consistent with its practices immediately before the Closing Date, or otherwise in form, scope and amount reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders. Such insurance shall include physical damage insurance on all real and personal property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) on an all risk basis and business interruption insurance. The provisions of this Section 9.1 shall be deemed supplemental to, but not duplicative of, the provisions of any Security Documents that require the maintenance of insurance.

 

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(b) Each Credit Party, at all times keep all of its property (except real or personal property leased or financed through third parties in accordance with this Agreement) insured in favor of the Collateral Agent, and all policies or certificates with respect to such insurance (and any other insurance maintained by, or on behalf of, any Credit Party) (i) shall be endorsed to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction for the benefit of the Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, by naming the Collateral Agent as certificate holder, mortgagee and loss payee with respect to real property, certificate holder and loss payee with respect to personal property, additional insured with respect to general liability and umbrella liability coverage and certificate holder with respect to workers’ compensation insurance), (ii) shall state that such insurance policies shall not be canceled or materially changed without at least 30 days prior written notice thereof by the respective insurer to the Collateral Agent and (iii) shall be delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

(c) If any Credit Party shall fail to maintain all insurance in accordance with this Section 9.1, or if any Credit Party shall fail to so name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, mortgagee or loss payee, as the case may be, or so deliver all certificates with respect thereto, the Required Holders and/or the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but shall be under no obligation), upon 5 Business Days prior written notice to the Parent, to procure such insurance, and the Credit Parties agree jointly and severally to reimburse the Required Holders or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, for all costs and expenses of procuring such insurance.

 

9.2. Payment of Taxes.

 

Each Credit Party will pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any properties belonging to it, in each case on a timely basis, and all lawful claims for material sums that have become due and payable which, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to become a Lien not otherwise permitted under Section 10.3(i); provided that no Credit Party shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained and continues to maintain adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

 

9.3. Corporate Franchises.

 

Each Credit Party will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and its material rights, franchises, authority to do business, licenses, certifications, accreditations and patents, except for rights, franchises, authority to do business, licenses, certifications, accreditations and patents the loss of which (individually and in the aggregate) (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that any transaction permitted by Section 10.2 (including, without limitation, the dissolution of any Subsidiary of the Parent permitted pursuant to said Section) will not constitute a breach of this Section 9.3.

 

9.4. Compliance with Statutes; etc.

 

Each Credit Party will comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in

 

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respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property (including without limitation laws, regulations, administrative orders and other orders referred to in Section 5.25), except for such noncompliance as (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.5. Compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

(a) (i) The Parent will comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to the ownership or use of its Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by the Credit Parties, and will promptly pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such compliance, and will keep or cause to be kept all such Real Property free and clear of any Liens imposed pursuant to such Environmental Laws and (ii) no Credit Party will generate, use, treat, store, Release, dispose of, threaten to Release, or permit the generation, use, treatment, storage, release or disposal of, Hazardous Materials on any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party, or transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous Materials to or from any such Real Property, except in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and as may be reasonably required in connection with the operation, use and maintenance of such Real Property by any Credit Party’s business, unless any failures to comply with the requirements specified in clause (i) or (ii) above, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. If any Credit Party or any tenant or occupant of any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by such Credit Party, causes or permits any intentional or unintentional act or omission resulting in the presence or Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Material (except in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws) at or from any Real Property, the Credit Party agrees, if required to do so under any final applicable directive or order of any governmental agency, to undertake, and/or to cause any of its Subsidiaries, tenants or occupants to undertake, at their sole expense, any clean up, removal, remedial or other action required pursuant to Environmental Laws to remove and clean up any Hazardous Materials from any Real Property, and, if required by any governmental agency under applicable law to restore any natural resources, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) At the written request of the Required Holders, which request shall specify in reasonable detail the basis therefor, at any time and from time to time, the Parent and the Company will provide, at their sole cost and expense, a Phase I environmental site assessment report (and any additional reports required thereby) which has been prepared, in accordance with the applicable ASTM standard, by an environmental consulting firm approved by the Required Holders, and such approval will not be unreasonably withheld, and which concerns any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party, and addresses the matters in clause (i) or (ii) below which give rise to such request (or, in the case of a request pursuant to following clause (i), addresses such matter as may be requested by the Required Holders) and estimates the range of the potential costs of any removal, remedial or other corrective or restorative action in connection with any such matter; provided that in no event shall such request be made unless (i) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) the holders of Notes receive notice under Section 7.1(h) for any event referred to in said Section which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, (a) a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a remedial cost to the Credit Parties in excess of

 

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$100,000. If any Credit Party fail to provide the same within 60 days after such request was made, the Required Holders may order the same, and the Credit Parties shall grant and hereby do grant, to the holders of Notes and their agents reasonable access to such Real Property and specifically grant such holders and their agents an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the right of tenants, to undertake such an assessment, all at the expense of the Credit Parties. In such an event, the Credit Parties shall and hereby do release the holders of Notes and their agents from any and all Environmental Claims concerning any investigation into or assessment of the Real Property which such holders may cause to be made.

 

9.6. ERISA.

 

As soon as possible and, in any event, within ten (10) Business Days after any Plan, Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following, the Parent will deliver to the holders of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of the General Partner setting forth in reasonable detail information as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Plan, such Credit Party or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices required or proposed to be given to or filed by the Plan, the Credit Party, the Plan administrator or such ERISA Affiliate to or with, the PBGC or any other governmental agency, or a Plan or Multiemployer Plan participant, and any notices received by the Parent, such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or other governmental agency or a Plan or Multiemployer Plan participant or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a Reportable Event has occurred (except to the extent that the Parent has previously delivered to the holders of Notes a certificate and notices (if any) concerning such event pursuant to the next clause hereof); that a contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA is subject to the advance reporting requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof), and an event described in subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days; that an accumulated funding deficiency, within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, has been incurred or an application may be or has been made for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA with respect to a Plan; that any contribution required to be made with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has not been timely made, except to the extent that any failure to make such contribution would not result in a Material liability; that a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has been or may be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA; that a Plan has a Material Unfunded Current Liability and, to the knowledge of the Parent or any other Credit Party, that a Multiemployer Plan has a Material Unfunded Current Liability (assuming, solely for this purpose, that the term “Unfunded Current Liability” also applies to Multiemployer Plans) not previously disclosed to the holders of Notes prior to the Closing Date; that proceedings may be or have been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer a Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; that a proceeding has been instituted pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan; that any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate will or may incur any Material liability (including any indirect, contingent, or secondary liability) to or on account of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under

 

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Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or Section 409 or 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA or with respect to a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code; or that any Credit Party may incur any Material liability pursuant to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any Plan. Each Credit Party will deliver to each of the holders of Notes copies of any records, documents or other information that must be furnished to the PBGC with respect to any Plan pursuant to Section 4010 of ERISA. Each Credit Party will also deliver to each of the holders of Notes upon request a complete copy of the annual report (on Internal Revenue Service Form 5500-series) of each Plan (including, to the extent required, the related financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements, certifications, schedules and information) required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to any certificates or notices delivered to the holders of Notes pursuant to the first sentence hereof, copies of annual reports and any records, documents or other information required to be furnished to the PBGC or any other government agency, and any material notices received by the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan or received from any government agency or plan administrator or sponsor or trustee with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, shall be delivered to the holders of Notes no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date such annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service or such records, documents and/or information has been furnished to the PBGC or any other government agency or such notice has been received by the Parent, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as applicable. If, at any time after the Closing Date, any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate maintains, or contributes to (or incurs an obligation to contribute to), a pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA which is not set forth in Schedule 5.12, as may be updated from time to time, then the Parent shall deliver to the holders of Notes an updated Schedule 5.12 as soon as possible and, in any event, within 30 days after such Credit Party or such ERISA Affiliate maintains, or contributes to (or incurs an obligation to contribute to), such pension plan. Such updated Schedule 5.12 shall supersede and replace the existing Schedule 5.12.

 

9.7. Good Repair.

 

The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, ensure that its material properties and equipment used in its business are kept in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and that from time to time there are made in such properties and equipment all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto, to the extent and in the manner consistent with past practices.

 

9.8. End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.

 

The General Partner will, for financial reporting purposes, cause (i) each Credit Party’s fiscal year to end on December 31 of each year and (ii) itself, and cause each Credit Party to maintain fiscal quarters consistent therewith and with the past practices of the any Credit Parties as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

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9.9. Additional Security; Further Assurances.

 

(a) Each Credit Party will grant to the Collateral Agent security interests and mortgages in such assets and real property of the Parent and such Subsidiaries as are not covered by the original Security Documents (subject to the applicable exceptions contained therein), and as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Required Holders (collectively, the “Additional Security Documents”) . The Additional Security Documents or instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Additional Security Documents and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith shall be paid in full.

 

(b) Each Credit Party will, at the expense of the Credit Parties, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time such schedules, confirmatory assignments, conveyances, financing statements, transfer endorsements, limited powers of attorney, certificates, real property surveys (it being understood that the Credit Parties shall be under no obligation to obtain any such survey), reports and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps relating to the Collateral covered by any of the Security Documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require in order for the Collateral Agent to fully enforce its rights under the Security Documents. Furthermore, the Parent shall cause to be delivered to the holders of Notes such opinions of counsel, title insurance and other related documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to assure them that this Section 9.9 has been complied with.

 

(c) The Parent agrees to cause each Subsidiary of the Parent established or created in accordance with Section 10.15 to execute and deliver a counterpart hereto and to the Guarantee (and/or an assumption agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Holders) whereby such Subsidiary shall become a party hereto and thereto as a Guarantor.

 

(d) The Parent will cause each Subsidiary of the Parent established or created in accordance with Section 10.15 to grant to the Collateral Agent a Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) on property (tangible and intangible) of such Subsidiary upon terms and with exceptions similar to those set forth in the Security Documents, as appropriate, and reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Required Holders. In connection with the actions required to be taken pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the respective Subsidiary shall become a party to the various existing Security Documents by executing counterparts thereof and/or assumption agreements relating thereto (together with the delivery of updated schedules) in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, or shall enter into and deliver such new Security Documents as may be requested by the Required Holders. Each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor will cause each of its Subsidiaries, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record in any appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable for the creation and perfection of the foregoing Liens. Each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor will cause each of such Subsidiaries to take all actions reasonably requested by the Required Holders (including, without limitation, the filing of UCC-1’s) in connection with the granting of such security interests.

 

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(e) At any time after the Closing Date at which any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor receives or has performed on its behalf any survey of any Mortgaged Property (it being understood that no Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall be under any obligation to obtain any such survey), such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall promptly thereafter deliver a copy of such survey to the holders of Notes.

 

(f) Each of the Credit Parties agrees that each action required above by this Section 9.9 shall be completed as soon as possible, but in no event later than 60 days after such action is either requested to be taken by the Collateral Agent or the Required Holders or required to be taken by the Parent and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Section 9.9; provided that (i) each newly acquired or created Subsidiary of the Parent shall be required to take the actions specified above concurrently (or promptly thereafter) with the creation or acquisition thereof (directly or indirectly) by a Credit Party, and (ii) in no event will any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries be required to take any action, other than using its commercially reasonable efforts, to obtain consents from third parties with respect to its compliance with this Section 9.9.

 

9.10. Use of Proceeds.

 

All proceeds of the Notes shall be used as provided in Section 5.5.

 

9.11. Ownership of Subsidiaries.

 

Except as reflected on Schedule 5.14, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors will directly or indirectly own 100% of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

9.12. Permitted Acquisitions.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.12 and the requirements contained in the definition of Permitted Acquisition, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries may from time to time effect Permitted Acquisitions, so long as (in each case except to the extent the Required Holders otherwise specifically agree in writing in the case of a specific Permitted Acquisition): (i) no Default or Event of Default shall be in existence at the time of the consummation of the proposed Permitted Acquisition or immediately after giving effect thereto; (ii) the Company shall have given the holders of Notes prior written notice of the proposed Permitted Acquisition in accordance with the definition thereof; (iii) calculations are made by the Company of (x) compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (taken as one accounting period) most recently ended prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition (each, a “Calculation Period” ), on a Pro Forma Basis as if the respective Permitted Acquisition (as well as all other Permitted Acquisitions theretofore consummated after the first day of such Calculation Period) had occurred on the first day of such Calculation Period, and such recalculations shall show that such financial covenants would have been complied with if the Permitted Acquisition had occurred on the first day of such Calculation Period (for this purpose, if the first day of the respective Calculation Period occurs prior to the Closing Date, calculated as if the covenants contained in said Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 had been applicable from the first day of the Calculation Period) and (y) compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10

 

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immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the respective Permitted Acquisition (for this purpose, using the same ratio which will be required to be met on the last day of the first fiscal quarter ended on or after the date upon which the respective Permitted Acquisition is consummated), and the Parent shall be in compliance therewith; (iv) after giving effect to the updating of schedules to reflect transactions related to Permitted Acquisitions, all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Finance Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Permitted Acquisition (both before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and (v) the Parent shall have delivered to the holders of Notes on the date of the consummation of such proposed Permitted Acquisition (or earlier if such Officer’s Certificate has been delivered to the Lenders), an Officer’s Certificate of the General Partner, certifying to the best of his/her knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, and containing the calculations required by the preceding clause (iii) (such calculations to be approved by the Required Holders).

 

(b) At the time of each Permitted Acquisition involving the creation or acquisition of a Subsidiary, or the acquisition of capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person, all capital stock or other Equity Interests thereof created or acquired in connection with such Permitted Acquisition shall be pledged for the benefit of the holders of Notes pursuant to, and to the extent required by, the Pledge Agreement in accordance with the requirements of Section 10.15.

 

(c) Each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall cause each of its Subsidiaries which is formed to effect, or is acquired pursuant to, a Permitted Acquisition to comply with, and to execute and deliver, all of the documentation required by, Sections 9.9 and 10.15, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Required Holders.

 

(d) The consummation of each Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by each Credit Party that the certifications by a Credit Party (or by one or more of its respective Responsible Officers on its behalf) pursuant to Section 9.12(a), are true and correct and that all conditions thereto have been satisfied and that same is permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which representation and warranty shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty for all purposes hereunder, including, without limitation, Sections 4 and 11.

 

9.13. Maintenance of Company Separateness.

 

The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, satisfy customary Organization formalities, including, as applicable, the holding of regular board of directors’ and shareholders’ meetings or action by directors or shareholders without a meeting and the maintenance of Organizational offices and records. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which could reasonably be expected to result in the Organizational existence of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries being ignored, or in the assets and liabilities of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries being substantively consolidated with those of any other such Person in a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency

 

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proceeding (it being understood and agreed that the entering into of the Finance Documents and the Credit Agreement Documents by the Parent and its Subsidiaries, and the performance of their respective obligations thereunder, shall not in and of itself be taken into account for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing covenant).

 

9.14. Clean Down.

 

The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors will repay all Interim Borrowing (as defined in the Credit Agreement) so that, for a period of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days during each consecutive twelve (12) month period prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Interim Borrowings will be equal to or less than $5,000,000.

 

9.15. Performance of Obligations.

 

The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform all of its obligations under the terms of each mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, loan agreement or credit agreement and each other material agreement, contract or instrument by which it is bound, except such non-performances as (x) have not caused and (y) could not reasonably be expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Default or Event of Default hereunder or a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.16. Margin Regulations.

 

No Credit Party will hold any Margin Stock. Each Credit Party will comply with all of the requirements of Regulations T, U and X.

 

9.17. Maintenance of Trust Funds and Trust Accounts.

 

Each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall set aside in the appropriate Trust Account, all applicable Trust Funds at the time such funds are received by such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, and each Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall establish and maintain all of the funding obligations of each of the Trust Accounts in accordance with applicable law.

 

9.18. Amendment to Credit Agreement Covenants.

 

If the Credit Parties shall at any time after the Closing Date amend or modify the Credit Agreement in a manner that requires any Credit Party to make a mandatory prepayment, comply with a covenant or add an event of default, or change any related definition, that either is not at such time included in this Agreement or, if such mandatory prepayment provision, covenant or event of default shall already be included in this Agreement, is more restrictive upon such Credit Party than such existing mandatory prepayment, covenant or event of default, each such mandatory prepayment, covenant and each event of default, definition and other provision relating to such mandatory prepayment provision, covenant or event of default in such Credit Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time thereafter) shall be automatically deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Agreement, mutatis mutandis , as if then set forth herein in full. Promptly after any such amendment or modification, the Credit Parties will (i) furnish to

 

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each holder of Notes a copy of each such mandatory prepayment, covenant and each event of default, definition and other provisions related thereto and (ii) execute and deliver to each holder of a Note an instrument, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, modifying this Agreement by adding or modifying, as the case may be, the full text of such mandatory prepayment provision, covenant and the events of default, definitions and other related provisions.

 

10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

The Credit Parties jointly and severally covenant and agree that, so long as any of the Notes shall remain outstanding:

 

10.1. Changes in Business; etc.

 

No Credit Party will engage in any business other than the Permitted Business.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(a) the General Partner will not itself: (A) engage in a Permitted Business; (B) own any significant assets (other than (I) its general partnership Equity Interest in the Parent, (II) any intercompany loan permitted to be made by it pursuant to Section 10.5(v), (III) cash to be loaned, dividended, contributed and/or otherwise promptly applied for purposes not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement and (IV) other assets used or held in connection with the performance of activities permitted to be conducted by the General Partner); or (C) have any liabilities (other than those liabilities for which it is responsible under this Agreement, the Documents to which it is a party, the GP Agreement, and any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the General Partner pursuant to Section 10.4); provided however, the conduct of business restriction contained in clause (A) above shall not prohibit (or be construed to prohibit) the General Partner or its employees from conducting the activities contemplated to be conducted by the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement or the GP Agreement, and other administrative, management or ordinary course “holding company” activities necessary or desirable in connection with the operation of the Permitted Business through the General Partner, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Issuers (including, without limitation, intercompany management functions and the provision of umbrella insurance policies); and

 

(b) the Parent will not itself: (A) engage in a Permitted Business; (B) own any significant assets (other than (I) the Equity Interests in the Company, (II) any intercompany loan permitted to be made by it pursuant to Section 10.5(v), (III) cash to be loaned, dividended, contributed and/or otherwise promptly applied for purposes not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, and (IV) other assets used or held in connection with the performance of activities permitted to be conducted by the Parent); or (C) have any liabilities (other than those liabilities for which it is responsible under this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Documents to which it is a party, any intercompany loan permitted to be incurred by it pursuant to Section 10.5(v) and any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Parent pursuant to Section 10.4); provided however, the conduct of business restriction contained in clause (A) above shall

 

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not prohibit (or be construed to prohibit) the Parent from conducting administrative and other ordinary course “holding company” activities necessary or desirable in connection with the operation of the Permitted Business through the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Issuers.

 

10.2. Consolidation; Merger; Sale or Purchase of Assets; etc.

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property or assets (other than Cemetery Property in the ordinary course of business), or enter into any partnerships, joint ventures or sale-leaseback transactions, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) any part of the property or assets (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment in the ordinary course of business) of any Person or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time, except that the following shall be permitted:

 

(i) the Credit Parties may, as lessee or licensee, enter into operating leases and licenses in the ordinary course of business with respect to real or personal property;

 

(ii) Capital Expenditures to the extent not in violation of this Agreement;

 

(iii) Investments permitted pursuant to Section 10.5;

 

(iv) the Credit Parties may, in the ordinary course of business, sell or otherwise dispose of tangible assets which, in the reasonable opinion of such Person, are obsolete, uneconomic or worn-out;

 

(v) any Credit Party may sell tangible assets, so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (B) each such sale is in an arm’s-length transaction and such Credit Party receives at least fair market value (as determined in good faith by such Credit Party), (C) the total consideration received by such Credit Party is paid at the time of the closing of such sale in cash, and (D) the Net Sale Proceeds therefrom are applied and/or reinvested as (and to the extent) required by Section 8.2;

 

(vi) any Credit Party may sell or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not as part of any financing transaction;

 

(vii) any Credit Party may grant licenses, leases or subleases to third Persons in the ordinary course of business not materially interfering with the conduct of the business of such Credit Party;

 

(viii) any Credit Party may transfer assets to any other Credit Party, so long as the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the

 

40


holders of the Notes pursuant to the Security Documents in the assets so transferred which shall remain in full force and effect and perfected (to at least the same extent as in effect immediately prior to such transfer);

 

(ix) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may merge with and into, may convert into or be dissolved or liquidated into any other Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, so long as (A) the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of Notes pursuant to the Security Documents in the assets of such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain in full force and effect and perfected (to at least the same extent as in effect immediately prior to such merger, conversion, dissolution or liquidation) and (B) such merger, conversion, dissolution or liquidation does not violate the terms of the Partnership Agreement or otherwise result in negative tax consequences for the Parent;

 

(x) any Credit Party may sell or exchange specific items of equipment, so long as the purpose of each such sale or exchange is to acquire (and results within 90 days of such sale or exchange in the acquisition of) replacement items of equipment which are the functional equivalent of the item of equipment so sold or exchanged;

 

(xi) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall be permitted to make Permitted Acquisitions, so long as such Permitted Acquisitions are effected in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.12;

 

(xii) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor shall be permitted to make sales, transfers or other dispositions of real property made in the ordinary course of business, while no Default or Event of Default exists, to the extent the aggregate value of such real property disposed of in any fiscal year by all Issuers and Subsidiary Guarantors is not in excess of $3,000,000;

 

(xiii) the General Partner may sell, transfer or dispose of Equity Interests in the Parent as required by the terms of the Partnership Agreement or any employee benefit plan of a Credit Party; and

 

(xiv) the Transactions shall be permitted.

 

To the extent the Required Holders waive the provisions of this Section 10.2 with respect to the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold or otherwise disposed of as permitted by this Section 10.2, such Collateral (unless transferred to a Credit Party) shall be sold or otherwise disposed of free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents and the holders of the Notes shall take such actions (including, without limitation, directing the Collateral Agent to take such actions) as are appropriate in connection therewith.

 

10.3. Liens.

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets of any kind (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of such Credit Party, whether now owned or hereafter

 

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acquired, or sell any such property or assets subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property or assets (including any sales of accounts receivable or notes with or without recourse to any Credit Party) or assign any right to receive income, except for the following (collectively, the “ Permitted Liens ”):

 

(i) inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

 

(ii) Liens in respect of property or assets of a Credit Party imposed by law which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and which have not arisen to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, statutory landlord’s Liens, and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, and which either (x) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of such Credit Party or (y) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or asset subject to such Lien;

 

(iii) Liens created by or pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(iv) Liens in existence on the Closing Date which are listed, and the property subject thereto described, in Schedule 10.3, plus any extensions or renewals of such Liens, provided that (x) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness, if any, secured by such Liens does not increase from that amount outstanding at the time of any such renewal, replacement or extension and (y) any such renewal, replacement or extension does not encumber any additional assets or properties of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(v) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11(i); provided that no cash or other property shall be pledged by any Credit Party as security therefor;

 

(vi) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (x) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business of any Credit Party in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, (y) to secure the performance by any Credit Party of tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay and customs bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or (z) to secure the performance by any Credit Party of leases of Real Property, to the extent incurred or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

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(vii) licenses, leases or subleases granted to third Persons in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of any Credit Party;

 

(viii) Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(ix) Liens arising from or related to precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases entered into by any Credit Party;

 

(x) Liens created pursuant to Capital Leases permitted pursuant to Section 10.4(iv); provided that (x) such Liens only serve to secure the payment of Indebtedness arising under such Capitalized Lease Obligation and (y) the Lien encumbering the asset giving rise to the Capitalized Lease Obligation does not encumber any other asset of any Credit Party;

 

(xi) Liens arising pursuant to purchase money mortgages or security interests securing Indebtedness representing the purchase price (or financing of the purchase price within 30 days after the respective purchase) of assets acquired after the Closing Date by any Credit Party; provided that (i) any such Liens attach only to the assets so purchased, (ii) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien does not exceed the lesser of the fair market value or the purchase price of the property being purchased at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.4(iv);

 

(xii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

(xiii) bankers liens and rights of setoff with respect to customary depository arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xiv) any Lien or other restriction on the use of property (including cash) deposited in any Trust Fund, to the extent imposed by law or by the terms of the agreement governing such Trust Fund.

 

10.4. Indebtedness.

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(i) (x) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Finance Documents and (y) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement Documents in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $37,500,000 at any time divided between an Acquisition Facility not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time and a Revolving Credit Facility not to exceed $12,500,000 at any time (in each case as

 

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from time to time reduced by principal repayments thereof, other than repayments of revolving loans which may by their terms be reborrowed);

 

(ii) Existing Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 5.21, without giving effect to any subsequent extension, renewal or refinancing thereof except to the extent expressly permitted by Schedule 5.21;

 

(iii) Indebtedness under Swap Contracts entered into to protect any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement;

 

(iv) Capitalized Lease Obligations and Indebtedness of any Credit Party representing purchase money Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(x) or 10.3(xi); provided that (i) all such Capitalized Lease Obligations are permitted under this Agreement and (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate of such Capitalized Lease Obligations outstanding at any time plus (y) the aggregate principal amount of such purchase money Indebtedness outstanding at such time shall not exceed $5,000,000;

 

(v) Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries constituting intercompany loans permitted by Section 10.5(v);

 

(vi) Indebtedness to a seller of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor or assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (or Indebtedness assumed at the time of a Permitted Acquisition of an asset securing such Indebtedness); provided that (i) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders and substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit 10.4 hereto, and (ii) at the time of such Permitted Acquisition, such Indebtedness does not exceed 25% of the total value of the assets of the Subsidiary so acquired, or of the assets so acquired, as the case may be (such Indebtedness described above in this Section 10.4(vi) being “ Subordinated Seller Debt ”);

 

(vii) Contingent Obligations of the Credit Parties related to each other’s Indebtedness to the extent that such Indebtedness is otherwise permitted under this Section 10.4;

 

(viii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within three Business Days of the incurrence thereof;

 

(ix) Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor evidenced by completion guarantees, performance bonds and surety bonds incurred in the ordinary course of business for purposes of insuring the performance of such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

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(x) Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor arising from agreements of such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn out or other similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Company permitted under this Agreement, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness (other than indemnification provisions) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, in connection with such disposition.

 

10.5. Advances; Investments; Loans

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, lend money or extend credit or make advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any Person, or purchase or own a futures contract or otherwise become liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract (each of the foregoing an “ Investment ” and, collectively, “ Investments ”), except:

 

(i) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may acquire and hold receivables owing to it, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms of such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(ii) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may acquire and own investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may enter into Swap Contracts in compliance with Section 10.4(iii);

 

(iv) Investments in existence on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 5.21 shall be permitted, without giving effect to any additions thereto or replacements thereof;

 

(v) (x) the Parent may make intercompany loans and advances to any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, (y) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may make intercompany loans and advances to any other Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, and (z) the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may make intercompany loans and advances to the Parent for the purpose of making payments permitted pursuant to Section 10.6 and to the Parent or the General Partner for the purpose of paying ordinary business expenses;

 

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(vi) loans and advances by any Credit Party to officers and employees of such Credit Party, as the case may be, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount for all Credit Parties not to exceed $500,000 at any time (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall be permitted;

 

(vii) the Parent, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may make cash equity contributions to their respective Subsidiaries;

 

(viii) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may make Permitted Acquisitions in accordance with the relevant requirements of Section 9.12 and the component definitions therein;

 

(ix) the Credit Parties may own the Equity Interests of their respective Subsidiaries in existence on the Closing Date or thereafter created or acquired in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(x) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may acquire and hold non-cash consideration issued by the purchaser of assets in connection with a sale of such assets to the extent permitted by Section 10.2(iv);

 

(xi) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may invest Trust Funds in accordance with reasonable business practices and applicable law;

 

(xii) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may make advances to suppliers in the ordinary course for the purpose of prepaying purchases of inventory; and

 

(xiii) the Credit Parties may maintain bank accounts and Cash Equivalents in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement and the other Security Documents.

 

10.6. Limitation on Dividends and Redemptions.

 

No Credit Party will declare or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any class of Equity Interests, nor will any Credit Party directly or indirectly make any capital contribution of any nature to or purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Equity Interests in any Credit Party (whether such interests are now or hereafter issued, outstanding or created), or cause or permit any reduction or retirement of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party, while any Note hereunder is outstanding; provided that:

 

(a) the Parent and the General Partner shall be permitted to make regularly scheduled quarterly distributions to its general and limited partners to the extent set forth in the Partnership Agreement and the GP Agreement, respectively, each as in effect as of the Closing Date if, (i) at the time such distribution is made no Default or Event of Default exists, or would exist after giving effect to such distribution, and (ii) for the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to the date of such distribution and the chief financial

 

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officer of the Parent or the General Partner, as applicable, delivers to the holders of the Notes a certificate that the above conditions have been satisfied; and

 

(b) any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor may pay to any Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Parent any dividends on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any class of its capital stock or any partnership, limited liability company or other interest in it.

 

10.7. Transactions with Affiliates.

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series of transactions with any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party other than on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to the Parent or such Subsidiary as would be reasonably expected to be obtainable by the Parent or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that the following shall in any event be permitted: (i) the Transaction; (ii) intercompany transactions among Credit Parties to the extent expressly permitted by Sections 10.2, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.13 and 10.15 shall be permitted (including the payment of interest and principal on intercompany Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.4); (iii) the payment of consulting or other fees to any Credit Party in the ordinary course of business; (iv) customary fees to non-officer directors (or equivalents) of the General Partner and the Parent’s Subsidiaries; (v) Credit Parties may perform their respective obligations under the Employment Agreements in effect on the Closing Date, under employee benefit plans of any Credit Party and under other employment arrangements with respect to the procurement of services with their respective officers and employees, and enter into and perform their respective obligations under renewals or replacements of such arrangements, in each case so long as such employment arrangements or renewals and replacements thereof are entered into in the ordinary course of business; (vi) distributions may be paid by Credit Parties to the extent permitted by Section 10.6; (vii) payments may be made pursuant to any Tax Allocation Agreement; (viii) Credit Parties may enter into transactions with employees and/or officers of the Credit Parties in the ordinary course of business so long as any such material transaction has been approved by the governing bodies of such Credit Parties; and (ix) the Credit Parties may perform their respective obligations under (A) the Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among certain Credit Parties and certain of their Affiliates, and (B) the Assignment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P. and the Parent. In no event shall any management, consulting or similar fee be paid or payable by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to any Affiliate, except as specifically provided in this Section 10.7.

 

10.8. Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio.

 

The Parent will not permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any Test Period to be less than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, for all determinations of the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio made for any Test Period ended prior to (but not after) the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Consolidated Net Interest Expense used in the calculation of such ratio shall be (a) calculated for the period from the Closing Date

 

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through the last date of the applicable Test Period and (b) then multiplied by a fraction with (i) a numerator of 360 and (ii) a denominator equal to the number of days in such period. In addition, for purposes of making determinations pursuant to Section 9.14, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (it being understood that this sentence shall not affect any adjustments required pursuant to the definitions of Consolidated Net Interest Expense or Consolidated EBITDA).

 

10.9. Leverage Ratio.

 

The Parent will not permit the Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, all determinations of the Leverage Ratio for purposes of this Section 10.9 shall include Consolidated EBITDA as calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions, if any, effected during the respective Test Period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined.

 

10.10.  Minimum EBITDA.

 

The Parent will not permit Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period to be less than $21,000,000 plus 80% of aggregate of all Consolidated EBITDA for each Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, as determined for such Person as of the date of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

10.11.  Trust Funds.

 

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party will withdraw or otherwise remove any monies or other assets (whether principal, interest or other earnings) from any Trust Account except for the purpose of providing the merchandise or services which are intended to be provided out of such Trust Account.

 

10.12.  Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Organization Documents.

 

No Credit Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(i) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Partnership Common Units or Partnership Subordinated Units or of any agreement (including, without limitation, certificate of designation) relating thereto in a manner that is inconsistent with the Partnership Agreement or that could reasonably be expected to be adverse in any material respect to the interests of the holders of Notes;

 

(ii) make (or give any notice in respect of) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption, repurchase or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with the trustee with respect thereto or any other Person, money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due), or any prepayment or redemption (except as expressly required

 

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under the terms of the relevant agreement) as a result of any asset sale, change of control or similar event of any Indebtedness pursuant to the Credit Agreement Documents or any Existing Indebtedness, or, after the incurrence or issuance thereof, any Seller Subordinated Debt, except that revolving loans under the Credit Agreement Documents may be prepaid at any time and other Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement Documents may be prepaid to the extent the proceeds of such prepayment are applied as provided in Section 5.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(iii) amend, modify or change, in any way adverse to the interests of the holders of Notes, any Credit Agreement Document; or

 

(iv) amend, modify or change in any way adverse to the interests of the holders of Notes in any material respect any Existing Indebtedness, any Seller Subordinated Debt, any Tax Allocation Agreement, any Management Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited liability company, limited liability company agreement or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its capital stock or other Equity Interests (including any Shareholders’ Agreement), or enter into any new Tax Allocation Agreement, Management Agreement or agreement with respect to its capital stock or other Equity Interests which could reasonably be expected to be adverse in any material respect to the interests of the holders of the Notes or, in the case of any Management Agreement, which involves the payment by any Credit Party of any amount which could give rise to a violation of this Agreement; provided that, the foregoing clause shall not restrict (x) the ability of Parent or the General Partner to amend the Partnership Agreement or the GP Agreement, respectively, to authorize the issuance of Equity Interests otherwise permitted to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (y) the ability of the Parent to amend its organizational documents to adopt customary takeover defenses for a public company, such as classification of its board of directors, requirements for notice of acquisition of shares and other similar measures.

 

10.13.  Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests.

 

(a) No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue (i) any Preferred Equity (or any options, warrants or rights to purchase Preferred Equity), other than issuances by the Parent of Partnership Subordinated Units or Partnership Common Units, or (ii) any mandatorily redeemable common Equity Interests.

 

(b) The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not issue any Equity Interests (including by way of sales of treasury stock), except (i) for transfers and replacements of then outstanding shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests, (ii) for stock splits, stock dividends and additional issuances which do not decrease the percentage ownership of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in any class of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiaries, (iii) to qualify directors to the extent required by applicable law and (iv) Subsidiaries formed after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 10.15 may issue Equity Interests in accordance with the requirements of

 

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Section 10.15. All Equity Interests issued in accordance with this Section 10.13(b) shall, to the extent required by the Pledge Agreement, be delivered to the Collateral Agent for pledge pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

 

10.14.  Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.

 

The Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other Equity Interest or participation in its profits owned by any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, or pay any Indebtedness owed to any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, (b) make loans or advances to any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law, (ii) this Agreement, the other Finance Documents and the Credit Agreement Documents, (iii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, (iv) customary provisions restricting assignment of any contract entered into by any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor in the ordinary course of business, and (vi) the Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

10.15.  Limitation on the Creation of Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, establish, create or acquire after the Closing Date any Subsidiary; provided that the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be permitted to establish, create and, to the extent permitted by Section 9.12, acquire wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as, in each case, (i) at least 30 days prior written notice thereof is given to the holders of the Notes (or such lesser prior written notice as may be agreed to by the Required Holders in any given case), (ii) the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary are promptly pledged pursuant to, and to the extent required by, this Agreement and the Pledge Agreement and the certificates, if any, representing such Equity Interests, together with appropriate transfer powers duly executed in blank, are delivered to the Collateral Agent, (iii) such new Subsidiary promptly executes a counterpart hereto and of the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement, and (iv) to the extent requested by the Required Holders, takes all actions required pursuant to Section 9.9. In addition, each new Subsidiary that is required to execute any Finance Document shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all other relevant documentation of the type described in Section 4 as such new Subsidiary would have had to deliver if such new Subsidiary were a Credit Party on the Closing Date.

 

(b) the Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any partnerships or joint ventures.

 

10.16.  Limitation on Fees for Intellectual Property, etc.

 

Neither the Parent, the General Partner nor any Affiliate will charge any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor a fee to use any patent, trademark, permit, service mark, trade name,

 

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technology copyright, license, franchise or formula, or other rights with respect to the foregoing, which the Parent, the General Partner or any Affiliate may own or have a right to use.

 

11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

An “ Event of Default ” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a) Payments . (i) Default in the payment when due of any principal of the Notes (including, without limitation, any mandatory prepayment required pursuant to Section 8.2) or any Make-Whole Amount, or (ii) the default, and such default shall continue for three or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Notes or any other amounts owing hereunder or under any other Finance Document; or

 

(b) Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty or statement made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Finance Document or in any statement or certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; or

 

(c) Covenants . Any Credit Party shall (i) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.1, Sections 9.9 through 9.18 or Section 10, or (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 11 or clause (i) of this Section 11(c)) contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after notice to the defaulting party by any holder of Notes; or

 

(d) Default Under Other Agreements . (i) Any Credit Party shall (x) default in any payment with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which Indebtedness was created or (y) default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice is required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity (it being understood that a default or other event or condition described above in this clause (y) shall cease to constitute an Event of Default if and when same has been cured or otherwise ceases to exist, in each case prior to the taking of any action by the Required Holders pursuant to Section 12); or (ii) any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of any Credit Party shall be declared to be due and payable, or shall be required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as a mandatory prepayment (unless such required prepayment or mandatory prepayment results from a default thereunder or an event of the type that constitutes an Event of Default), prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided that it shall not constitute an Event of Default pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 11(d) unless the principal amount of any one issue of such Indebtedness, or the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, exceeds $500,000 at any one time; or

 

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(e) Bankruptcy, etc . Any Credit Party shall commence a voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”); or an involuntary case is commenced against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and the petition is not controverted within 20 days, or is not dismissed within 90 days, after commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or there is commenced against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries any such proceeding which remains undismissed for a period of 90 days; or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered; or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days; or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any corporate action is taken by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

 

(f) ERISA . (i) Any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA or a waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA, a Reportable Event shall have occurred, a contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA shall be subject to the advance reporting requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof) and an event described in subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 shall be reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days, any Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA shall have had or could reasonably be expected to have a trustee appointed to administer such Plan, any Plan or, to the knowledge of the Parent, or any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, Multiemployer Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA is, shall have been or could reasonably be expected to be terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA, any Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution required to be made with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has not been timely made, the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any liability to or on account of a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of the Code or on account of a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code and/or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, or the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur liabilities pursuant to one or more employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provide benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or Plans, a “default” within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA, shall occur with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, any applicable law, rule or regulation is adopted, changed or interpreted, or the interpretation or administration thereof is changed, in each case after the date hereof, by any governmental authority or agency or by any

 

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court (a “ Change in Law ”), or, as a result of a Change in Law, an event occurs following a Change in Law, with respect to or otherwise affecting any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) there shall result from any such event or events described above in this Section 11(f) the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability or a material risk of incurring a liability resulting from any event described in clause (i) above; and (iii) such lien, security interest or liability, individually and/or in the aggregate, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Holders, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(g) Security Documents . (i) Any Security Document shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Notes the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby, in favor of the Collateral Agent, superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except as permitted by Section 10.3), and subject to no other Liens (except as permitted by Section 10.3), or (ii) any Credit Party shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to any such Security Document and such default shall continue beyond any cure or grace period specifically applicable thereto pursuant to the terms of any such Security Document; or

 

(h) Guaranty . The Guarantee or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee or any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to the Guarantee; or

 

(i) Judgments . One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Credit Party involving a liability (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance (with any portion of any judgment or decree not so covered to be included in any determination hereunder)) in excess of $500,000 for all such judgments and decrees and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

 

(j) Ownership . There occurs any Change of Control; or

 

(k) Intercreditor Agreement . The Intercreditor Agreement or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect.

 

12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.

 

12.1. Acceleration.

 

(a) If an Event of Default with respect to a Credit Party described in paragraph (e) of Section 11 has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Issuers, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

 

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(c) If any Event of Default described in paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 11 has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Issuers, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.

 

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount, shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Issuers acknowledge, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Issuers (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Issuers in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.

 

12.2. Other Remedies.

 

If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

 

12.3. Rescission.

 

At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of Section 12.1, the Required Holders, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Issuers have paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (c) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc.

 

No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this

 

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Agreement or by any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Credit Parties under Section 15, the Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements.

 

13. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.

 

13.1. Registration of Notes.

 

The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and no Issuer shall be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.

 

13.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes.

 

Upon surrender of any Note at the principal executive office of the Company for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the address for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within five Business Days thereafter the Issuers shall execute and deliver, at the Credit Parties’ joint and several expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.

 

13.3. Replacement of Notes.

 

Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be,

 

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in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

 

(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $10,000,000, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

 

(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

 

the Issuers at their own joint and several expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

14. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.

 

14.1. Place of Payment.

 

Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of Citibank, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time thereafter, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in the United States or the principal office of a bank or trust company in the United States.

 

14.2. Home Office Payment.

 

So long as a Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Issuers will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2. The Issuers will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as such Purchaser has made in this Section 14.2.

 

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15. EXPENSES, ETC.

 

15.1. Transaction Expenses, etc.

 

Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of the Purchasers’ special counsel, and, if reasonably required, local counsel or other counsel) incurred by each Purchaser and each holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Finance Document (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including without limitation: (a) the fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent and its counsel, (b) all filing and recording fees and taxes and title insurance provisions in connection with any Finance Document, (c) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Finance Document or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or any other Finance Document, (d) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with a recapitalization of any Issuer or the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Issuer or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes and the other Finance Documents, (e) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information, and all subsequent annual and interim filings of documents and financial information related to this Agreement, with the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor organization acceding to the authority thereof and (f) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action taken or considered under Section 9.9. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any holder of a Note or the Collateral Agent in connection with the exercise of inspection rights pursuant to Section 7.3. The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses if any, of brokers and finders (other than those retained by such Purchaser).

 

In furtherance of the foregoing, on the Closing Date the Issuers jointly and severally agree to pay or cause to be paid the reasonable fees and disbursements and other charges of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 which are reflected in the statement or statements of such special counsel submitted to the Company on or before the Closing Date. The Issuers also jointly and severally agree to pay, promptly upon receipt of supplemental statements therefor, reasonable additional fees, if any, and disbursements and other charges of such special counsel in connection with the transactions hereby contemplated (including disbursements and other charges unposted as of the Closing Date to the extent such disbursements and other charges exceed estimated amounts previously paid).

 

15.2. Survival.

 

The obligations of the Credit Parties under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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16. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

 

All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by a Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest or Make-Whole Amount on any Note or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Financing Document is outstanding and unpaid. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Credit Party under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement, the Notes and the other Finance Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Purchasers and the Credit Parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

 

17.1. Requirements.

 

This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of each Credit Party and the Required Holders, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 21 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing, and (b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8, 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17 or 20.

 

17.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.

 

(a) Solicitation . The Credit Parties will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

 

(b) Payment . No Credit Party will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise,

 

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or grant any security, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes or any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

 

17.3. Binding Effect, etc.

 

Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Credit Parties without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between any Credit Party and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term “ this Agreement ” and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented.

 

17.4. Notes held by Issuers, etc.

 

Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by any Issuer or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

18. NOTICES.

 

All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

 

(a) if to any Purchaser or such Purchaser’s nominee, to such Purchaser or such nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchasers or such nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,

 

(b) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or

 

(c) if to any Credit Party, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

 

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Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

 

19. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.

 

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including without limitation (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by Purchasers at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to Purchasers, may be reproduced by a Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. Each Credit Party agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit any Credit Party or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

 

20. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

 

For the purposes of this Section 20, “ Confidential Information ” means information delivered to a Purchaser by or on behalf of any Credit Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of such Credit Party, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any person acting on its behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by a Credit Party or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by it in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to it, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, trustees, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which such Purchaser sell or offer to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which such Purchaser offers to purchase any security of any Credit Party (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s investment portfolio or

 

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(viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s Notes and this Agreement. In connection with the delivery or disclosure by a Purchasers of Confidential Information as permitted by clause (viii) above, such Purchaser shall as promptly as practicable, either before or after such delivery or disclosure, unless prohibited by law, notify the Company thereof. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company or applicable Credit Party embodying the provisions of this Section 20.

 

21. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER.

 

Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates (including any affiliated managed accounts or affiliated managed funds) as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon substitution, wherever the word “Purchaser” is used in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), such word shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such Purchaser. In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such transfer, wherever the word “Purchaser” is used in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), such word shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such Purchaser, and such Purchaser shall have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.

 

22. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

22.1. Successors and Assigns.

 

All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including without limitation any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.

 

22.2. Payments Due on Non-Business Days.

 

Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment of principal of or Make-whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date

 

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other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including (except at maturity) the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

 

22.3. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a) Each Credit Party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes or any other Finance Document to which it is a party. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Credit Party irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(b) Each Credit Party consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.3(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address of such party specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which a Purchaser shall then have been notified pursuant to said Section. Each Credit Party agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to such party. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

 

(c) Nothing in this Section 22.3 shall affect the right of any holder of Notes to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against any Credit Party in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 

(d) EACH CREDIT PARTY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.

 

22.4. Construction.

 

Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

62


22.5. Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

 

22.6. Accounting Terms.

 

All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, any consolidated financial statement or financial computation shall be done in accordance with GAAP; and, if at the time that any such statement or computation is required to be made the Parent or the Company, as the case may be, shall not have any consolidated Subsidiary, such terms shall mean a financial statement or a financial computation, as the case may be, with respect to the Parent or the Company, as the case may be, only. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all computations determining the compliance with Sections 8.2, 9.12 and 10, including in each case definitions used therein, shall, in each case, utilize accounting principles and policies in effect at the time of the preparation of, and in conformity with those used to prepare, the December 31, 2003 financial statements of the Parent delivered to the Purchasers pursuant to Section 5.10.

 

If at the time of delivery of any annual or quarterly financial statement under Section 7.1 there is a material variation between the application of accounting principles employed in the preparation of such statement and the application of accounting principles employed in the preparation of the December 31, 2003 financial statements referred to above (“ Frozen GAAP ”) and such variation effects the computations used in determining compliance with Sections 9.12 and 10, including in each case definitions used therein, then the Parent shall deliver to the holders of Notes at the same time as the delivery of such annual or quarterly financial statements (i) a description in reasonable detail of such variation and (ii) management prepared annual or quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with Frozen GAAP. In addition, the Parent shall deliver to the holders of Notes such other reconciliation documentation as the Required Holders may reasonably request.

 

22.7. Indemnification.

 

The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify, exonerate and hold each Purchaser and each of its officers, directors, trustees, employees and agents (collectively the “ Indemnities ” and individually an “ Indemnitee ”) free and harmless from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, losses, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith, including without limitation reasonable counsel fees and disbursements (collectively the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly with proceeds from the sale of any of the Notes, or the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, the Security Documents or any instrument

 

63


contemplated hereby by any of the Indemnitees, except as to any Indemnitee for any such Indemnified Liabilities arising on account of such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct; and if and to the extent the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason, each Credit Party agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. The obligations of the Credit Parties under this Section shall survive the payment of the Notes.

 

22.8. Governing Law.

 

This Agreement and the Notes shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

22.9. Severability.

 

Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

23. ISSUERS’ LIABILITY FOR PAYMENTS.

 

23.1. Joint and Several Liability.

 

Each Issuer hereby agrees that it shall be jointly and severally liable with each other Issuer for all of the obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Documents, whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount or any other amount whatsoever payable hereunder or thereunder, and whether now existing or hereafter from time to time arising. The Issuers agree that their obligations under this Section 23.1 and the other provisions of this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Document shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be primary (rather than secondary), absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, each Issuer agrees that its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and other Finance Documents shall be unconditional and shall remain unchanged and in effect irrespective of any modification or amendment (including without limitation by way of amendment, extension, renewal or waiver), or any acceleration or other change in the time for payment or performance, of the obligations under this Agreement or the Notes or any other Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument whatsoever relating thereto, any release of the obligations of any other Issuer, any bankruptcy or insolvency of any other Issuer, and any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or surety. No holder of the Notes shall have any obligation to exhaust its remedies against any Issuer before proceeding against any other Issuer.

 

Notwithstanding anything set forth above or any other Finance Document, each Controlled Non-Profit shall be liable only for that portion of the Obligations from which it

 

64


derives a direct benefit, and the Collateral of such Controlled Non-Profit shall only secure, or be utilized to repay, such portion of the Obligations.

 

23.2. Rights of Contribution.

 

The Subsidiary Issuers agree that if any of them shall become an Excess Funding Issuer (as defined below) by reason of the payment by such Subsidiary Issuer of any obligations under this Agreement or the Notes or any other Finance Document, each other Subsidiary Issuer (a “ Contributing Issuer ”) shall, on demand of such Excess Funding Issuer (but subject to the next sentence), pay to such Excess Funding Issuer an amount equal to such Contributing Issuer’s Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the Excess Payment (as defined below) in respect of such obligations. The payment obligation of a Subsidiary Issuer to an Excess Funding Issuer under this Section 23.2 shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the obligations of such Person under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Documents and no Excess Funding Issuer shall exercise any right or remedy with respect to such excess until payment and satisfaction in full of all such obligations.

 

For purposes of this Section 23.2: the term “ Excess Funding Issuer ” means, in respect of any obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, a Subsidiary Issuer that has paid an amount in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such obligations; the term “ Excess Payment ” means, in respect of any obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Documents, the amount paid by an Excess Funding Issuer in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such obligations; and the term “ Pro Rata Share ” means, for any Subsidiary Issuer, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) the amount by which the aggregate present fair saleable value of all properties of such Issuer (excluding any shares of stock of any other Subsidiary Issuer) exceeds the amount of all the debts and liabilities of such Subsidiary Issuer (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Subsidiary Issuer under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Documents and any obligations of any other Person that have been guaranteed by such Subsidiary Issuer) to (b) the amount by which the aggregate fair saleable value of all properties of the Subsidiary Issuers (excluding all shares of stock of any Subsidiary Issuer held by any other Subsidiary Issuer) exceeds the amount of all the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Subsidiary Issuers under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Finance Documents and any obligations of any other Person that have been guaranteed by any Subsidiary Issuer) of the Subsidiary Issuers.

 

In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state or Federal bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Subsidiary Issuer under Section 23.1 would otherwise, taking into account the provisions of Section 23.1, be held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 23.1, then, notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Subsidiary Issuer or the holder of any Note, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that would result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Issuer under Section 23.1 being valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

65


If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on the a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon the foregoing shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.

 

Very truly yours,

STONEMOR GP LLC

By  

/s/    Paul Waimberg

   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

By:

 

STONEMOR GP LLC

By  

/s/    Paul Waimberg

   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

By

 

/s/    Paul Waimberg

   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 


Subsidiary Issuers

ALLEGHANY MEMORIAL PARK LLC

ALLEGHANY MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

ALTAVISTA MEMORIAL PARK LLC

ALTAVISTA MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

ARLINGTON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

AUGUSTA MEMORIAL PARK PERPETUAL
CARE COMPANY

BEDFORD COUNTY MEMORIAL PARK LLC

BEDFORD COUNTY MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY LLC

BETHEL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

BETH ISRAEL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION OF
WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY

BIRCHLAWN BURIAL PARK LLC

BIRCHLAWN BURIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

BLUE RIDGE MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

BLUE RIDGE MEMORIAL GARDENS
SUBSIDIARY LLC

BUTLER COUNTY MEMORIAL PARK LLC

BUTLER COUNTY MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

CEDAR HILL FUNERAL HOME, INC.

CEMETERY INVESTMENTS LLC

CEMETERY INVESTMENTS SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

CEMETERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, L.L.C.

CEMETERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF
MID-ATLANTIC STATES, L.L.C.

CEMETERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF
OHIO, L.L.C.

CEMETERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF
PENNSYLVANIA, L.L.C.

CHARTIERS CEMETERY LLC

CHARTIERS CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
    Name: Paul Waimberg
   

Title:    As Vice President for each

of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


CLOVER LEAF PARK CEMETERY
ASSOCIATION

CMS WEST LLC

CMS WEST SUBSIDIARY LLC

COLUMBIA MEMORIAL PARK LLC

COLUMBIA MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

THE CORAOPOLIS CEMETERY COMPANY

THE CORAOPOLIS CEMETERY PARENT LLC

THE CORAOPOLIS CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY
LLC

CORNERSTONE FAMILY INSURANCE
SERVICES, INC.

CORNERSTONE FAMILY SERVICES OF NEW
JERSEY, INC.

CORNERSTONE FAMILY SERVICES OF WEST
VIRGINIA LLC

CORNERSTONE FAMILY SERVICES OF WEST
VIRGINIA SUBSIDIARY, INC.

CORNERSTONE FUNERAL AND CREMATION
SERVICES LLC

COVENANT ACQUISITION LLC

COVENANT ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.

CROWN HILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

ELOISE B. KYPER FUNERAL HOME, INC.

GLEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK LLC

GLEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

GREEN LAWN MEMORIAL PARK LLC

GREEN LAWN MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY LLC

HENLOPEN MEMORIAL PARK LLC

HENLOPEN MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

HENRY MEMORIAL PARK LLC

HENRY MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY, INC.

J.V. WALKER LLC

J.V. WALKER SUBSIDIARY LLC

JUNIATA MEMORIAL PARK LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
    Name: Paul Waimberg
    Title:    As Vice President for each
of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


JUNIATA MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY LLC

KIRIS LLC

KIRIS SUBSIDIARY, INC.

LAKEWOOD/HAMILTON CEMETERY LLC

LAKEWOOD/HAMILTON CEMETERY
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

LAKEWOOD MEMORY GARDENS SOUTH
LLC

LAKEWOOD MEMORY GARDENS SOUTH
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

LAUREL HILL MEMORIAL PARK LLC

LAUREL HILL MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

LAURELWOOD CEMETERY COMPANY

LAURELWOOD CEMETERY PARENT LLC

LAURELWOOD CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY
LLC

LAURELWOOD HOLDING COMPANY

LEGACY ESTATES, INC.

LOCUSTWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

LOEWEN [VIRGINIA] LLC

LOEWEN [VIRGINIA] SUBSIDIARY, INC.

LORRAINE PARK CEMETERY LLC

LORRAINE PARK CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY,
INC.

MELROSE LAND LLC

MELROSE LAND SUBSIDIARY LLC

MODERN PARK DEVELOPMENT LLC

MODERN PARK DEVELOPMENT
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

MORRIS CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE
COMPANY

MOUNT LEBANON CEMETERY LLC

MOUNT LEBANON CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY
LLC

MT. AIRY CEMETERY, INC.

MT. AIRY CEMETERY PARENT LLC

MT. AIRY CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
    Name: Paul Waimberg
    Title:    As Vice President for each
of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


OAK HILL CEMETERY LLC

OAK HILL CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY, INC.

OSIRIS HOLDING FINANCE COMPANY

OSIRIS HOLDING OF MARYLAND LLC

OSIRIS HOLDING OF MARYLAND
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

OSIRIS HOLDING OF PENNSYLVANIA LLC

OSIRIS HOLDING OF PENNSYLVANIA
SUBSIDIARY LLC

OSIRIS HOLDING OF RHODE ISLAND LLC

OSIRIS HOLDING OF RHODE ISLAND
SUBSIDIARY, INC.

OSIRIS MANAGEMENT, INC.

OSIRIS TELEMARKETING CORP.

PERPETUAL GARDENS.COM, INC.

THE PROSPECT CEMETERY LLC

THE PROSPECT CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY
LLC

PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY LLC

PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY
LLC

PVD ACQUISITIONS LLC

PVD ACQUISITIONS SUBSIDIARY, INC.

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY LLC

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY LLC

RIVERVIEW MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

RIVERVIEW MEMORIAL GARDENS
SUBSIDIARY LLC

ROCKBRIDGE MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

ROCKBRIDGE MEMORIAL GARDENS
SUBSIDIARY COMPANY

ROLLING GREEN MEMORIAL PARK LLC

ROLLING GREEN MEMORIAL PARK
SUBSIDIARY LLC

ROSE LAWN CEMETERIES LLC

ROSE LAWN CEMETERIES SUBSIDIARY,
INCORPORATED

ROSE LAWN DEVELOPMENT LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
    Name: Paul Waimberg
    Title:    As Vice President for each
of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


ROSELAWN DEVELOPMENT SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION

RUSSELL MEMORIAL CEMETERY LLC

RUSSELL MEMORIAL CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY, INC.

SHENANDOAH MEMORIAL PARK LLC

SHENANDOAH MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY, INC.

SOUTHERN MEMORIAL SALES LLC

SOUTHERN MEMORIAL SALES SUBSIDIARY, INC.

SPRINGHILL MEMORY GARDENS LLC

SPRINGHILL MEMORY GARDENS SUBSIDIARY, INC.

STAR CITY MEMORIAL SALES LLC

STAR CITY MEMORIAL SALES SUBSIDIARY, INC.

STITHAM LLC

STITHAM SUBSIDIARY, INCORPORATED

SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS SUBSIDIARY, INC.

SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK LLC

SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY, INC.

TEMPLE HILL LLC

TEMPLE HILL SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION

TIOGA COUNTY MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

TIOGA COUNTY MEMORIAL GARDENS SUBSIDIARY LLC

TRI-COUNTY MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

TRI-COUNTY MEMORIAL GARDENS SUBSIDIARY LLC

TWIN HILLS MEMORIAL PARK AND MAUSOLEUM LLC

TWIN HILLS MEMORIAL PARK AND MAUSOLEUM SUBSIDIARY LLC

THE VALHALLA CEMETERY COMPANY LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
   

Name:  Paul Waimberg

   

Title:    As Vice President for each

of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


THE VALHALLA CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION

VIRGINIA MEMORIAL SERVICE LLC

VIRGINIA MEMORIAL SERVICE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION

WNCI LLC

WNC SUBSIDIARY, INC.

WESTMINSTER CEMETERY LLC

WESTMINSTER CEMETERY SUBSIDIARY LLC

WICOMICO MEMORIAL PARKS LLC

WICOMICO MEMORIAL PARKS SUBSIDIARY, INC.

WILLOWBROOK MANAGEMENT CORP.

WOODLAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS LLC

WOODLAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS SUBSIDIARY LLC

WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION

WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK PARENT LLC

WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK SUBSIDIARY LLC

By

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
   

Name: Paul Waimberg

   

Title:    As Vice President for each

of the above named Subsidiary Issuers

 


The foregoing is hereby agreed to as

of the date first above written.

SFT I, INC.

By

 

/s/    Roger M. Cozzi

   

Name: Roger M. Cozzi

   

Title: Executive Vice President

 


The foregoing is hereby agreed to as

of the date first above written.

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE

COMPANY OF AMERICA

By

  /s/    Yvonne Guajardo
   

Title:

  Vice President

PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT

INSURANCE AND ANNUITY

COMPANY

By:

      Prudential Investment Management, Inc., as investment manager

By

  /s/    Yvonne Guajardo
   

Title:

  Vice President

 


SCHEDULE A

 

This Schedule A shows the names and addresses of the Purchasers under the foregoing Note Purchase Agreement and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased by each.

 

Name and Address of Purchaser


   Principal Amount of
Notes to be Purchased


SFT I, INC.

   $ 40,000,000

(1)    All payments on account of the Notes shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds for credit to:

      

Account Name: SFT I, Inc.

      

Account No. 230-368913

      

JPMorgan Chase Bank

      

ABA #021000021

      

Ref: Stonemor Debt Service

      

(2)    Address for all notices in respect of payments:

      

iStar Financial Inc.

      

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27 th Floor

      

New York, New York 10036

      

Attn: Chief Operating Officer

      

Telephone: 212-930-9400

      

Facsimile: 212-930-9494

      

With a copy to:

      

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27 th Floor

      

New York, New York 10036

      

Attn: Nina B. Matis, Esq./General Counsel

      

Telephone: 212-930-9406

      

Facsimile: 212-930-9492

      

With a copy to:

      

iStar Asset Services Inc.

      

180 Glastonbury Blvd., Suite 201

      

Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033

      

Attn: President

      

Telephone: 860-815-5900

      

Facsimile: 860-815-5901

      

 


(3)    Address for all other communications:

    

iStar Financial Inc.

    

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27 th Floor

    

New York, New York 10036

    

Attn: Chief Operating Officer

    

Telephone: 212-930-9400

    

Facsimile: 212-930-9494

    

With a copy to:

    

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 27 th Floor

    

New York, New York 10036

    

Attn: Nina B. Matis, Esq./General Counsel

    

Telephone: 212-930-9406

    

Facsimile: 212-930-9492

    

With a copy to:

    

iStar Asset Services Inc.

    

180 Glastonbury Blvd., Suite 201

    

Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033

    

Attn: President

    

Telephone: 860-815-5900

    

Facsimile: 860-815-5901

    

(4) Tax Identification No.: 06-1508876

    

 


Name and Address of Purchaser


   Principal Amount of
Notes to be Purchased


THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF

AMERICA

   $ 35,000,000

(1)    All payments on account of Notes held by such purchaser shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds for credit to:

      

Account No. 890-0304-391

      

The Bank of New York

      

New York, New York

      

(ABA No.: 021-000-018)

      

Each such wire transfer shall set forth the name of the Company, a reference to (a)” [ Insert CUSIP, interest rate, series and maturity date]” for the First Note and (b) “[ Insert CUSIP, interest rate, series and maturity date ]” for the Second Note, and the due date and application (as among principal, interest and Yield-Maintenance Amount) of the payment being made.

      

(2)    Address for all notices relating to payments:

      

The Prudential Insurance Company of America

      

c/o Investment Operations Group

      

Gateway Center Two, 10th Floor

      

100 Mulberry Street

      

Newark, New Jersey 07102

      

Fax: 973-802-8764

      

Attention: Manager, Billings and Collections

      

(3)    Address for all communications and notices

         (including copies of all notices relating to payments):

      

The Prudential Insurance Company of America

      

c/o Prudential Capital Group

      

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 30 th Floor

      

New York, New York 10036

      

Fax: 212-626-2077

      

Phone: 212-626-2060

      

Attention: Managing Director

      

 


(4)    Recipient of telephonic prepayment notices:

Manager, Trade Management Group

Telephone:

   (973) 367-3141

Facsimile:

   (800) 224-2278

(5)    Address for Delivery of Notes:

The Prudential Insurance Company of America

c/o Prudential Capital Group

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 30 th Floor

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Philip Corsello, Esq.

(6)    Tax Identification No.: 22-1211670

 


Name and Address of Purchaser


   Principal Amount of
Notes to be Purchased


PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND

ANNUITY COMPANY

   $ 5,000,000

(1)    All payments on account of Notes held by such purchaser shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds for credit to:

      

JP Morgan Chase Bank

      

New York, NY

      

ABA No. 021000021

      

Account No. 9009002925

      

Each such wire transfer shall set forth the name of the Company, a reference to “          % Senior Notes due                      ,          , PPN              ” and the due date and application (as among principal, interest and [Yield-Maintenance] [Make-Whole] Amount) of the payment being made.

      

(2)    Address for all notices relating to payments:

      

Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

      

c/o Prudential Investment Management, Inc.

      

Private Placement Trade Management

      

PRIAC Administration

      

Gateway Center Four, 7th Floor

      

100 Mulberry Street

      

Newark, NJ 07102

      

Telephone: (973) 802-8107

      

Facsimile: (800) 224-2278

      

(3)    Address for all other communications and notices:

      

Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

      

c/o Prudential Capital Group

      

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 30 th Floor

      

New York, New York 10036

      

Fax: 212-626-2077

      

Phone: 212-626-2060

      

Attn: Managing Director

      

 


(4)    Address for Delivery of Notes:

    

Send physical security by nationwide overnight

    

delivery service to:

    

Prudential Capital Group

    

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 30 th Floor

    

New York, NY 10036

    

Attention: Philip Corsello, Esq.

    

(5)    Tax Identification No.: 20-0765614

    

 


SCHEDULE B

 

Except as otherwise specified or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Account Receivable ” means an “account”, “tangible chattel paper” or “note”, as defined in the UCC, in favor of an Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Acquisition Facility ” means the making of Acquisition Loans under and as defined in the Credit Agreement. The aggregate amount of Acquisition Loans shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including but not limited to all directors and officers of such Person), controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 10.7, an Affiliate of any Credit Party shall include any Person that directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of the partnership interests or membership interests in the Parent or General Partner, any Senior Manager, or any director or manager of any Credit Party.

 

Aggregate Consideration ” means, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, the sum (without duplication) of (i) the fair market value of the Partnership Common Units (based on the average closing trading price of the Partnership Common Units for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition on the stock exchange on which the Partnership Common Units are listed or, if the Partnership Common Units are not so listed, the good faith determination of the senior management of the General Partner) issued (or to be issued) as consideration in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash paid (or to be paid) by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as consideration in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (including, without limitation, payment, as consideration, of fees and costs and expenses in connection therewith) and the contingent cash purchase price or other earnout obligations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries incurred in connection therewith (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner), (iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness assumed, incurred and/or issued in connection with such Permitted Acquisition to the extent permitted by Section 10.4, (iv) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner) of any Preferred Equity issued in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and (v) the fair market value (determined in good faith by senior management of the General Partner) of all other consideration payable in connection with such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Agreement ” means this Note Purchase Agreement, as the same may be from time to time modified, amended, restated and/or supplemented.

 

Approved Installment Agreement ” means a pre-need installment agreement, in a form currently approved for use by all applicable governmental authorities as such form may be modified from time to time in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and complying with all applicable laws, between an Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor and an individual pursuant to which

 


such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor has agreed to provide for and sell to such individual cemetery services and/or Cemetery Property.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, transfer or other disposition by any Credit Party to any Person other than to a Credit Party of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other Equity Interests of another Person, but excluding the sale by such Person of its own Equity Interests) of such Credit Party other than sales, transfers or other dispositions of (a) inventory, worn or obsolete equipment, and Cemetery Property made in the ordinary course of business, (b) real property made in the ordinary course of business, while no Default or Event of Default exists, to the extent the aggregate value of such real property disposed of in any fiscal year is not in excess of $3,000,000, and (c) Equity Interests in the Parent made by the General Partner as required by the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, means, on any date, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” has the meaning provided in Section 11(e).

 

Business Day ” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.8 only, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are required or authorized to be closed.

 

Calculation Period ” has the meaning provided in Section 9.12.

 

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, all expenditures by such Person which should be capitalized in accordance with GAAP during such period and are, or are required to be, included in property, plant or equipment reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and repairs which should be so capitalized in accordance with GAAP) and, without duplication, the amount of all Capitalized Lease Obligations incurred by such Person during such period.

 

Capital Lease ” as applied to any Person, means any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means all obligations under Capital Leases of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means (i) marketable securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the Unites States of America, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by

 

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any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies (“ S&P ”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“ Moody’s ”); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 (each such commercial bank being herein called a “ Cash Equivalent Bank ”) and (v) Eurodollar time deposits having a maturity of less than one year purchased directly from any Cash Equivalent Bank (provided such deposit is with such Cash Equivalent Bank or any other Cash Equivalent Bank).

 

Cemetery Law ” means any and all applicable federal, state of local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and directives imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the operation of funeral homes, cemeteries, mortuaries and related businesses.

 

Cemetery Management Agreement ” means an agreement pursuant to which any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor agrees to manage the operations of any Person in the business of providing cemetery services and/or Cemetery Property.

 

Cemetery Property ” means, at any time as to any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor, such Issuer’s or Subsidiary Guarantor’s interest in its real or personal property of the type sold or transferred pursuant to Approved Installment Agreements which property (a) has not, at such time, been sold or transferred to, and (b) is not under contract to be sold or transferred to, any other Person.

 

Certificate of Indebtedness ” means an agreement delivered to an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor from a non-profit cemetery which evidences an enforceable obligation to pay money together with a right to vote in connection with all shareholder decisions.

 

Change of Control ” means, with respect to any Person, an event or series of events by which:

 

(a) any two of the individuals acting as chairman, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Parent on the date hereof shall cease to hold such positions (unless replaced by individuals reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders within 90 days after any such individual ceases to hold such position);

 

(b) any Person or group of Person, which do not, on the Closing Date, hold Equity Interests in the Parent or the General Partner, thereafter obtain beneficial ownership or voting control of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Equity Interests in the Parent or the General Partner;

 

(c) the General Partner ceases to act as the sole general partner of the Parent;

 

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(d) the Parent ceases to own 100% of the Equity Interests in the Company; or

 

(e) except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interest in each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and the other Issuers.

 

Closing Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to the Code are to the Code, as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

Collateral ” means all “Collateral” as defined in each of the Security Documents.

 

Collateral Account ” has the meaning specified in the Collateral Account Agreement.

 

Collateral Account Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

 

Collateral Agent ” means Fleet National Bank, as Collateral Agent under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

Company ” means StoneMor Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Confidential Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 20.

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, plus , in each case to the extent actually deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, without duplication, (i) consolidated interest expense of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, (ii) provision for income taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) non-cash cost for Cemetery Property and real property sold, (v) any extraordinary losses, (vi) losses from sales of assets other than inventory and Cemetery Property and real property sold in the ordinary course of business, (vii) other non-cash items (including, without limitation, one-time charges associated with “cheap stock” compensation expense), and (viii) reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and the restructuring of the Existing Credit Agreement, minus , in each case to the extent actually included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, without duplication, (i) any extraordinary gains, (ii) gains from sales of assets other than inventory and Cemetery Property and real property sold in the ordinary course of business, (iii) any write-downs of non-current assets relating to impairments or the sale of non-current assets, incurred in connection with stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar equity rights, (iv) the amount of non-cash gains during such period (other than as a result of deferral of purchase price with respect to notes or installment sales contracts received in connection with sales of Cemetery Property); and (v) other non-cash items. Consolidated EBITDA shall be adjusted for any changes in net Deferred Revenue (excluding Deferred Margin), net Accounts Receivable,

 

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Merchandise Liability (including Merchandise Liabilities converted to Accounts Payable in the normal course of business and to be paid within 15 days of the date of determination) and Merchandise Trust (excluding any change in Trust Income Receivables), as each such term is defined in the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent, but excluding any increases pursuant to purchase accounting pursuant to future acquisitions.

 

Consolidated Funded Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, for the Partner and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including without limitation Obligations hereunder and any outstanding Revolving Loans under and as defined in the Credit Agreement as of such date (provided that if as of any date of determination the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding such date have reduced the amount of Interim Borrowings to not more than $5,000,000 for any 30 consecutive day period during such period as contemplated by Section 9.14 hereof, the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans to be included for these purposes shall be the lesser of (x) $5,000,000 and (y) the maximum outstanding amount of Revolving Loans that was outstanding during the most recent 30 consecutive day period), Seller Subordinated Debt and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all direct obligations arising under letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (e) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (f) all Contingent Obligations with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (g) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Parent or such Subsidiary.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” for any period means the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Interest Expense for such period.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net after tax income (or loss) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that in determining Consolidated Net Income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (i) the net income of any of Person which is not a Subsidiary of the Parent or is accounted for by the Parent by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the payment of cash dividends or cash disbursements by such Person to the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent during such period, and (ii) except for determinations expressly required to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or all or substantially all of the property or assets of such Person are acquired by a Subsidiary shall be excluded from such determination.

 

Consolidated Net Interest Expense ” means, for any period, (i) the total consolidated interest expense of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such period (calculated without regard to any limitations on payment thereof) payable in respect of any Indebtedness

 

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plus (ii) without duplication, that portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis representing the interest factor for such period.

 

Contingent Obligations ” means as to any Person any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (y) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection or standard contractual indemnities entered into, in each case in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Controlled Non-Profit ” means an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor which (a) is organized as a non-profit entity, whether pursuant to Section 501 of the Code or otherwise, or (b) which has contracted with any Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor for the provisions of services under a Cemetery Management Agreement; provided that, such term shall not, in any case, be deemed to include Willowbrook Cemetery.

 

Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement dated as of September 20, 2004 by and among the Issuers, the Lenders party thereto and Fleet National Bank, as agent for said Lenders, as amended, modified, supplemented or refinanced in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (so long as in the case of any refinancing the lenders under such refinanced credit agreement have become parties to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Issuers comply with Section 9.18).

 

Credit Agreement Documents ” means the Credit Agreement, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Credit Parties ” means each of the Guarantors and the Issuers.

 

Default ” means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate ” means that rate of interest that is the greater of (a) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in the first paragraph of the Notes and (b) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Citibank, N.A. in New York City as its “base” or “prime” rate.

 

Documents ” means the Credit Agreement Documents and the Finance Documents.

 

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Employment Agreements ” mean all material employment agreements entered into by any Credit Party.

 

Environmental Claims ” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of non-compliance or violation, investigations or proceedings relating in any way to any liability, potential for liability, violation, or alleged violation by or of any Credit Party under any Environmental Law (hereafter “ Claims ”) or any permit issued to any Credit Party under any such law, including, without limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, and (b) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment.

 

Environmental Law ” means any federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy having the force and effect of law, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect, in each case as amended, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment relating to the environment, or Hazardous Materials or the protection of human health and safety.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person means any and all capital stock, limited or general partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests, beneficial interests in a trust (other than a Trust Account), shares, interests, rights to purchase or acquire, warrants, options, participations, Certificates of Indebtedness, or other equivalents of or interest in (however designated) equity of such Person.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of ERISA, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) which together with any Credit Party would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code and any general partnership of which any Credit Party is or has been a general partner.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified Section 11.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 27, 1999, among Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as borrower, certain financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as a lender, administrative agent and as collateral agent, as such agreement has been amended, modified and supplemented from time to time through the Closing Date.

 

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Existing Indebtedness ” has the meaning specified Section 5.21.

 

Existing Indebtedness Agreements ” means, collectively, all agreements evidencing or relating to any Existing Indebtedness of any Credit Party in excess of $250,000.

 

Finance Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

Form S-1 ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

 

GAAP ” means GAAP in the United States of America as in effect from time to time; it being understood and agreed that determinations in accordance with GAAP for purposes of Sections 8.2, 9.12 and 10, including defined terms as used therein, and for all purposes of determining the Leverage Ratio, are subject (to the extent provided therein) to Section 22.6.

 

General Partner ” means StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the general partner of the Parent.

 

GP Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of September 20, 2004, as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Guarantee “has the meaning specified in Section 1.2.

 

Guarantors ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.5.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means (a) any petrochemical or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; and (b) any chemicals, materials or substances either (i) defined by or pursuant to any Environmental Law as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “restricted hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restrictive hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants”, “hazardous air pollutants,” “air pollutant,” or “pollutant,” or (ii) otherwise regulated by an Environmental Law.

 

holder ” means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) all Obligations and other indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) the deferred purchase price of assets or services payable to the sellers thereof or any of such seller’s assignees which in accordance with GAAP would be shown on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person but excluding deferred rent and trade payables not overdue by more than 90 days, both as determined in accordance with GAAP, (iii) the amount under all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (including all letter of credit outstandings), (iv) all Indebtedness of a second Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed, such amount,

 

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for purposes of this clause (iv) being limited to the value of such property, (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations of such Person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e. , take-or-pay and similar obligations, (vii) all obligations under any Swap Contract, (viii) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, and (ix) all Synthetic Lease Obligations; provided that Indebtedness shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.

 

Institutional Investor ” means (a) any original purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding more than 2.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form.

 

Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning specified Section 1.3.

 

Investment ” has the meaning specified in the preamble to Section 10.5.

 

“Issuers” means, collectively, the Subsidiary Issuers and the Company.

 

Leasehold ” of any Person means all of the right, title and interest of such Person as lessee or licensee in, to and under leases or licenses of land, improvements and/or fixtures.

 

Lenders ” has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

Leverage Ratio ” means on any date of determination the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Debt on such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended on or prior to such date; provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions (if any) actually made during such most recently ended Test Period.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the UCC or any similar recording or notice statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect as the foregoing).

 

Make-Whole Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.8.

 

Management Agreements ” means all material agreements entered into by any Credit Party with respect to the management of any Credit Party after giving effect to the Transactions (including consulting agreements and other management advisory agreements but excluding employment agreements).

 

Margin Stock ” has the meaning provided in Regulation U.

 

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Material ” means material in relation to the business, properties, assets, operations, liabilities, prospects or financial condition of the Credit Parties taken as a whole.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means (i) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, operations, liabilities, prospects or financial condition of the Credit Parties taken as a whole or (ii) a material adverse effect (x) on the rights or remedies of the holder of the Notes hereunder or under any other Finance Document or (y) on the ability of the Credit Parties taken as a whole to perform their obligations to the holders of the Notes hereunder or under any other Finance Document.

 

Memorandum ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

 

Merchandise Trust ” means a trust fund, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement established and administered by an Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor as required in accordance with applicable law to receive and administer the aggregate of all amounts derived from the sale of services and personal property, such as foundations, markers, memorials, memorial bases, monuments, urns, vases, vaults and caskets, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains.

 

Mortgaged Property ” means (i) each Real Property owned by any Credit Party and designated as a Mortgaged Property on Schedule 5.18 and (ii) each Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party and designated as a Mortgaged Property pursuant to Section 9.9.

 

Mortgages ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means (i) any plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to (or to which there is an obligation to contribute to) by any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate and that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and (ii) each such plan for the five year period immediately following the latest date on which any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan if, for purposes of this clause (ii), such Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate could currently incur any liability under such plan.

 

Net Cash Proceeds ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(c).

 

Net Sale Proceeds ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(c).

 

Notes ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.

 

Obligations ” means all obligations defined as “Guaranteed Obligations” in the Guarantee.

 

Offering Material ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.9.

 

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of a Credit Party whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

 

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Organization ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity (or the adjectival from thereof, where appropriate).

 

Parent ” means StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. dated as of September 20, 2004, as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Partnership Common Units ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.13.

 

Partnership Subordinated Units ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.13.

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

 

Permitted Acquisition ” means the non-hostile (approved by the board of directors or similar governing body of Acquired Person) acquisition by an Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor of assets constituting a business, division or product line of any Person organized in, and doing business solely within, the United States, not already a Subsidiary of the Parent, or of 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any such Person, which Person shall, as a result of such acquisition, become a Subsidiary of such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that: (A) the consideration paid by such Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor consists solely of (i) Partnership Common Units, (ii) cash, and (iii) any Seller Subordinated Debt in accordance with the requirements of Section 10.4; (B) in the case of the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Person, such Person (the “ Acquired Person ”) shall own no capital stock or other Equity Interests of any other Person unless the Acquired Person owns 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of such other Person; (C) the acquired business or assets constitute a Permitted Business; (D) the acquisition has been approved by the Company’s Board of Managers; (E) the receipt by the holders of Notes, not less than (x) thirty (30) days prior to the acquisition, of (i) the approval package to be presented to the Company’s Board of Managers and (ii) all appraisals completed in connection therewith, for any acquisition the consideration for which is greater than $5,000,000 and (y) ten (10) Business Days prior to the acquisition, the approval package to be presented to the Company’s Board of Managers, for any acquisition the consideration for which is less than or equal to $5,000,000; and (F) such acquisition is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding sentence, an acquisition which does not otherwise meet the requirements set forth above in the definition of “Permitted Acquisition” shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition if, and to the extent, the Required Holders agree in writing that such acquisition shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Business ” means any business engaged in or related to the cemetery and funeral home business in the United States and the provision of product and services in connection therewith.

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” means (i) those liens, encumbrances and other matters affecting title to any Real Property and found reasonably acceptable by the Collateral Agent, (ii) as to any particular Real Property at any time, such easements, encroachments,

 

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covenants, conditions, restrictions, rights of way, minor defects, irregularities or encumbrances on title which could not reasonably be expected to materially impair such Real Property for the purpose for which it is held by the mortgagor thereof, or the lien held by the Collateral Agent, (iii) zoning and other municipal ordinances which are not violated in any material respect by the existing improvements and the present use made by the mortgagor thereof of the premises, (iv) general real estate taxes and assessments not yet delinquent, and (v) such other similar items as the Collateral Agent may consent to (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

 

Permitted Liens ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.3.

 

Perpetual Care Trust ” means a trust fund, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement established and administered by an Issuer as required in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of receiving the aggregate of all amounts derived from the sale of interests in real property, or fixtures, including, without limitation, mausoleums, niches, columbaria, urns, or crypts, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains and set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement and administering such amounts for the perpetual care and maintenance of cemetery lots, graves, grounds, landscaping, roads, paths, parking lots, fences, mausoleums, columbaria, vaults, crypts, utilities, and other improvements, structures and embellishments.

 

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

 

Plan ” means (i) any pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), which is maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute of) any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate, and each such plan for the five year period immediately following the latest date on which any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan to the extent that any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate could, in the reasonable opinion of the holders of the Notes, reasonably be expected to have any liability under such Plan; and (ii) any other benefit arrangement, obligation or practice whether or not legally enforceable, to provide benefits, other than salary, as compensation for services rendered.

 

Pledge Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

 

Pledge Agreement Collateral ” means all “Collateral” as defined in the Pledge Agreement.

 

Preferred Equity ” as applied to the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Person, means capital stock or other Equity Interests of such Person (other than common stock or units of such Person) of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of any other class of such Person.

 

Prepayment Event ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(c).

 

12


Pro Forma Balance Sheet ” means the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP, as of June 30, 2004, calculated as if the Transactions and the incurrence of all Indebtedness (including the sale of the Notes and the incurrence of Loans under and as defined in the Credit Agreement) contemplated herein had occurred on such date.

 

Pro Forma Basis ” means, in connection with any calculation of compliance with any financial covenant or financial term, the calculation thereof after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Permitted Acquisition then being consummated as well as any other Permitted Acquisition consummated after the first day of the relevant Test Period or Calculation Period (in each case, based on the best available historical financial information provided by the Permitted Acquisition target(s) as of the date of delivery, whether prepared in accordance with GAAP or otherwise, and accepted by the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment), as the case may be, and on or prior to the date of the respective Permitted Acquisition then being effected, adjusted to eliminate extraordinary losses of the Permitted Acquisition target and expenses reasonably expected to be eliminated by the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to synergies and other efficiencies of the acquisition, and adjusted for income, gains and losses from any Permitted Acquisition’s Trust Accounts, using a net asset value of Perpetual Care Trusts multiplied by ten-year Treasury Rate plus 150 basis points and Merchandise Trusts multiplied by five-year Treasury Rate plus 150 basis points; provided that, for purposes of calculations pursuant to Section 9.12 to the extent applicable, such calculations shall also give effect on a pro forma basis to (a) the incurrence of any Indebtedness after the first day of the relevant Calculation Period as if such Indebtedness had been incurred (and the proceeds thereof applied) on the first day of the relevant Calculation Period and (b) the permanent repayment of any Indebtedness after the first day of the relevant Calculation Period as if such Indebtedness had been retired or redeemed on the first day of the relevant Calculation Period (in each case, based on the historical financial information described above).

 

Projections ” means the detailed projected consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries certified by a Senior Manager of the Parent for the five fiscal years after the Closing Date and made available to the holders of Notes on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

property ” or “ properties ” means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

 

QPAM Exemption ” means Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 issued by the United States Department of Labor.

 

Real Property ” of any Person means all of the right, title and interest of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including Leaseholds.

 

Receivable Rights ” has the meaning specified in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Recovery Event ” means the receipt by any Credit Party of any insurance or condemnation proceeds (other than proceeds from business interruption insurance) payable (i) by reason of theft, physical destruction or damage or any other similar event with respect to any

 

13


properties or assets of any Credit Party, (ii) by reason of any condemnation, taking, seizing or similar event with respect to any properties or assets of any Credit Party or (iii) under any policy of insurance required to be maintained under Section 9.1.

 

Regulation T ” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof.

 

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

 

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof.

 

Release ” means disposing, discharging, injecting, spilling, pumping, leaking, leaching, dumping, emitting, escaping, emptying, seeping, placing, pouring and the like, into or upon any land or water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.

 

Reportable Event ” means an event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period is waived under subsection .22, .23, .25, .27, or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.

 

Required Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates).

 

Responsible Officer ” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of a Credit Party, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement or a Finance Document.

 

Revolving Credit Facility ” means the making of Revolving Loans and similar extensions of credit (including, without limitation swing line loans and letters of credit) under and as defined in the Credit Agreement. The aggregate amount of Revolving Loans shall not exceed $12,500,000 at any time.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Secured Parties ” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

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

 

Security Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.

 

Security Agreement Collateral ” means all “Collateral” as defined in the Security Agreement.

 

14


Security Documents ” means the Mortgages (including any assignment of leases and rents) covering the Mortgaged Properties, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Collateral Assignment, the Collateral Account Agreement, and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 9.9.

 

Senior Financial Officer ” means, as to any Credit Party, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of such Credit Party, as applicable. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a “Senior Financial Officer” is a reference to a Senior Financial Officer of the Company.

 

Senior Manager ” means any chairman, president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer or similar officer of the General Partner, the Parent or the Company.

 

Standard & Poor’s ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person means and include (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity (other than a corporation) in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, has more than a 50% equity interest at the time; provided that no Trust Account shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary of the Parent that becomes a Guarantor as contemplated by Section 9.9(c).

 

Subsidiary Issuer ” means each Subsidiary of the Parent (other than the Company) which is an Issuer hereunder.

 

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination

 

15


value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, in either case as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contract.

 

Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Tax Allocation Agreements ” means any tax sharing or tax allocation agreements entered into by any Credit Party.

 

Test Period ” means each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then last ended, in each case taken as one accounting period.

 

Transactions ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.

 

Trust Accounts ” means, collectively, the Perpetual Care Trusts and Merchandise Trusts.

 

Trust Funds ” means, at the time of any determination thereof, in connection with the Trust Accounts, the aggregate of all amounts required by applicable law to be set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement.

 

Trust Income Receivables ” means income earned on funds in any Trust Account which have not been distributed to an Issuer and is shown as a receivable on the balance sheet or books and records of the Parent or such Issuer.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

Unfunded Current Liability ” of any Plan means the amount, if any, by which the actuarial present value of the accumulated plan benefits under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable thereto, each determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, based upon the actuarial assumptions used by the Plan’s actuary in the most recent annual valuation of the Plan.

 

16


EXHIBIT 1.1

 

[FORM OF NOTE]

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

(and Co-Issuers)

 

7.66% Senior Secured Note due 2009

 

No. R-

   New York, New York

$

   [Date]

PPN

    

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and each of the other undersigned, each a corporation, limited liability company or a limited partnership, as the case may be, organized under the laws of the State after its name (collectively with the Company, the “ Issuers ”) for value received, hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to                      , or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                      ] Dollars on September 20, 2009, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360- day year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid principal balance hereof from the date of this Note at the rate of 7.66% per annum, payable on March 20, June 20, September 20 and December 20 in each year, until the principal amount hereof shall become due and payable and to pay on demand interest on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) on any overdue payment of interest, at the rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) 9.66% and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest from time to time publicly announced by Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “prime” or “base” rate. Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest hereon shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of Citibank, N.A. or such other office or agency in New York, New York as designated by the Company.

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Secured Notes of the Company issued in an aggregate original principal amount of $80,000,000 pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 20, 2004 (the “ Note Purchase Agreement ”; unless defined herein, terms defined in the Note Purchase Agreement to be defined herein as defined therein) entered into by the Issuers with the institutional investors listed in Schedule A thereto, and is entitled to the benefits, and subject to the provisions, of the Note Purchase Agreement. This Note is secured by certain Security Documents referred to in the Note Purchase Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of certain Guarantees from time to time delivered pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and to an Intercreditor Agreement entered into pursuant thereto. As provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, this Note is subject to prepayment, in whole or in part, with or without a premium as specified in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Issuers may treat the

 


person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Issuers will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

Under certain circumstances as specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, the principal of this Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Note each Controlled Non-Profit shall be liable only for that portion of the Obligations from which it derives a direct benefit, and any Collateral of such Controlled Non-Profit shall only secure, or be utilized to repay, such portion of the Obligations.

 

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with New York law, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company

By    
   

Title:

 

[SUBSIDIARY ISSUERS]

By    
   

Title:

 

Exhibit 10.1


 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, as Borrower,

 

VARIOUS ADDITIONAL BORROWERS,

 

STONEMOR GP LLC, as Guarantor,

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P., as Guarantor,

 

VARIOUS LENDING INSTITUTIONS,

 

and

 

FLEET NATIONAL BANK

as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Letter of Credit Issuer

 


 

Dated September 20, 2004

 


 

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

   1

SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND ACQUISITIONS OF CREDIT

   27

2.1. C OMMITMENTS

   27

2.2. M INIMUM B ORROWING A MOUNTS , ETC .

   30

2.3. N OTICE OF B ORROWING

   30

2.4. D ISBURSEMENT OF F UNDS

   31

2.5. N OTES

   31

2.6. C ONVERSION OF L OANS

   32

2.7. P RO R ATA B ORROWINGS

   33

2.8. I NTEREST

   33

2.9. I NTEREST P ERIODS

   34

2.10. I NCREASED C OSTS ; I LLEGALITY ; ETC .

   35

2.11. C OMPENSATION

   37

2.12. C HANGE OF L ENDING O FFICE

   38

2.13. R EPLACEMENT OF L ENDERS

   39

2.14. B ORROWER F UNDS A DMINISTRATOR

   40

SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT

   41

3.1. L ETTERS OF C REDIT

   41

3.2. L ETTER OF C REDIT R EQUESTS

   42

3.3. L ETTER OF C REDIT P ARTICIPATIONS

   43

3.4. A GREEMENT TO R EPAY L ETTER OF C REDIT D RAWINGS

   45

3.5. I NCREASED C OSTS

   46

3.6. A PPLICABILITY OF ISP; C ONFLICTS ; ETC .

   46

SECTION 4. FEES; COMMITMENTS

   47

4.1. F EES

   47

4.2. V OLUNTARY T ERMINATION OR R EDUCTION OF U NUTILIZED C OMMITMENTS

   48

4.3. T ERMINATION OF C OMMITMENTS

   48

SECTION 5. PAYMENTS

   49

5.1. V OLUNTARY P REPAYMENTS

   49

5.2. M ANDATORY R EPAYMENTS

   50

5.3. M ETHOD AND P LACE OF P AYMENT

   53

5.4. N ET P AYMENTS

   53

SECTION 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL CREDIT EVENTS

   56

6.1. E XECUTION OF A GREEMENT ; N OTES

   56

6.2. O FFICER S C ERTIFICATE

   56

6.3. O PINIONS OF C OUNSEL

   56

6.4. C ORPORATE D OCUMENTS ; P ROCEEDINGS

   56

6.5. A DVERSE C HANGE , ETC .

   57

6.6. L ITIGATION

   57

6.7. A PPROVALS

   57

6.8. T ERMINATION OF E XISTING C REDIT A GREEMENTS

   57

6.9. N OTE P URCHASE A GREEMENT

   58

6.10. I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT

   59

6.11. S ECURITY D OCUMENTS ; ETC .

   59

6.12. M ATERIAL A GREEMENTS

   60

6.13. S OLVENCY C ERTIFICATE ; I NSURANCE C ERTIFICATES

   61

6.14. F INANCIAL I NFORMATION

   62

 

- i -


6.15. P AYMENT OF E XISTING I NDEBTEDNESS A GREEMENTS

   62

6.16. P AYMENT OF F EES

   62

SECTION 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL CREDIT EVENTS

   62

7.1. N O D EFAULT ; R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES

   62

7.2. N OTICE OF B ORROWING ; L ETTER OF C REDIT R EQUEST

   63

SECTION 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   63

8.1. C OMPANY S TATUS

   63

8.2. C OMPANY P OWER AND A UTHORITY

   63

8.3. N O V IOLATION

   64

8.4. L ITIGATION

   64

8.5. U SE OF P ROCEEDS ; M ARGIN R EGULATIONS

   65

8.6. G OVERNMENTAL A PPROVALS

   65

8.7. I NVESTMENT C OMPANY A CT

   65

8.8. P UBLIC U TILITY H OLDING C OMPANY A CT

   65

8.9. T RUE AND C OMPLETE D ISCLOSURE

   65

8.10. F INANCIAL C ONDITION ; F INANCIAL S TATEMENTS

   66

8.11. S ECURITY I NTERESTS

   67

8.12. C OMPLIANCE WITH ERISA

   67

8.13. C APITALIZATION

   69

8.14. S UBSIDIARIES

   69

8.15. I NTELLECTUAL P ROPERTY , ETC .

   69

8.16. C OMPLIANCE WITH S TATUTES ; A GREEMENTS , ETC .

   70

8.17. E NVIRONMENTAL M ATTERS

   70

8.18. P ROPERTIES

   71

8.19. L ABOR R ELATIONS

   71

8.20. T AX R ETURNS AND P AYMENTS

   71

8.21. E XISTING I NDEBTEDNESS

   72

8.22. I NSURANCE

   72

8.23. T RANSACTION

   72

8.24. T AX S HELTER R EGULATIONS

   72

8.25. C OMMON E NTERPRISE

   72

8.26. C OMPLIANCE WITH C EMETERY L AWS

   73

8.27. F OREIGN A SSETS C ONTROL R EGULATIONS , ETC .

   73

SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

   74

9.1. I NFORMATION C OVENANTS

   74

9.2. B OOKS , R ECORDS AND I NSPECTIONS

   77

9.3. I NSURANCE

   77

9.4. P AYMENT OF T AXES

   78

9.5. C ORPORATE F RANCHISES

   78

9.6. C OMPLIANCE WITH S TATUTES ; ETC .

   79

9.7. C OMPLIANCE WITH E NVIRONMENTAL L AWS

   79

9.8. ERISA

   80

9.9. G OOD R EPAIR

   81

9.10. E ND OF F ISCAL Y EARS ; F ISCAL Q UARTERS

   81

9.11. A DDITIONAL S ECURITY ; F URTHER A SSURANCES

   81

9.12. U SE OF P ROCEEDS

   83

9.13. O WNERSHIP OF S UBSIDIARIES

   83

9.14. P ERMITTED A CQUISITIONS

   83

9.15. M AINTENANCE OF C OMPANY S EPARATENESS

   84

9.16. C LEAN D OWN

   85

9.17. P ERFORMANCE OF O BLIGATIONS

   85

9.18. M ARGIN R EGULATIONS

   85

9.19. M AINTENANCE OF T RUST F UNDS AND T RUST A CCOUNTS

   85

 

- ii -


9.20. A MENDMENT TO N OTE P URCHASE D OCUMENT C OVENANTS

   85

SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

   86

10.1. C HANGES IN B USINESS ; ETC .

   86

10.2. C ONSOLIDATION ; M ERGER ; S ALE OR P URCHASE OF A SSETS ; ETC .

   86

10.3. L IENS

   88

10.4. I NDEBTEDNESS

   90

10.5. A DVANCES ; I NVESTMENTS ; L OANS

   91

10.6. L IMITATION ON D IVIDENDS AND R EDEMPTIONS

   92

10.7. T RANSACTIONS WITH A FFILIATES

   93

10.8. C ONSOLIDATED I NTEREST C OVERAGE R ATIO

   93

10.9. L EVERAGE R ATIO

   94

10.10. M INIMUM EBITDA

   94

10.11. T RUST F UNDS

   94

10.12. L IMITATION ON V OLUNTARY P AYMENTS AND M ODIFICATIONS OF I NDEBTEDNESS ; M ODIFICATIONS OF O RGANIZATION D OCUMENTS

   94

10.13. L IMITATION ON I SSUANCE OF E QUITY I NTERESTS

   95

10.14. L IMITATION ON C ERTAIN R ESTRICTIONS ON S UBSIDIARIES

   95

10.15. L IMITATION ON THE C REATION OF S UBSIDIARIES AND J OINT V ENTURES

   95

10.16. L IMITATION ON F EES FOR I NTELLECTUAL P ROPERTY , ETC .

   96

SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

   96

11.1. P AYMENTS

   96

11.2. R EPRESENTATIONS , ETC .

   96

11.3. C OVENANTS

   96

11.4. D EFAULT U NDER O THER A GREEMENTS

   96

11.5. B ANKRUPTCY , ETC .

   97

11.6. ERISA

   97

11.7. S ECURITY D OCUMENTS

   98

11.8. G UARANTY

   98

11.9. J UDGMENTS

   98

11.10. O WNERSHIP

   99

11.11. I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT

   99

SECTION 12. THE AGENTS

   99

12.1. D ELEGATION OF D UTIES

   100

12.2. L IABILITY OF A GENTS

   100

12.3. R ELIANCE BY A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT

   100

12.4. N OTICE OF D EFAULT

   101

12.5. C REDIT D ECISION ; D ISCLOSURE OF I NFORMATION BY THE A GENTS

   101

12.6. I NDEMNIFICATION

   102

12.7. A GENTS IN THEIR I NDIVIDUAL C APACITIES

   102

12.8. S UCCESSOR A GENTS

   103

12.9. A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT M AY F ILE P ROOFS OF C LAIM

   103

12.10. C OLLATERAL AND G UARANTY M ATTERS

   104

12.11. O THER A GENTS ; A RRANGERS AND M ANAGERS

   105

SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS

   105

13.1. A MENDMENT OR W AIVER

   105

13.2. N OTICES AND O THER C OMMUNICATIONS ; F ACSIMILE C OPIES

   106

13.3. N O W AIVER ; C UMULATIVE R EMEDIES

   107

13.4. A TTORNEY C OSTS , E XPENSES AND T AXES

   107

13.5. I NDEMNIFICATION BY THE B ORROWERS

   108

13.6. P AYMENTS S ET A SIDE

   109

13.7. S UCCESSORS AND A SSIGNS

   109

13.8. C ONFIDENTIALITY

   113

 

- iii -


13.9. S ET - OFF

   114

13.10. I NTEREST R ATE L IMITATION

   114

13.11. C OUNTERPARTS

   115

13.12. I NTEGRATION

   115

13.13. S URVIVAL

   115

13.14. S EVERABILITY

   115

13.15. G OVERNING L AW

   115

13.16. W AIVER OF R IGHT TO T RIAL BY J URY

   116

13.17. USA PATRIOT A CT N OTICE

   116

13.18. L IMITATION ON A DDITIONAL A MOUNTS ; C ASH C OLLATERAL , ETC .

   116

13.19. P AYMENTS P RO R ATA ; S HARING OF P AYMENTS

   117

13.20. C ALCULATIONS ; C OMPUTATIONS

   118

13.21. E FFECTIVENESS

   118

13.22. H EADINGS D ESCRIPTIVE

   118

13.23. D OMICILE OF L OANS AND C OMMITMENTS

   118

SECTION 14. THE CREDIT PARTY GUARANTY

   118

14.1. T HE C REDIT P ARTY G UARANTY

   118

14.2. B ANKRUPTCY

   119

14.3. N ATURE OF L IABILITY

   119

14.4. I NDEPENDENT O BLIGATION

   120

14.5. A UTHORIZATION

   120

14.6. R ELIANCE

   121

14.7. S UBORDINATION

   121

14.8. W AIVER

   121

14.9. A CKNOWLEDGEMENT OF J OINT AND S EVERAL L IABILITY

   123

 

SCHEDULE I    List of Lenders and Commitments
SCHEDULE II    Administrative Agent Addresses
SCHEDULE III    Real Properties
SCHEDULE IV    Existing Indebtedness
SCHEDULE V    Pension Plans
SCHEDULE VI    Existing Investments
SCHEDULE VII    Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE VIII    Insurance
SCHEDULE IX    Existing Liens
SCHEDULE X    Capitalization
SCHEDULE XI    Litigation
SCHEDULE XII    Appraised Properties

 

EXHIBIT A

 

-

  Form of Notice of Borrowing
EXHIBIT B-1   -   Form of Acquisition Note
EXHIBIT B-2   -   Form of Revolving Note
EXHIBIT B-3   -   Form of Swingline Note
EXHIBIT C   -   Form of Letter of Credit Request
EXHIBIT D   -   Form of Section 5.4(b)(ii) Certificate
EXHIBIT E   -   Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
EXHIBIT F   -   Form of Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT G   -   Form of Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT H   -   Form of Security Agreement

 

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EXHIBIT I

  -   Form of Solvency Certificate

EXHIBIT J

  -   Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

EXHIBIT K

  -   Form of Intercreditor Agreement

EXHIBIT L

  -   Seller Subordination Provisions

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated September 20, 2004, among StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), StoneMor Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operating Company ”), the Subsidiaries of the Operating Company set forth on Schedule VII hereto (together with the Operating Company, each individually a “ Borrower ” and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Lenders from time to time party hereto, and Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America company, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”). Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein and defined in Section 1 are used herein as so defined.

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Lenders are willing to make available to the Borrowers the credit facilities provided for herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

SECTION 1. Definitions .

 

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings herein specified unless the context otherwise requires. Defined terms in this Agreement shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural number the singular.

 

Accommodation Payment ” has the meaning provided in Section 14.9(c).

 

Account Receivable ” means an “account”, “tangible chattel paper” or “note”, as defined in the UCC, in favor of a Borrower.

 

Act ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.17.

 

Acquired Person ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Permitted Acquisition.

 

Acquisition Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender with an Acquisition Loan Commitment or with outstanding Acquisition Loans.

 

Acquisition Loan Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule I directly below the column entitled “Acquisition Loan Commitment” as the same may be partially reduced or terminated pursuant to Sections 4.2, 4.3 and/or 11.

 

Acquisition Loan Maturity Date ” means September 20, 2008.

 

Acquisition Loans ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1(a).

 


Acquisition Note ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.5(a).

 

Additional Security Documents ” has the meaning provided in Section 9.11.

 

Administrative Agent ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successor to the Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 12.9.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including but not limited to all directors and officers of such Person), controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person; provided , however , that for purposes of Section 10.7, an Affiliate of any Credit Party shall include any Person that directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of the partnership interests or membership interests in the Partnership or General Partner, any Senior Manager, or any director or manager of any Credit Party.

 

Agent-Related Persons ” means the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, together with their respective Affiliates (including, in the case of Fleet, Banc of America Securities LLC, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole book manager), and the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

 

Aggregate Consideration ” means, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, the sum (without duplication) of (i) the fair market value of the Partnership Common Units (based on the average closing trading price of the Partnership Common Units for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition on the stock exchange on which the Partnership Common Units are listed or, if the Partnership Common Units are not so listed, the good faith determination of the senior management of the General Partner) issued (or to be issued) as consideration in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash paid (or to be paid) by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries as consideration in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (including, without limitation, payment, as consideration, of fees and costs and expenses in connection therewith) and the contingent cash purchase price or other earnout obligations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries incurred in connection therewith (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner), (iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness assumed, incurred and/or issued in connection with such Permitted Acquisition to the extent permitted by Section 10.4, (iv) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner) of any Preferred Equity issued in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and (v) the fair market value (determined in good faith by senior management of the General Partner) of all other consideration payable in connection with such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may be from time to time modified, amended, restated and/or supplemented.

 

Applicable Margin ” means, subject to adjustment pursuant to the following provisions of this definition, a percentage per annum equal to the related Level III margin, provided that, commencing with the certificate delivered in accordance with the Section 9.1(e) for the fiscal quarter of the Partnership ended March 31, 2005, from and after each day of

 

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delivery (each, a “ Start Date ”) of the most recent certificate delivered in accordance with the Section 9.1(e) (each an “ Officer’s Certificate ”), to and including the applicable End Date described below, the Applicable Margin for any Tranche (and Type) of Loans shall be as set forth below opposite the Leverage Ratio indicated in such Officer’s Certificate (subject to Permitted Acquisition adjustments described below):

 

    

Leverage Ratio


   Revolving and
Acquisition Loan
Eurodollar Margin
and Letter of
Credit Fee


    Revolving and
Acquisition Loan
(and Swingline
Loan) Base Rate
Margin


    Unused
Commitment
Fee


 

Level I

  

Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.0

   2.50 %   0.00 %   0.375 %

Level II

  

Greater than 1.50 to 1.0 but less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0

   3.00 %   0.50 %   0.50 %

Level III

  

Greater than 2.50 to 1.0

   3.50 %   1.00 %   0.50 %

 

The Leverage Ratio shall be determined based on the most recent Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(e); provided that , at the time of the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition, an Authorized Officer of the General Partner shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate setting forth the calculation of the Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis (solely to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions, if any, consummated on or prior to the date of the delivery of such certificate and any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection therewith) as of the last day of the last Calculation Period ended prior to the date on which such Permitted Acquisition is consummated for which financial statements have been made available (or were required to be made available) pursuant to Section 9.1(a) or (b), as the case may be, and the date of such consummation shall be deemed to be a Start Date and the Applicable Margins for the relevant Tranche and Type of Loan which shall be thereafter applicable (until same are changed or cease to apply in accordance with the following sentences) shall be based upon the Leverage Ratio as so calculated. The Applicable Margins so determined for such Tranche and Type of Loan shall apply from the relevant Start Date to the earliest of (x) the date on which the next certificate is delivered to the Administrative Agent, (y) the date on which the next Permitted Acquisition is consummated or (z) the date which is 45 days following the last day of the Test Period in which the previous Start Date occurred (such earliest date, the “ End Date ”), at which time, if no certificate has been delivered to the Administrative Agent indicating an entitlement to new (or a continuing entitlement to previously effective) Applicable Margins for such Tranche and Type of Loan (and thus commencing a new Start Date), the Applicable Margins for such Tranche and Type of Loan shall be those set forth at Level III.

 

Approved Fund ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.7(g).

 

Approved Installment Agreement ” means a pre-need installment agreement, in a form currently approved for use by all applicable governmental authorities (as such form may be

 

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modified from time to time in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), and complying with all applicable laws, between a Borrower and an individual pursuant to which such Borrower has agreed to provide for and sell to such individual cemetery services and/or Cemetery Property.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, transfer or other disposition by any Credit Party to any Person other than another Credit Party of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other Equity Interests of another Person, but excluding the sale by such Person of its own Equity Interests) of such Credit Party other than sales, transfers or other dispositions of (a) inventory, worn or obsolete equipment, and Cemetery Property made in the ordinary course of business, (b) real property made in the ordinary course of business, while no Default or Event of Default exists, to the extent the aggregate value of such real property disposed of in any fiscal year is not in excess of $3,000,000, and (c) Equity Interests in the Partnership made by the General Partner as required by the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J (appropriately completed).

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, means, on any date, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease.

 

Authorized Officer ” means, with respect to (i) delivering financial information and officer’s certificates pursuant to this Agreement, the chief financial officer, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the corporate controller, any treasurer or other financial officer of the General Partner and (ii) any other matter in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, any officer (or a person or persons so designated by such officer) of the General Partner or the Operating Company, as the case may be, in each case to the extent reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.5.

 

Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Fleet as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Fleet based upon various factors including Fleet’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some credits, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Fleet shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Loan ” means each Loan bearing interest at the rates provided in Section 2.8(a) (subject to any increases pursuant to Section 2.8(c)).

 

Borrower ” and “ Borrowers ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

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Borrowing ” means and include (i) the borrowing of Swingline Loans from Fleet on a given date and (ii) the borrowing of one Type of Loan pursuant to a single Tranche by the Borrowers from all of the Lenders having Commitments (and/or outstanding Loans) with respect to such Tranche on a pro rata basis on a given date (or resulting from conversions on a given date), having in the case of Eurodollar Loans the same Interest Period; provided that Base Rate Loans incurred pursuant to Section 2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.

 

Borrowing Base ” means, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of eighty percent (80%) of aggregate Eligible Accounts Receivables; provided however that, the Administrative Agent may, in its reasonable discretion, adjust the advance rate set forth above, set up reserves or change the definition of Eligible Accounts Receivable from time to time as the Administrative Agent determines is necessary based on the audits conducted by the Administrative Agent or other information made available to the Administrative Agent.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a full and complete certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, certified as true, correct and complete by an Authorized Officer.

 

Business Day ” means (i) for all purposes other than as covered by clause (ii) below, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close and (ii) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in U.S. dollar deposits in the interbank Eurodollar market.

 

Calculation Period ” has the meaning provided in Section 9.14.

 

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, all expenditures by such Person which should be capitalized in accordance with GAAP during such period and are, or are required to be, included in property, plant or equipment reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and repairs which should be so capitalized in accordance with GAAP) and, without duplication, the amount of all Capitalized Lease Obligations incurred by such Person during such period.

 

Capital Lease ,” as applied to any Person, means any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means all obligations under Capital Leases of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means: (i) marketable securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of

 

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the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state of any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from S&P or Moody’s; (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, issued by any Lender or any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 (each Lender and each such commercial bank being herein called a “ Cash Equivalent Bank ”); and (v) Eurodollar time deposits having a maturity of less than one year purchased directly from any Cash Equivalent Bank (provided such deposit is with such Cash Equivalent Bank or any other Cash Equivalent Bank).

 

Cemetery Management Agreement ” an agreement pursuant to which any Borrower agrees to manage the operations of any Person in the business of providing cemetery services and/or Cemetery Property.

 

Cemetery Property ” means, at any time as to any Borrower, such Borrower’s interest in its real or personal property of the type sold or transferred pursuant to Approved Installment Agreements which property (a) has not, at such time, been sold or transferred to, and (b) is not under contract to be sold or transferred to, any other Person.

 

Certificate of Indebtedness ” means an agreement delivered to a Borrower from a non-profit cemetery which evidences an enforceable obligation to pay money together with a right to vote in connection with all shareholder decisions.

 

Change of Control ” means, with respect to any Person, an event or series of events by which:

 

(a) any two of the individuals acting as chairman, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Partnership on the date hereof shall cease to hold such positions (unless replaced by individuals reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders within 90 days after any such individual ceases to hold such position);

 

(b) any Person or group of Person, which do not, on the Effective Date, hold Equity Interests in the Partnership or the General Partner, thereafter obtain beneficial ownership or voting control of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Equity Interests in the Partnership or the General Partner;

 

(c) the General Partner ceases to act as the sole general partner of the Partnership;

 

(d) the Partnership ceases to own 100% of the Equity Interests in the Operating Company; or

 

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(e) except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, the Operating Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interest in each of the other Borrowers.

 

Change in Law ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.6.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to the Code are to the Code, as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

Collateral ” means all of the Collateral as defined in each of the Security Documents.

 

Collateral Agent ” means Fleet, acting as collateral agent for the Secured Creditors.

 

Collective Bargaining Agreements ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.

 

Commitment ” means any of the commitments of any Lender, i.e. , whether the Acquisition Loan Commitment or the Revolving Loan Commitment.

 

Company ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity (or the adjectival form thereof, where appropriate).

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, plus , in each case to the extent actually deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, without duplication, (i) consolidated interest expense of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, (ii) provision for income taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) non-cash cost for Cemetery Property and real property sold, (v) any extraordinary losses, (vi) losses from sales of assets other than inventory and Cemetery Property and real property sold in the ordinary course of business, (vii) other non-cash items (including, without limitation, one-time charges associated with “cheap stock” compensation expense), and (viii) reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction and the restructuring of the Existing Credit Agreement, minus , in each case to the extent actually included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, without duplication, (i) any extraordinary gains, (ii) gains from sales of assets other than inventory and Cemetery Property and real property sold in the ordinary course of business, (iii) any write-downs of non-current assets relating to impairments or the sale of non-current assets, incurred in connection with stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar equity rights, (iv) the amount of non-cash gains during such period (other than as a result of deferral of purchase price with respect to notes or installment sales contracts received in connection with sales of Cemetery Property); and (v) other non-cash items. Consolidated EBITDA shall be adjusted for any changes in net Deferred Revenue (excluding Deferred Margin), net Accounts Receivable, Merchandise Liability (including Merchandise Liabilities converted to Accounts Payable in the normal course of business and to be paid within 15 days of the date of determination) and Merchandise Trust (excluding any change in Trust Income Receivable), as each such term is

 

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defined in the consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership, but excluding any increases pursuant to purchase accounting pursuant to future acquisitions.

 

Consolidated Funded Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, for the Partnership and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including, without limitation, (i) all Obligations hereunder; provided that, if as of any date of determination the Borrowers during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding such date have reduced the amount of Interim Borrowings to not more than $5,000,000 for any 30 consecutive day period during such period as contemplated by Section 9.16 hereof, the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans to be included for these purposes shall be the lesser of (x) $5,000,000 and (y) the maximum outstanding amount of Revolving Loans that was outstanding during the most recent 30 consecutive day period, (ii) all Seller Subordinated Debt and (iii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments), (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all direct obligations arising under letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (e) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (f) all Contingent Obligations with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, and (g) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Partnership or such Subsidiary.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” for any period means the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Interest Expense for such period.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net after tax income (or loss) of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that in determining Consolidated Net Income of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries (i) the net income of any of Person which is not a Subsidiary of the Partnership or is accounted for by the Partnership by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the payment of dividends or disbursements by such Person to the Partnership or a Subsidiary of the Partnership during such period, and (ii) except for determinations expressly required to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or all or substantially all of the property or assets of such Person are acquired by a Subsidiary shall be excluded from such determination.

 

Consolidated Net Interest Expense ” means, for any period, (i) the total consolidated interest expense of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries for such period (calculated without regard to any limitations on payment thereof) payable in respect of any Indebtedness plus (ii) without duplication, that portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis representing the interest factor for such period.

 

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Contingent Obligations ” means as to any Person any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (“ primary obligations ”) of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (y) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided , however , that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection or standard contractual indemnities entered into, in each case in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Controlled Non-Profit ” means a Borrower which (a) is organized as a non-profit entity, whether pursuant to Section 501 of the Code or otherwise, or (b) which has contracted with any Borrower for the provisions of services under a Cemetery Management Agreement; provided that, such term shall not, in any case, be deemed to include Willowbrook Cemetery.

 

Conversion ” means the transactions pursuant to which Cornerstone Family Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and various of their Affiliates reorganize by forming the General Partner, the Partnership, certain of the Borrowers and certain other Affiliates, for the purpose of the Partnership qualifying as a publicly traded limited partnership under Section 7704 of the Code, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of Form S-1.

 

Credit Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement, each Security Document and any other guarantees or security documents executed and delivered for the benefit of the Secured Creditors in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.

 

Credit Event ” means the making of a Loan (other than a Revolving Loan made pursuant to a Mandatory Borrowing) or the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

 

Credit Party ” means each of the General Partner, the Partnership and the Borrowers.

 

Credit Party Guaranty ” means the guaranty of the General Partner, the Partnership and the Borrowers pursuant to Section 14.

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief

 

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laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default ” means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender with respect to which a Lender Default is in effect.

 

Documents ” means and include (i) the Credit Documents, and (ii) the Note Purchase Documents.

 

Effective Date ” means the date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 6 hereto have been met to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

 

Eligible Account Receivable ” means an Account Receivable of a Borrower (other than a Controlled Non-Profit) that meets all of the following requirements on its date of invoice or other origination date and continuing thereafter until collected:

 

(a) such Account Receivable represents a bona fide transaction evidenced by an Approved Installment Agreement;

 

(b) an installment, or portion thereof, under such Account Receivable has been paid within the immediately preceding sixty (60) days and such Account Receivable has not been repudiated by the related account debtor;

 

(c) such Account Receivable, to the extent evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of any kind, is evidenced by only one original which is kept at the chief executive office (or, if required by law, the applicable local office) of the applicable Borrower, provided that, if required by law, such Borrower may deliver the original to a trustee for a Trust Account and/or may deliver an additional original to the account debtor thereon;

 

(d) the related Approved Installment Agreement, (i) to the extent created or entered into after the date hereof, shall be stamped or stickered on its face to indicate that has been assigned to Fleet, in its capacity as collateral agent for various secured creditors pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, and (ii) otherwise shall be stored in a filing cabinet prominently marked to appropriately indicate that the contents thereof have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as noted above;

 

(e) the account debtor with respect to such Account Receivable is not insolvent or the subject of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings of any kind;

 

(f) such Account Receivable is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the account debtor with respect thereto and is not subject to any present, or contingent, and the Borrower has no knowledge or reason to believe there are any facts which are the basis for any future, offset or counterclaim or other defense on the part of such account debtor, including, without limitation, any account payable owing by such Person to such account debtor;

 

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(g) such Account Receivable shall be subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), subject to no Lien, except for Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and other Permitted Liens;

 

(h) all statutory rescission periods with respect to each such Account Receivable have ended; and

 

(i) such Account Receivable is not deemed ineligible by the Administrative Agent;

 

provided that, for the purpose of calculating the Borrowing Base, the amount of any Eligible Account Receivable which will be included in such calculation will be equal to the gross amount of such Eligible Account Receivable, less, with respect to such Eligible Account Receivable, (a) all collection reserves, (b) without duplication, all imputed interest earnings, (c) the portion of such Eligible Account Receivable required to be paid into any Trust Account, and (d) any unpaid sales commission.

 

Eligible Assignee ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.7(g).

 

Employee Benefit Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.

 

Employment Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.

 

End Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Environmental Claims ” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of non-compliance or violation, investigations or proceedings relating in any way to any liability, potential for liability, violation, or alleged violation by or of any Credit Party under any Environmental Law (hereafter “ Claims ”) or any permit issued to any Credit Party under any such law, including, without limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, and (b) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment.

 

Environmental Law ” means any federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy having the force and effect of law, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect, in each case as amended, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment relating to the environment, or Hazardous Materials or the protection of human health and safety.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person means any and all capital stock, limited or general partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests, beneficial interests in a trust (other than a Trust Account), shares, interests, rights to purchase or acquire, warrants, options, participations, Certificates of Indebtedness, or other equivalents of or interest in (however designated) equity of such Person.

 

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ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of ERISA, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) which together with any Credit Party would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code and any general partnership of which any Credit Party is or has been a general partner.

 

Eurodollar Loans ” means each Loan bearing interest at the rates provided in Section 2.8(b) (subject to any increases pursuant to Section 2.8(c)).

 

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 27, 1999, among Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as borrower, certain financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as a lender, administrative agent and as collateral agent, as such agreement has been amended, modified and supplemented from time to time through the Effective Date.

 

Existing Indebtedness ” has the meaning provided in Section 8.21.

 

Existing Indebtedness Agreements ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.

 

Facing Fee ” has the meaning provided in Section 4.1(c).

 

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the

 

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Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Fleet on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

Fees ” means all amounts payable pursuant to, or referred to in, Section 4.1.

 

Fleet ” means Fleet National Bank, in its individual capacity, and any successor corporation thereto by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

Form S-1 ” means the Partnership’s Form S-1 Registration Statement first filed with the SEC on April 9, 2004, as amended prior to the Effective Date, and declared effective with the SEC.

 

Fund ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.7(g).

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time; it being understood and agreed that determinations in accordance with GAAP for purposes of Applicable Margins and Sections 5.2, 9.14 and 10, including defined terms as used therein, and for all purposes of determining the Leverage Ratio, are subject (to the extent provided therein) to Section 13.20(a).

 

General Partner ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

GP Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of September 20, 2004, as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Guaranteed Obligations ” means (i) as to any Borrower, all obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities of any other Borrower owing under each Swap Contract entered into by such other Borrower with any Swap Creditor, whether now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance by each such other Borrower with all terms, conditions and agreements contained therein and (ii) as to the General Partner and the Partnership, (x) the principal and interest on each Note issued to each Lender, and all Loans made under this Agreement, all reimbursement obligations and Unpaid Drawings with respect to Letters of Credit, together with all the other obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees and interest thereon) of any other Credit Party to any Secured Creditor now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and each other Credit Document and the due performance and compliance by the Credit Parties with all the terms, conditions and agreements contained in this Agreement and each other Credit Document to which it is a party and (y) all obligations (including

 

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obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities of the Borrowers owing under each Swap Contract entered into by any Borrower with any Swap Creditor, whether now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance by each Credit Party with all terms, conditions and agreements contained therein.

 

Guarantor ” means each Credit Party in its capacity as a guarantor of its Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to Section 14.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means (a) any petrochemical or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; and (b) any chemicals, materials or substances either (i) defined by or pursuant to any Environmental Law as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “restricted hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restrictive hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants”, “hazardous air pollutants,” “air pollutant,” or “pollutant,” or (ii) otherwise regulated by an Environmental Law.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) all Obligations and other indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) the deferred purchase price of assets or services payable to the sellers thereof or any of such seller’s assignees which in accordance with GAAP would be shown on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person but excluding deferred rent and trade payables not overdue by more than 90 days, both as determined in accordance with GAAP, (iii) the amount under all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, including all Letter of Credit Outstandings, (iv) all Indebtedness of a second Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed; such amount, for purposes of this clause (iv) being limited to the value of such property, (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations of such Person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e. , take-or-pay and similar obligations, (vii) all obligations under any Swap Contract, (viii) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, and (ix) all Synthetic Lease Obligations, provided that Indebtedness shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.

 

Indebtedness To Be Refinanced ” means all of the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.5.

 

Indemnitees ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.5.

 

Intercompany Loan ” means a loan permitted pursuant to Section 10.5(v).

 

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Intercompany Note ” means any promissory note evidencing an Intercompany Loan.

 

Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.10.

 

Interest Determination Date ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the second Business Day prior to the commencement of any Interest Period relating to such Eurodollar Loan.

 

Interest Period ” with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, means the interest period applicable thereto, as determined pursuant to Section 2.9.

 

Interim Borrowing ” means any Revolving Loan designated by the Borrowers in a Notice of Borrowing as being for the purpose of funding a regularly scheduled quarterly distribution by the Partnership in accordance with the Partnership Agreement.

 

Investment ” has the meaning provided in the preamble to Section 10.5.

 

ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

L/C Participant ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.3(a).

 

L/C Supportable Indebtedness ” means (i) obligations of the Borrowers or its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to insurance obligations and workers’ compensation, surety bonds and other similar statutory obligations, (ii) performance obligations under supply, service or construction contracts, including, without limitation, bid and/or performance and/or payment bonds or guarantees related to the foregoing and (iii) such other obligations of the Borrowers as are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer and otherwise permitted to exist pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

Leasehold ” of any Person means all of the right, title and interest of such Person as lessee or licensee in, to and under leases or licenses of land, improvements and/or fixtures.

 

Lender ” means each financial institution listed on Schedule I, as well as any Person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.7(b).

 

Lender Default ” means (i) the wrongful refusal (which has not been retracted) of a Lender to make available its portion of any Borrowing (including any Mandatory Borrowing) or to fund its portion of any unreimbursed payment under Section 3.3 or (ii) a Lender having notified the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrowers that it does not intend to comply with its obligations under Section 2.1(a), 2.1(b), 2.1(d) or 3.3 in circumstances where such non-compliance would constitute a breach of such Lender’s obligations under the respective Section.

 

Letter of Credit ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a).

 

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Letter of Credit Fee ” has the meaning provided in Section 4.1(b).

 

Letter of Credit Issuer ” means Fleet, any affiliate of Fleet which, at the request of a Borrower, agrees in such Lender’s (or affiliate’s) sole discretion to become a Letter of Credit Issuer for purposes of issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.

 

Letter of Credit Outstandings ” means, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (i) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time and (ii) the aggregate amount of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of all Letters of Credit at such time.

 

Letter of Credit Request ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.2(a).

 

Leverage Ratio ” means on any date of determination the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Debt on such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended on or prior to such date; provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions (if any) actually made during such most recently ended Test Period.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the UCC or any similar recording or notice statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect as the foregoing).

 

Loan ” means each Acquisition Loan, each Revolving Loan and each Swingline Loan.

 

Management Agreements ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.

 

Mandatory Borrowing ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1(d).

 

Margin Regulations ” means Regulations T, U and X, collectively.

 

Margin Stock ” has the meaning provided in Regulation U.

 

Material ” means material in relation to the business, properties, assets, operations, liabilities, prospects or financial condition of the Credit Parties taken as a whole.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means (i) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, operations, liabilities, prospects or financial condition of the Credit Parties taken as a whole or (ii) a material adverse effect (x) on the rights or remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Credit Document or (y) on the ability of the Credit Parties taken as a whole to perform their obligations to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Credit Document.

 

Maturity Date ” with respect to any Tranche of Loans, means the Acquisition Loan Maturity Date, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date or the Swingline Expiry Date, as the case may be.

 

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Maximum Rate ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.10.

 

Maximum Swingline Amount ” means $5,000,000.

 

Merchandise Trust ” means a trust fund, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement established and administered by a Borrower as required in accordance with applicable law to receive and administer the aggregate of all amounts derived from the sale of services and personal property, such as foundations, markers, memorials, memorial bases, monuments, urns, vases, vaults and caskets, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains.

 

Minimum Borrowing Amount ” means (i) for Revolving Loans, $500,000, (ii) for Acquisition Loans, $1,000,000, and (iii) for Swingline Loans, $100,000.

 

Moody’s ” mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Mortgage ” means each mortgage, deed to secure debt or deed of trust pursuant to which any Credit Party has granted to the Collateral Agent a mortgage lien on such Credit Party’s Mortgaged Property.

 

Mortgage Policies ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.11.

 

Mortgaged Property ” means (i) each Real Property owned by any Credit Party and designated as a Mortgaged Property on Schedule III and (ii) each Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party and designated as a Mortgaged Property pursuant to Section 9.11.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means (i) any plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to (or to which there is an obligation to contribute to) by any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate and that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and (ii) each such plan for the five year period immediately following the latest date on which any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan if, for purposes of this clause (ii), such Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate could currently incur any liability under such plan.

 

Net Cash Proceeds ” means, for any event requiring a repayment of Loans pursuant to Section 5.2, the gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) received from such event, net, without duplication, of the related Credit Party’s (i) reasonable transaction costs (including, as applicable, any underwriting, brokerage or other customary discounts and selling commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees and expenses associated therewith) relating to such event at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such event and (ii) the estimated marginal increase in income taxes which will be payable by the Partnership’s consolidated group with respect to the fiscal year in which the event occurs as a result of such event.

 

Net Sale Proceeds ” means for any Asset Sale, the gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or

 

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otherwise, but only as and when received) received from any sale of assets, net, without duplication, of the related Credit Party’s (i) reasonable transaction costs (including, without limitation, any underwriting, brokerage or other customary discounts and selling commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees and expenses, including title and recording expenses and sale and transfer taxes, associated therewith) and payments of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale, (ii) the amount of such gross cash proceeds required to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement) which is secured by the respective assets which were sold, and (iii) the estimated marginal increase in income taxes which will be payable by the Partnership’s consolidated group with respect to the fiscal year in which the sale occurs as a result of such sale. Net Sale Proceeds shall not include any trade-in-credits or purchase price reductions received by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an exchange of equipment for replacement equipment that is the functional equivalent of such exchanged equipment.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

 

Non-Interim Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of a Revolving Loan which is not an Interim Borrowing.

 

Note ” means each Acquisition Note, each Revolving Note and the Swingline Note.

 

Note Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement 7.66% Senior Secured Notes due 2009, dated as of September 20, 2004, from the Credit Parties to the Purchasers, as the same may be amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

 

Note Purchase Documents ” means the Note Purchase Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, and the related guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements, mortgages, notes and other agreements and instruments entered into in connection with the Note Purchase Agreement, in each case as the same may be amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

 

Notice of Borrowing ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.3(a).

 

Notice of Conversion ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.6.

 

Notice Office ” means, with respect to notices for payments, requests for credit extensions or other notices, the relevant office of the Administrative Agent as set forth on Schedule II hereto or such other office as the Administrative Agent may designate to the Operating Company and the Lenders from time to time.

 

Obligations ” means all amounts, direct or indirect, contingent or absolute, of every type or description, and at any time existing, owing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Letter of Credit Issuer or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

 

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Officer’s Certificate ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Operating Company ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Participant ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.7(d).

 

Partnership ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P. dated as of September 20, 2004, as may be amended, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Partnership Common Units ” has the meaning provided in Section 8.13.

 

Partnership Subordinated Units ” has the meaning provided in Section 8.13.

 

Payment Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account, as set forth on Schedule II, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Operating Company and the Lenders of.

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

 

Pension Plan ” has the meaning provided in Section 8.12.

 

Permitted Acquisition ” means the non-hostile (approved by the board of directors or similar governing body of Acquired Person) acquisition by a Borrower of assets constituting a business, division or product line of any Person organized in, and doing business solely within, the United States, not already a Subsidiary of the Partnership, or of 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any such Person, which Person shall, as a result of such acquisition, become a Subsidiary of such Borrower, provided that: (A) the consideration paid by such Borrower consists solely of (i) Partnership Common Units, (ii) cash (including proceeds of Acquisition Loans), and (iii) any Seller Subordinated Debt in accordance with the requirements of Section 10.4; (B) in the case of the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Person, such Person (the “ Acquired Person ”) shall own no capital stock or other Equity Interests of any other Person unless the Acquired Person owns 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of such other Person; (C) the acquired business or assets constitute a Permitted Business; (D) the acquisition has been approved by the Operating Company’s Board of Managers; (E) the receipt by the Administrative Agent and Lenders, not less than (x) thirty (30) days prior to the acquisition, of (i) the approval package to be presented to the Operating Company’s Board of Managers and (ii) all appraisals completed in connection therewith, for any acquisition the consideration for which is greater than $5,000,000 and (y) ten (10) Business Days prior to the acquisition, the approval package to be presented to the Operating Company’s Board of Managers, for any acquisition the consideration for which is less than or equal to $5,000,000; and (F) Required Lender approval (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) for any acquisition with an Aggregate Consideration in excess of $2,500,000 and any series of

 

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acquisitions aggregating over $20,000,000 in Aggregate Consideration in any consecutive twelve month period shall be required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding sentence, an acquisition which does not otherwise meet the requirements set forth above in the definition of “Permitted Acquisition” shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition if, and to the extent, the Required Lenders agree in writing that such acquisition shall constitute a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Business ” means any business engaged in or related to the cemetery and funeral home business in the United States and the provision of product and services in connection therewith.

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” means (i) those liens, encumbrances and other matters affecting title to any Real Property and found reasonably acceptable by the Collateral Agent, (ii) as to any particular Real Property at any time, such easements, encroachments, covenants, conditions, restrictions, rights of way, minor defects, irregularities or encumbrances on title which could not reasonably be expected to materially impair such Real Property for the purpose for which it is held by the mortgagor thereof, or the lien held by the Collateral Agent, (iii) zoning and other municipal ordinances which are not violated in any material respect by the existing improvements and the present use made by the mortgagor thereof of the premises, (iv) general real estate taxes and assessments not yet delinquent, and (v) such other similar items as the Collateral Agent may consent to (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

 

Permitted Liens ” has the meaning provided in Section 10.3.

 

Perpetual Care Trust ” means a trust fund, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement established and administered by a Borrower as required in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of receiving the aggregate of all amounts derived from the sale of interests in real property, or fixtures, including, without limitation, mausoleums, niches, columbaria, urns, or crypts, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains and set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement and administering such amounts for the perpetual care and maintenance of cemetery lots, graves, grounds, landscaping, roads, paths, parking lots, fences, mausoleums, columbaria, vaults, crypts, utilities, and other improvements, structures and embellishments.

 

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

 

Plan ” means (i) any pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), which is maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute of) any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate, and each such plan for the five year period immediately following the latest date on which any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan to the extent that any Credit Party or an ERISA Affiliate could, in the reasonable opinion of the Lenders, reasonably be expected to have any liability under such Plan; and (ii) any other benefit

 

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arrangement, obligation or practice whether or not legally enforceable, to provide benefits, other than salary, as compensation for services rendered.

 

Pledge Agreement ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.11(a).

 

Pledge Agreement Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral” as defined in the Pledge Agreement.

 

Preferred Equity ” as applied to the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Person, means capital stock or other Equity Interests of such Person (other than common stock or units of such Person) of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of any other class of such Person.

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.14.

 

Pro Forma Basis ” means, in connection with any calculation of compliance with any financial covenant or financial term, the calculation thereof after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Permitted Acquisition then being consummated as well as any other Permitted Acquisition consummated after the first day of the relevant Test Period or Calculation Period (in each case, based on the best available historical financial information provided by the Permitted Acquisition target(s) as of the date of delivery, whether prepared in accordance with GAAP or otherwise, and accepted by the Borrowers in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment), as the case may be, and on or prior to the date of the respective Permitted Acquisition then being effected, adjusted to eliminate expenses reasonably expected to be eliminated by the Borrowers pursuant to synergies and other efficiencies of the acquisition, and adjusted for income, gains and losses from any Permitted Acquisition’s Trust Accounts, using a net asset value of Perpetual Care Trusts multiplied by ten-year Treasury Rate plus 150 basis points and Merchandise Trusts multiplied by five-year Treasury Rate plus 150 basis points; provided that, for purposes of calculations pursuant to Section 9.14 to the extent applicable, such calculations shall also give effect on a pro forma basis to (a) the incurrence of any Indebtedness after the first day of the relevant Calculation Period as if such Indebtedness had been incurred (and the proceeds thereof applied) on the first day of the relevant Calculation Period and (b) the permanent repayment of any Indebtedness after the first day of the relevant Calculation Period as if such Indebtedness had been retired or redeemed on the first day of the relevant Calculation Period (in each case, based on the historical financial information described above).

 

Projections ” means the detailed projected consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries certified by a Senior Manager of the Partnership for the five fiscal years after the Effective Date and made available to the Lenders on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

Purchasers ” means the initial purchasers of notes pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, together with any successors thereto as holders of such notes.

 

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Qualified IPO ” means the Partnership’s bona fide initial underwritten sale to the public of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership pursuant to Form S-1.

 

Quarterly Payment Date ” means the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December.

 

Real Property ” of any Person means all of the right, title and interest of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including Leaseholds.

 

Receivables ” means all accounts receivable (including, without limitation, all rights to payment created by or arising from sales of goods, leases of goods or the rendering of services no matter how evidenced and whether or not earned by performance or constituting an account under the UCC).

 

Recovery Event ” means the receipt by any Credit Party of any insurance or condemnation proceeds (other than proceeds from business interruption insurance) payable (i) by reason of theft, physical destruction or damage or any other similar event with respect to any properties or assets of such Credit Party, (ii) by reason of any condemnation, taking, seizing or similar event with respect to any properties or assets of such Credit Party or (iii) under any policy of insurance required to be maintained under Section 9.3.

 

Register ” has the meaning provided in Section 13.7(c).

 

Regulation D ” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

 

Regulation T ” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof.

 

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

 

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or any portion thereof.

 

Release ” means disposing, discharging, injecting, spilling, pumping, leaking, leaching, dumping, emitting, escaping, emptying, seeping, placing, pouring and the like, into or upon any land or water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.

 

Replaced Lender ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.13.

 

Replacement Lender ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.13.

 

Reportable Event ” means an event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA other than those events as to which the 30-day

 

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notice period is waived under subsection .22, .23, .25, .27, or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.

 

Required Lenders ” means Non-Defaulting Lenders, the sum of whose outstanding Acquisition Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Acquisition Loans, Revolving Loans and RL Percentage of outstanding Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings) represent an amount greater than 50% of the sum of all Acquisition Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitments of Non-Defaulting Lenders (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the then total outstanding Acquisition Loans and Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Lenders and the aggregate RL Percentages of all Non-Defaulting Lenders of the total outstanding Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time).

 

Revolving Loan ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1(b).

 

Revolving Loan Commitment ” means, with respect to each RL Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule I directly below the column entitled “Revolving Loan Commitment,” as the same may be (x) reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 4.2, 4.3 and/or Section 11 or (y) adjusted from to time as a result of assignments to or from such Lender pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.7(b).

 

Revolving Loan Maturity Date ” means September 20, 2007.

 

Revolving Note ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.5(a).

 

RL Lender ” means at any time each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Loans or any participation in one or more outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

RL Percentage ” of any Lender at any time means a fraction (expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, provided that if the RL Percentage of any Lender is to be determined after the Total Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated, then the RL Percentages of the Lenders shall be determined immediately prior (and without giving effect) to such termination.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., and any successor thereto.

 

Scheduled Repayment ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b).

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Seller Subordinated Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(vi).

 

Section 5.4(b)(ii) Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.4(b)(ii).

 

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Secured Creditors ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, Letter of Credit Issuers and Swap Creditors.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Security Agreement ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.11(b).

 

Security Agreement Collateral ” means all “Collateral” as defined in the Security Agreement.

 

Security Documents ” means and include the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, each Mortgage and each Additional Security Document, if any.

 

Senior Manager ” means any chairman, president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer or similar officer of the General Partner, the Partnership or the Operating Company.

 

Shareholders’ Agreements ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.

 

Start Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Stated Amount ” of each Letter of Credit shall, at any time, mean the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder (in each case determined (i) without regard to whether any conditions to drawing thereunder could then be met, (ii) after giving effect to any step-up or increase in the maximum amount to be made available under such Letter of Credit after the issuance thereof, but (iii) after giving effect to all previous drawings made thereunder).

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person means and includes (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity (other than a corporation) in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, has more than a 50% equity interest at the time; provided that no Trust Account shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary.

 

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

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Swap Creditor ” means any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender with whom any Borrower has entered into a Swap Contract.

 

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, in either case as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Swingline Expiry Date ” means the date which is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

 

Swingline Lender ” means Fleet acting in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans.

 

Swingline Loan ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1(c).

 

Swingline Note ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.5(a).

 

Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Tax Allocation Agreements ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.

 

Tax Benefit ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.4(c).

 

Taxes ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.4(a).

 

Test Period ” means each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then last ended, in each case taken as one accounting period.

 

Total Acquisition Loan Commitment ” means the sum of the Acquisition Loan Commitments of each of the Lenders.

 

Total Commitment ” means the sum of the Total Acquisition Loan Commitment and the Total Revolving Loan Commitment.

 

Total Revolving Loan Commitment ” means the sum of the Revolving Loan Commitments of each of the Lenders.

 

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Total Unutilized Acquisition Loan Commitment ” means, at any time, (i) the Total Acquisition Loan Commitment at such time less (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Acquisition Loans made.

 

Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment ” means, at any time, (i) the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time less (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans outstanding at such time plus the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.

 

Tranche ” means the respective facility and commitments utilized in making Loans hereunder, with there being three separate Tranches: (i) Acquisition Loans, (ii) Revolving Loans and (iii) Swingline Loans.

 

Transaction ” means, collectively, (i) the Conversion, (ii) a Qualified IPO, (iii) the entering into of the Note Purchase Documents and the incurrence of all loans thereunder, (iv) the entering into of the Credit Documents and the incurrence of all Loans and issuance of all Letters of Credit on the Effective Date, and (v) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

 

Trust Accounts ” means, collectively, the Perpetual Care Trusts and Merchandise Trusts.

 

Trust Funds ” means, at the time of any determination thereof, in connection with the Trust Accounts, the aggregate of all amounts required by applicable law to be set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement.

 

Type ” means any type of Loan determined with respect to the interest option applicable thereto, i.e., a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

UFCA ” has the meaning provided in 14.9(c).

 

UFTA ” has the meaning provided in 14.9(c).

 

Unfunded Current Liability ” of any Plan means the amount, if any, by which the actuarial present value of the accumulated plan benefits under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable thereto, each determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, based upon the actuarial assumptions used by the Plan’s actuary in the most recent annual valuation of the Plan.

 

Unpaid Drawing ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.4(a).

 

Unused Commitment Fee ” has the meaning provided in Section 4.1(a).

 

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Unutilized Acquisition Loan Commitment ” with respect to any Acquisition Lender at any time means such Acquisition Lender’s Acquisition Loan Commitment at such time less the aggregate principal amount of all Acquisition Loans made by such Acquisition Lender.

 

Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment ” with respect to any RL Lender at any time means such RL Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment at such time less the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by such RL Lender and (ii) such RL Lender’s RL Percentage of the total Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.

 

Written ” (whether lower or upper case) or “in writing” means any form of written communication or a communication by means of telex, facsimile device, electronic mail or cable.

 

SECTION 2. Amount and Acquisitions of Credit .

 

2.1. Commitments . (a) Acquisition Loans . Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Acquisition Lender severally agrees, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Acquisition Loan Maturity Date, to make one or more term loans (each, an “ Acquisition Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Acquisition Loans ”) to the Borrowers, which Acquisition Loans:

 

(i) shall, at the option of the Borrowers, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 2.10(b), all Acquisition Loans made as part of the same Borrowing shall at all times be of the same Type;

 

(ii) shall not exceed for any Lender at any time an aggregate original principal amount which then equals the Acquisition Loan Commitment of such Lender at such time;

 

(iii) shall not exceed for all Lenders at any time an aggregate original principal amount which exceeds the Total Acquisition Loan Commitment then in effect; and

 

(iv) shall be for Permitted Acquisitions compliant with the definition thereof.

 

Once repaid, Acquisition Loans incurred hereunder may not be reborrowed.

 

(b) Revolving Loans . Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each RL Lender severally agrees, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, to make one or more revolving loans (each, a “ Revolving Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Revolving Loans ”) to the Borrowers, which Revolving Loans:

 

(i) shall, at the option of the Borrowers, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that except as

 

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otherwise specifically provided in Section 2.10(b), all Revolving Loans made as part of the same Borrowing shall at all times be of the same Type;

 

(ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof;

 

(iii) shall not exceed, for any Lender, at any time an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when added to such Lender’s RL Percentage of the sum of (x) the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans then outstanding (exclusive of Swingline Loans which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans), equals the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender at such time; and

 

(iv) shall not exceed, for all Lenders, at any time an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when added to (x) the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans then outstanding (exclusive of Swingline Loans which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans), equals the lesser of (A) the Total Revolving Loan Commitment and (B) the Borrowing Base, as then in effect.

 

(c) Swingline Loans . Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such agrees to make at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Swingline Expiry Date, a revolving loan or revolving loans to the Borrowers (each, a “ Swingline Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Swingline Loans ”), which Swingline Loans:

 

(i) shall be made and maintained as Base Rate Loans;

 

(ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof;

 

(iii) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, when combined with (x) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding and (y) the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time, the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time (after giving effect to any changes thereto on such date); and

 

(iv) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding the Maximum Swingline Amount.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.1(c), (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swingline Loans at a time when a Lender Default exists unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrowers to eliminate

 

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the Swingline Lender’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Lender’s or Defaulting Lenders’ participation in such Swingline Loans, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s or Defaulting Lenders’ RL Percentage(s) of the outstanding Swingline Loans and (ii) the Swingline Lender will not make a Swingline Loan after it has received written notice from the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders) stating that a Default or an Event of Default exists until such time as the Swingline Lender shall have received a written notice of (i) rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering the same or (ii) a waiver of such Default or Event of Default from the Required Lenders.

 

(d) On any Business Day, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, give notice to the RL Lenders that its outstanding Swingline Loans shall be funded with a Borrowing of Revolving Loans ( provided that each such notice shall be deemed to have been automatically given upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 11.5 or upon the exercise of any of the remedies provided in the last paragraph of Section 11), in which case a Borrowing of Revolving Loans constituting Base Rate Loans (each such Borrowing, a “ Mandatory Borrowing ”) shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day by all RL Lenders pro rata based on each RL Lender’s RL Percentage (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 11), and the proceeds thereof shall be applied directly to repay the Swingline Lender for such outstanding Swingline Loans. Each RL Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make Revolving Loans upon one Business Day’s notice pursuant to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding sentence and on the date specified in writing by the Swingline Lender notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the Minimum Borrowing Amount otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 6 or 7 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (iv) the date of such Mandatory Borrowing and (v) the amount of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time. In the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrowers), then each RL Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase from the Swingline Lender (without recourse or warranty) such assignment of the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause the RL Lenders to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective RL Percentages (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 11), provided that (x) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date the respective assignment is purchased and, to the extent attributable to the purchased assignment, shall be payable to the RL Lender purchasing same from and after such date of purchase (or, if earlier, from the date on which the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, so long as the payments required by following clause (y) have in fact been made) and (y) at the time any purchase of assignments pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing RL Lender shall be required to pay the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount of the assignment purchased for each day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such assignment, at the rate otherwise applicable to Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans hereunder for each day thereafter.

 

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2.2. Minimum Borrowing Amounts, etc . The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing of Loans under a respective Tranche shall not be less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable to such Tranche, provided that Mandatory Borrowings shall be made in the amounts required by Section 2.1(d). More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any day, provided that at no time shall there be outstanding more than six (6) Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans.

 

2.3. Notice of Borrowing . (a) Whenever the Borrowers desire to make a Borrowing of Loans hereunder (excluding Borrowings of Swingline Loans and Mandatory Borrowings), it shall give the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office, prior to 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time), at least three Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans and at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be made hereunder. Each such written notice or written confirmation of telephonic notice (each, a “ Notice of Borrowing ”) shall, except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 2.10, be irrevocable, and, in the case of each written notice and each confirmation of telephonic notice, shall be given by an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers in the form of Exhibit A, appropriately completed to specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) whether the respective Borrowing shall consist of Acquisition Loans or Revolving Loans (and, if Revolving Loans, whether they represent an Interim Borrowing), (iv) whether the respective Borrowing shall consist of Base Rate Loans or, to the extent permitted hereunder, Eurodollar Loans and, if Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto, and (v) in the case of a Borrowing of Acquisition Loans, a reference to the officer’s certificate, if any, delivered in accordance with Section 9.14. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender which is required to make Loans of the Tranche specified in the respective Notice of Borrowing, written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing, of such Lender’s proportionate share thereof and of the other matters required by the immediately preceding sentence to be specified in the Notice of Borrowing.

 

(b) (i) Whenever the Borrowers desire to incur Swingline Loans hereunder, it shall give the Swingline Lender not later than 2:00 P.M. (Philadelphia time) on the day such Swingline Loan is to be made, written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Swingline Loan to be made hereunder. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify in each case (x) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loan to be made pursuant to such Borrowing.

 

(ii) Mandatory Borrowings shall be made upon the notice (or deemed notice) specified in Section 2.1(d), with the Borrowers irrevocably agreeing, by their incurrence of any Swingline Loan, to the making of Mandatory Borrowings as set forth in such Section 2.1(d).

 

(c) Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to confirm in writing any telephonic notice permitted to be given hereunder, the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender (in the case of a Borrowing of Swingline Loans) or the Letter of Credit Issuer

 

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(in the case of the issuance of Letters of Credit), as the case may be, may, prior to receipt of written confirmation, act without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice, believed by the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, as the case may be, in good faith to be from an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers. In each such case, the Administrative Agent’s, the Swingline Lender’s or the respective Letter of Credit Issuer’s record of the terms of such telep honic notice shall be conclusive evidence of the contents of such notice, absent manifest error.

 

2.4. Disbursement of Funds . (a) Not later than 1:00 P.M. (Philadelphia time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing (or (x) in the case of Swingline Loans, not later than 3:00 P.M. (Philadelphia time) on the date specified in Section 2.3(b)(i) or (y) in the case of Mandatory Borrowings, not later than 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time) on the date specified in Section 2.1(d)), each Lender with a Commitment under the respective Tranche will make available its pro rata share (determined in accordance with Section 2.7), if any, of each Borrowing requested to be made on such date (or in the case of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender shall make available the full amount thereof) in the manner provided below. All amounts shall be made available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Payment Office and the Administrative Agent promptly will make available to the Borrowers by depositing to its account at the Payment Office the aggregate of the amounts so made available in the type of funds received. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of Borrowing that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made available same to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers, and the Borrowers shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover on demand from such Lender or the Borrowers, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (x) if paid by such Lender, the overnight Federal Funds Rate or (y) if paid by the Borrowers, the then applicable rate of interest, calculated in accordance with Section 2.8.

 

(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrowers may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

2.5. Notes . (a) The Borrowers’ obligation to pay the principal of, and interest on, all the Loans made to it by each Lender shall be set forth on the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.7(c) and shall be evidenced (i) if Acquisition Loans, by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 with blanks appropriately

 

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completed in conformity herewith (each, a “ Acquisition Note ” and, collectively, the “ Acquisition Notes ”), (ii) if Revolving Loans, by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith (each, a “ Revolving Note ” and, collectively, the “ Revolving Notes ”) and (iii) if Swingline Loans, by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith (the “ Swingline Note ”).

 

(b) The Acquisition Note issued to each Acquisition Lender shall (i) be executed by the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to such Lender or its permitted registered assigns and be dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of any Acquisition Note issued after the Effective Date, the date of issuance thereof), (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the Acquisition Loan Commitment of such Lender on the Effective Date (or, in the case of any Acquisition Note issued after the Effective Date, in a stated principal amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Acquisition Loan of such Lender on the date of the issuance thereof) and be payable in the principal amount of Acquisition Loans evidenced thereby from time to time, (iv) mature on the Acquisition Loan Maturity Date, (v) bear interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section 2.8 in respect of the Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to voluntary repayment as provided in Section 5.1 and mandatory repayment as provided in Section 5.2 (including amortization of principal amounts as provided in Section 5.2(b)) and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

(c) The Revolving Note issued to each RL Lender shall (i) be executed by the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to such RL Lender or its permitted registered assigns and be dated the date of issuance thereof, (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment of such RL Lender and be payable in the principal amount of the outstanding Revolving Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, (v) bear interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section 2.8 in respect of the Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to voluntary prepayment as provided in Section 5.1 and mandatory repayment as provided in Section 5.2, and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

(d) The Swingline Note issued to the Swingline Lender shall (i) be executed by the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to the Swingline Lender or its permitted registered assigns and be dated the Effective Date, (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the Maximum Swingline Amount and be payable in the principal amount of the outstanding Swingline Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the Swingline Expiry Date, (v) bear interest as provided in Section 2.8 in respect of the Base Rate Loans evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to voluntary prepayment as provided in Section 5.1 and mandatory repayment as provided in Section 5.2 and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

2.6. Conversion of Loans . The Borrowers shall have the option to convert on any Business Day occurring on or after the Effective Date, all or a portion at least equal to the applicable Minimum Borrowing Amount of the outstanding principal amount of Loans (other than Swingline Loans, which shall at all times be maintained as Base Rate Loans) made pursuant to one or more Borrowings of one or more Types of Loans under a single Tranche into a Borrowing or Borrowings of another Type of Loan under such Tranche; provided that (i) except

 

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as otherwise provided in Section 2.10(b) or unless the Borrowers pay all breakage costs and other amounts owing to each Lender pursuant to Section 2.11 concurrently with any such conversion, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable to the Loans being converted, and no partial conversion of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto, and (ii) unless the Required Lenders otherwise agree, Base Rate Loans may only be converted into Eurodollar Loans if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion. Each such conversion shall be effected by the Borrowers by giving the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office, prior to 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time), at least three Business Days’ (or one Business Day’s in the case of a conversion into Base Rate Loans) prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) (each, a “ Notice of Conversion ”) specifying the Loans to be so converted, the Borrowing(s) pursuant to which the Loans were made and, if to be converted into a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice of any such proposed conversion affecting any of its Loans. Upon any such conversion, the proceeds thereof will be deemed to be applied directly on the day of such conversion to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Loans being converted.

 

2.7. Pro Rata Borrowings . All Borrowings of Acquisition Loans and Revolving Loans under this Agreement shall be incurred by the Borrowers from the Lenders pro rata on the basis of such Lenders’ Acquisition Loan Commitments or Revolving Loan Commitments, as the case may be, in each case as in effect on the date of the respective Borrowing; provided that all Borrowings of Revolving Loans made pursuant to a Mandatory Borrowing shall be incurred from the RL Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective RL Percentages. It is understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender of its obligation to make Loans hereunder and that each Lender shall be obligated to make the Loans to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder.

 

2.8. Interest . (a) The unpaid principal amount of each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan and (ii) the conversion of such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.6, at a rate per annum which shall at all times be the relevant Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate, each as in effect from time to time.

 

(b) The unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurodollar Loan and (ii) the conversion of such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.6, 2.9 or 2.10(b), as applicable, at a rate per annum which shall at all times be the relevant Applicable Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, each as in effect from time to time.

 

(c) Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest in respect of each Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate borne by such Loans immediately prior to the respective payment default and (y) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise applicable to Base

 

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Rate Loans from time to time. Interest which accrues under this Section 2.8(c) shall be payable on demand.

 

(d) Interest shall accrue from and including the date of any Borrowing to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof and shall be payable (i) in respect of each Base Rate Loan, quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date, (ii) in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, on (x) the date of any conversion into a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.6, 2.9 or 2.10(b), as applicable (on the amount converted) and (y) the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period and (iii) in respect of each Loan, on (x) the date of any prepayment or repayment thereof (on the amount prepaid or repaid), (y) at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and (z) after such maturity, on demand.

 

(e) All computations of interest hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section 13.20(b).

 

(f) Upon each Interest Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall determine the Eurodollar Rate for the respective Interest Period or Interest Periods and shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders thereof. Each such determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

2.9. Interest Periods . At the time the Borrowers give a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion in respect of the making of, or conversion into, a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans (in the case of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto) or prior to 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time) on the third Business Day prior to the expiration of an Interest Period applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans (in the case of any subsequent Interest Period), the Borrowers shall have the right to elect by giving the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall, at the option of the Borrowers, be a one, two, three or six month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:

 

(a) the initial Interest Period for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period applicable thereto expires;

 

(b) if any Interest Period for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

 

(c) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if any Interest Period for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no

 

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further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(d) no Interest Period for a Borrowing under a Tranche shall be selected which would extend beyond the respective Maturity Date for such Tranche;

 

(e) unless the Required Lenders otherwise agree, no Interest Period may be elected at any time when a Default or an Event of Default is then in existence; and

 

(f) no Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of Acquisition Loans shall be elected which extends beyond any date upon which a Scheduled Repayment will be required to be made under Section 5.2(b) if, after giving effect to the election of such Interest Period, the aggregate principal amount of such Acquisition Loans which have Interest Periods which will expire after such date will be in excess of the aggregate principal amount of such Acquisition Loans then outstanding less the aggregate amount of such required Scheduled Repayment.

 

If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers have failed to elect, or is not permitted to elect, a new Interest Period to be applicable to the respective Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans as provided above, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.

 

2.10. Increased Costs; Illegality; etc . (a) In the event that (x) in the case of clause (i) below, the Administrative Agent or (y) in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) below, any Lender, shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

 

(i) on any Interest Determination Date, that, by reason of any changes arising after the Effective Date affecting the interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of Eurodollar Rate; or

 

(ii) at any time, that such Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Eurodollar Loans because of (x) any change since the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline, order or request (whether or not having the force of law), or in the interpretation or administration thereof and including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation, guideline, order or request, such as, for example, but not limited to, (A) a change in the basis of taxation of payment to any Lender of the principal of or interest on such Eurodollar Loans or any other amounts payable hereunder (except for changes with respect to any tax imposed on, measured by or determined by reference to, the net income, net profits of such Lender or any franchise tax imposed in lieu thereof pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized, or in which such Lender’s principal office or applicable lending office is located or any subdivision thereof or therein), provided , however , that the Borrowers’

 

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obligations to pay any additional amounts claimed under this Section 2.10(a)(ii)(x)(A) shall be subject to the provisions contained in Section 5.4(c); provided further that taxes that are otherwise addressed by Section 5.4 are not subject to a claim under this Section 2.10 or (B) a change in official reserve requirements, but, in all events, excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the extent included in the computation of the Eurodollar Rate and/or (y) other circumstances arising since the date of this Agreement affecting such Lender, the interbank Eurodollar market or the position of such Lender in such market (whether or not such Lender was a Lender at the time of such occurrence, but subject to the last sentence of Section 13.7(j)); or

 

(iii) at any time since the Effective Date, that the making or continuance of any Eurodollar Loan has become unlawful whether by compliance by such Lender with any law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or otherwise (or would conflict with any governmental rule, regulation, guideline, request or order not having the force of law but with which such Lender customarily complies even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or has become impracticable as a result of a change or contingency occurring after the Effective Date which materially and adversely affects the interbank Eurodollar market;

 

then, and in any such event, such Lender (or the Administrative Agent in the case of clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrowers, which written notice shall set forth such Lender’s (or the Administrative Agent’s, as the case may be) basis for asserting its rights under this Section 2.10(a) and the calculation, in reasonable detail, of any such additional amounts claimed hereunder, and (except in the case of clause (i)) to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders). Thereafter, (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurodollar Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the Borrowers with respect to Eurodollar Loans which have not yet been incurred (including by way of conversion) shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrowers, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrowers agree, subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable), to pay to such Lender, upon written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable hereunder but without duplication of any payments due under Section 5.4 (with the written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, submitted to the Borrowers by such Lender in accordance with the foregoing to be, absent manifest error, final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto, although the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish any of the Borrowers’ obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(a) upon the subsequent receipt of such notice) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, the Borrowers shall take one of the actions specified in Section 2.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.

 

(b) At any time that any Eurodollar Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), the Borrowers may at their sole option (and in the case of

 

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a Eurodollar Loan affected pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(iii), the Borrowers shall) either (i) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then being made pursuant to a Borrowing, cancel said Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrowers were notified by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii)), or (ii) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert each such Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan (which conversion, in the case of the circumstance described in Section 2.10(a)(iii), shall occur no later than the last day of the Interest Period then applicable to such Eurodollar Loan or such earlier day as shall be required by applicable law); provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant to this Section 2.10(b).

 

(c) If any Lender shall have determined after the Effective Date that the adoption or effectiveness after the Effective Date of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change after the Effective Date in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such other corporation’s capital or assets as a consequence of such Lender’s Commitment or Commitments hereunder or its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such other corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such other corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, upon written demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), accompanied by the notice referred to in the last sentence of this clause (c), the Borrowers agree, subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable), to pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such other corporation for such reduction in the rate of return to such Lender or such other corporation. Each Lender, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(c), will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrowers (a copy of which shall be sent by such Lender to the Administrative Agent), which notice shall set forth such Lender’s basis for asserting its rights under this Section 2.10(c) and the calculation, in reasonable detail, of such additional amounts claimed hereunder, although the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish the Borrowers’ obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(c) upon the subsequent receipt of such notice. A Lender’s reasonable good faith determination of compensation owing under this Section 2.10(c) shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto.

 

2.11. Compensation . The Borrowers shall, subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable), compensate each Lender, promptly upon its written request (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such compensation), for all losses, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, any loss, expense or liability incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds required by such Lender to fund its Eurodollar Loans) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason a Borrowing of, or conversion from or into, Eurodollar Loans does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the Borrowers

 

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(whether or not withdrawn by the Borrowers or deemed withdrawn pursuant to Section 2.10(a)); (ii) if any repayment (including any repayment made pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2 or as a result of an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 11 or as a result of the replacement of a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.1(b)) or conversion of any Eurodollar Loans of the Borrowers occurs on a date which is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto; (iii) if any prepayment of any Eurodollar Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrowers; or (iv) as a consequence of (x) any other default by the Borrowers to repay its Eurodollar Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or (y) an election made by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.10(b). Each Lender’s calculation of the amount of compensation owing pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be made in good faith. A Lender’s basis for requesting compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11 and a Lender’s calculation of the amount thereof, shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

2.12. Change of Lending Office . Each Lender agrees that upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 2.10(c), Section 3.5 or Section 5.4 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the applicable Borrowers, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans or Letters of Credit affected by such event, provided that such designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of such Section. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrowers or the rights of any Lender provided in Sections 2.10, 3.5 and 5.4.

 

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2.13. Replacement of Lenders . (x) If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, (y) upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 2.10(c), Section 3.5 or Section 5.4 with respect to any Lender which results in such Lender charging to the Borrowers increased costs materially in excess of the average costs being charged by the other Lenders in respect of such contingency or (z) in the case of a refusal by a Lender to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to this Agreement which has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 13.1(b), the Borrowers shall have the right, in accordance with Section 13.7(b), if no Default or Event of Default then exists or would exist after giving effect to such replacement, to replace such Lender (the “ Replaced Lender ”) with one or more other Eligible Assignee or Assignees, none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting Lender at the time of such replacement (collectively, the “ Replacement Lender ”) and each of whom shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent or, at the option of the Borrowers, to replace only (a) any Commitment (and outstandings pursuant thereto) of the Replaced Lender with an identical Commitment provided by the Replacement Lender or (b) in the case of a replacement as provided in Section 13.1(b) where the consent of the respective Lender is required with respect to less than all Tranches of its Loans or Commitments, the Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of such Lender in respect of each Tranche where the consent of such Lender would otherwise be individually required, with identical Commitments and/or Loans of the respective Tranche provided by the Replacement Lender; provided that:

 

(i) at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 2.13, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more Assignment and Assumption Agreements pursuant to Section 13.7(b) (and with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 13.7(b) to be paid by the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Loans (or, in the case of the replacement of only (a) the Revolving Loan Commitment, the Revolving Loan Commitment and outstanding Revolving Loans and participations in Letter of Credit Outstandings and/or (b) the outstanding Acquisition Loans, the outstanding Acquisition Loans) of, and in each case (except for the replacement of only the outstanding Acquisition Loans of the respective Lender) participations in Letters of Credit by, the Replaced Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to (x) the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the sum of (A) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans (or of the Loans of the respective Tranche being replaced) of the Replaced Lender, (B) an amount equal to all Unpaid Drawings (unless there are no Unpaid Drawings with respect to the Tranche being replaced) that have been funded by (and not reimbursed to) such Replaced Lender, together with all then unpaid interest with respect thereto at such time and (C) an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid, Fees owing to the Replaced Lender (but only with respect to the relevant Tranche, in the case of the replacement of less than all Tranches of Loans then held by the respective Replaced Lender) pursuant to Section 4.1, (y) except in the case of the replacement of only the outstanding Acquisition Loans of a Replaced Lender, each Letter of Credit Issuer an amount equal to such Replaced Lender’s RL Percentage of any Unpaid Drawing relating to Letters of Credit issued by such Letter of Credit Issuer (which at such time remains an Unpaid Drawing) to the extent such amount was not theretofore funded by such Replaced Lender and (z) in the case of any replacement of Revolving Loan Commitments, the Swingline Lender an amount equal to such Replaced Lender’s RL Percentage of any Mandatory Borrowing to the extent such amount was not theretofore funded by such Replaced Lender; and

 

(ii) all obligations of the Credit Parties, if any, then owing to the Replaced Lender (other than those (a) specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being, paid, but including all amounts, if any, owing under Section 2.11 or (b) relating to any Tranche of Loans and/or Commitments of the respective Replaced Lender which will remain outstanding after giving effect to the respective replacement) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such replacement.

 

Upon the execution of the respective Assignment and Assumption Agreements by the respective Replacement Lender, the payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, recordation of the assignment on the Register by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.7(c) and, if so requested by the Replacement Lender, delivery to the Replacement Lender of the appropriate Note or Notes executed by the Borrowers, (x) the Replacement Lender shall become a Lender hereunder and, unless the respective Replaced Lender continues to have outstanding Acquisition Loans and/or a Revolving Loan Commitment hereunder, the Replaced Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5, 5.4, 13.4, 13.5 and 13.19), which shall survive as to such Replaced Lender and (y) except in the case

 

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of the replacement of only outstanding Acquisition Loans, the RL Percentages of the Lenders shall be automatically adjusted at such time to give effect to such replacement. In connection with any replacement of Lenders pursuant to, and as contemplated by, this Section 2.13, the Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to take all necessary action, in the name of the Borrowers, as described above in this Section 2.13 in order to effect the replacement of the respective Lender or Lenders in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 2.13.

 

2.14. Borrower Funds Administrator .

 

(a) Borrowers maintain an integrated cash management system reflecting their interdependence on one another and the mutual benefits shared among them as a result of their respective operations. In order to efficiently fund and operate their respective businesses and minimize the number of borrowings which they will make under this Agreement and thereby reduce the administrative costs and record keeping required in connection therewith, including the necessity to enter into and maintain separately identified and monitored borrowing facilities, Borrowers have requested, and Administrative Agent and Lenders have agreed that, subject to Section 14.9, all Loans will be advanced to and for the account of Borrowers (other than the Controlled Non-Profits) on a joint and several basis in accordance with the other provisions hereof. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that it will be receiving a direct benefit from each Loan made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(b) Each Borrower hereby designates, appoints, authorizes and empowers the Operating Company as its agent to act as specified in this Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents and the Operating Company hereby acknowledges such designation, authorization and empowerment, and accepts such appointment. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Operating Company to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and any other instruments, documents and agreements referred to herein or therein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Operating Company by the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof, and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, including, without limitation, to take the following actions for and on such Borrower’s behalf:

 

(i) to submit on behalf of each Borrower, Notices of Borrowing and Letter of Credit Requests to the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii) to receive on behalf of each Borrower the proceeds of Loans in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, such proceeds to be disbursed to or for the account of the applicable Borrower as soon as practicable after its receipt thereof; and

 

(iii) to submit and receive on behalf of each Borrower, Compliance Certificates and all other certificates, notices and other communications given or required to be given hereunder.

 

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The Operating Company is further authorized and directed by each Borrower to take all such actions on behalf of such Borrower necessary to exercise the specific power granted in clauses (i) through (iii) above and to perform such other duties hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and deliver such documents as delegated to or required of the Operating Company by the terms hereof or thereof. The agency relationship established pursuant to this Section 2.14(b) is for administrative convenience only and such agency relationship shall not extend to any matter outside the scope of the Credit Documents.

 

(c) The administration by Administrative Agent and Lenders of the credit facilities under this Agreement as a co-borrowing facility with a funds administrator in the manner set forth herein is solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at their request and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Credit Party as a result thereof.

 

SECTION 3. Letters of Credit .

 

3.1. Letters of Credit . (a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, any Borrower may request a Letter of Credit Issuer at any time and from time to time on or after the Effective Date and prior to the 90 th day preceding the Revolving Loan Maturity Date to issue, for the account of such Borrower and for the benefit of any holder (or any trustee, agent or other similar representative for any such holders) of L/C Supportable Indebtedness, irrevocable sight standby letters of credit in a form customarily used by such Letter of Credit Issuer or in such other form as has been approved by such Letter of Credit Issuer (each such Letter of Credit, a “ Letter of Credit ” and, collectively, the “ Letters of Credit ”).

 

(b) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Letter of Credit Issuer hereby agrees that it will, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and prior to the 90 th day preceding the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, following its receipt of the respective Letter of Credit Request, issue for the account of any Borrower one or more Letters of Credit, in support of such L/C Supportable Indebtedness as is permitted to remain outstanding hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Letter of Credit Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if at the time of such issuance:

 

(i) any order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority or arbitrator shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain such Letter of Credit Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit or any requirement of law applicable to such Letter of Credit Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over such Letter of Credit Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such Letter of Credit Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Letter of Credit Issuer is not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the date hereof, or any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable, in effect or known to such Letter of Credit Issuer as of the date hereof and which such Letter of Credit Issuer in good faith deems material to it; or

 

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(ii) such Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received written notice from any Borrower or the Administrative Agent (at the request of the Required Lenders) prior to the issuance of such Letter of Credit of the type described in clause (vi) of Section 3.1(c) or the second sentence of Section 3.2(b); or

 

(iii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any laws or one or more policies of such Letter of Credit Issuer generally applicable to account parties.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid on the date of, and prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of Credit) at such time, would exceed either (x) $5,000,000 or (y) when added to the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding and all Swingline Loans then outstanding, the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time; (ii) each Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date occurring not later than one year after such Letter of Credit’s date of issuance, provided that any such Letter of Credit may be extendable for successive periods each of up to one year, but not beyond the 30 th day preceding the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, on terms acceptable to the respective Letter of Credit Issuer; (iii) no Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date occurring later than the 30 th day prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date; (iv) the Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $100,000 or in each case such lesser amount as is reasonably acceptable to the respective Letter of Credit Issuer; and (vi) no Letter of Credit Issuer will issue any Letter of Credit after it has received written notice from the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent (at the request of the Required Lenders) stating that a Default or an Event of Default exists until such time as such Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received a written notice of (x) rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering the same or (y) a waiver of such Default or Event of Default by the Required Lenders.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Lender Default exists, no Letter of Credit Issuer shall be required to issue any Letter of Credit unless the respective Letter of Credit Issuer has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrowers to eliminate such Letter of Credit Issuer’s risk with respect to the participation in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Lender or Defaulting Lenders, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s or Defaulting Lenders’ RL Percentage(s) of the Letter of Credit Outstandings, as the case may be.

 

3.2. Letter of Credit Requests . (a) Whenever any Borrower desires that a Letter of Credit be issued, such Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent and the respective Letter of Credit Issuer written notice thereof at least four (4) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the respective Letter of Credit Issuer) prior to the proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business Day) which written notice shall be in the form of Exhibit C (each, a “ Letter of Credit Request ”) and specify the currency in which the requested Letter of Credit is to be denominated. Each Letter of Credit Request shall include any other documents as such Letter of Credit Issuer customarily requires in connection therewith.

 

(b) The making of each Letter of Credit Request, and the acceptance of the benefits of each Letter of Credit issued hereunder, shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that such Letter of Credit may be issued in accordance with, and it

 

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will not violate the requirements of, the second sentence of Section 3.1(b) or Section 3.1(c). Unless the respective Letter of Credit Issuer has received notice from the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders) before it issues a Letter of Credit that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 6 or 7, as the case may be, are not then satisfied, or that the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate the second sentence of Section 3.1(b) or Section 3.1(c), then such Letter of Credit Issuer may issue the requested Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrowers in accordance with such Letter of Credit Issuer’s usual and customary practice. In no event shall any Letter of Credit Issuer have any obligation or liability to the L/C Participants as a result the failure of any Letter of Credit to conform to the purpose or beneficiary requirements set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

3.3. Letter of Credit Participations . (a) Immediately upon the issuance by a Letter of Credit Issuer of any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Issuer shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each other RL Lender, and each such RL Lender (each, an “ L/C Participant ”) shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Letter of Credit Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such L/C Participant’s RL Percentage, in such Letter of Credit, each substitute Letter of Credit, each drawing made thereunder and the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement with respect thereto (although Letter of Credit Fees shall be payable directly to the Administrative Agent for the account of the RL Lenders as provided in Section 4.1(b) and the L/C Participants shall have no right to receive any portion of any Facing Fees with respect to such Letters of Credit) and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in the Revolving Loan Commitments or the RL Percentages of the RL Lenders pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.7(b), it is hereby agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit and Unpaid Drawings with respect thereto, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations pursuant to this Section 3.3 to reflect the new RL Percentages of the assigning and assignee Lender or of all RL Lenders, as the case may be.

 

(b) In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, no Letter of Credit Issuer shall have any obligation relative to the L/C Participants other than to determine that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they appear to substantially comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Letter of Credit Issuer under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision), shall not create for such Letter of Credit Issuer any resulting liability to any Borrower or any Lender.

 

(c) In the event that any Letter of Credit Issuer makes any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and the Borrowers shall not have reimbursed such amount in full to the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 3.4(a), such Letter of Credit Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each L/C Participant of such failure, and each such L/C Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Letter of Credit Issuer in U.S. Dollars and in same day funds, the amount of such L/C Participant’s RL Percentage of such payment (in the case of a payment under a Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, taking the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the respective payment on the date such payment

 

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is made). If the Administrative Agent so notifies any L/C Participant required to fund a payment under a Letter of Credit prior to 11:00 A.M. (Philadelphia time) on any Business Day, such L/C Participant shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office for the account of the respective Letter of Credit Issuer such L/C Participant’s RL Percentage of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in same day funds (and, to the extent such notice is given after 11:00 A.M. (Philadelphia time) on any Business Day, such L/C Participant shall make such payment on the immediately following Business Day). If and to the extent such L/C Participant shall not have so made its RL Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Letter of Credit Issuer, such L/C Participant agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Letter of Credit Issuer, forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer at the overnight Federal Funds Rate. The failure of any L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Letter of Credit Issuer its RL Percentage of any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it shall not relieve any other L/C Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Letter of Credit Issuer its applicable RL Percentage of any payment under any such Letter of Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no L/C Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Letter of Credit Issuer such other L/C Participant’s RL Percentage of any such payment.

 

(d) Whenever any Letter of Credit Issuer receives a payment of a reimbursement obligation as to which the Administrative Agent has received for the account of such Letter of Credit Issuer any payments from the L/C Participants pursuant to clause (c) above, such Letter of Credit Issuer shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each L/C Participant which has paid its RL Percentage thereof, in U.S. Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s RL Percentage of the principal amount thereof and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective participations.

 

(e) Each Letter of Credit Issuer shall, promptly after each issuance of, or amendment or modification to, a Letter of Credit issued by it, give the Administrative Agent, each L/C Participant and the Borrowers written notice of the issuance of, or amendment or modification to, such Letter of Credit.

 

(f) The obligations of the L/C Participants to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it shall be irrevocable and not subject to counterclaim, set-off or other defense or any other qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances:

 

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents;

 

(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any time against a beneficiary named

 

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in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), any Agent, any Letter of Credit Issuer, any Lender, or other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);

 

(iii) any draft, certificate or other document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

(iv) the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or

 

(v) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.

 

3.4. Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings . (a) The Borrowers hereby agree to reimburse each Letter of Credit Issuer, by making payment to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Payment Office, for any payment or disbursement made by such Letter of Credit Issuer under any Letter of Credit issued by it (each such amount so paid or disbursed until reimbursed, an “ Unpaid Drawing ”) no later than three Business Days after the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers of such payment or disbursement, with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by such Letter of Credit Issuer, to the extent not reimbursed prior to 2:00 P.M. (Philadelphia time) on the date of such payment or disbursement, from and including the date paid or disbursed to but not including the date such Letter of Credit Issuer is reimbursed therefor at a rate per annum which shall be the then Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate, each as in effect from time to time (plus an additional 2% per annum if not reimbursed by the third Business Day after the date the Borrowers are given notice of such payment or disbursement), such interest also to be payable on demand; provided that it is understood and agreed, however, that the notices referred to above in this clause (a) shall not be required to be given if a Default or an Event of Default under Section 11.5 shall have occurred and be continuing (in which case the Unpaid Drawings shall be due and payable immediately without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind (all of which are hereby waived by each Credit Party) and shall bear interest at a rate per annum which shall be (x) until the third Business Day following the respective Unpaid Drawing, the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate, each as in effect from time to time, and (y) at all times on and after the third Business Day following the respective Drawing, the rate per annum specified in preceding clause (x) plus 2%). Each Letter of Credit Issuer shall provide the Borrowers prompt notice of any payment or disbursement made by it under any Letter of Credit issued by it, although the failure of, or delay in, giving any such notice shall not release or diminish the obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 3.4(a) or under any other Section of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Borrowers’ obligation under this Section 3.4 to reimburse the respective Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to Unpaid Drawings on Letters of Credit (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the

 

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Borrowers may have or have had against such Letter of Credit Issuer, any Agent or any Lender, including, without limitation, any defense based upon the failure of any drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit or any nonapplication or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such drawing; provided , however , that the Borrowers shall not be obligated to reimburse such Letter of Credit Issuer for any wrongful payment made by such Letter of Credit Issuer under a Letter of Credit issued by it as a result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of such Letter of Credit Issuer (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

 

3.5. Increased Costs . If after the Effective Date, any Letter of Credit Issuer or any L/C Participant determines in good faith that the adoption or effectiveness after the Effective Date of any applicable law, rule or regulation, order, guideline or request or any change therein, or any change after the Effective Date in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Letter of Credit Issuer or any L/C Participant with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall either (i) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant’s participation therein, or (ii) impose on any Letter of Credit Issuer or any L/C Participant any other conditions directly or indirectly affecting this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or such L/C Participant’s participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant hereunder or reduce the rate of return on its capital with respect to Letters of Credit, then, upon written demand to the Borrowers by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant (a copy of which notice shall be sent by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), accompanied by the certificate described in the last sentence of this Section 3.5, the Borrowers agree, subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable), to pay to such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant for such increased cost or reduction. A certificate submitted to the Borrowers by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the determination of such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant as aforesaid shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Borrowers absent manifest error, although the failure to deliver any such certificate shall not release or diminish the Borrowers’ obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.5 upon subsequent receipt of such certificate.

 

3.6. Applicability of ISP; Conflicts; etc. (a) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the respective Letter of Credit Issuer and the Borrowers when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit.

 

(b) In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Request (or related application), the terms hereof shall control.

 

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SECTION 4. Fees; Commitments .

 

4.1. Fees . (a) Unused Commitment Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender, based on its pro rata share of the Commitment, an unused commitment fee (the “ Unused Commitment Fee ”) for the period from the Effective Date to but not including the final Maturity Date (or such earlier date as the Commitments shall have been terminated), computed at a rate for each day equal to the relevant Applicable Margin then in effect on the aggregate daily average Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment and Unutilized Acquisition Loan Commitment of such Lender. Accrued Unused Commitment Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date and on each Maturity Date (or such earlier date upon which either Commitment is terminated).

 

(b) Letter of Credit Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for pro rata distribution to each RL Lender (based on their respective RL Percentages as from time to time in effect) in U.S. Dollars, a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”) computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans then in effect on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Accrued Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date and upon the first day on or after the termination of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment upon which no Letters of Credit remain outstanding.

 

(c) Facing Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to each Letter of Credit Issuer, for its own account, in U.S. Dollars, a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Letter of Credit Issuer (the “ Facing Fee ”) computed at the rate of 1/8 of 1% per annum on the daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit; provided that in no event shall the annual Facing Fee with respect to each Letter of Credit be less than $250; it being agreed that (x) on the date of issuance of any Letter of Credit and on each anniversary thereof prior to the termination of such Letter of Credit, if $250 will exceed the amount of Facing Fees that will accrue with respect to such Letter of Credit for the immediately succeeding 12-month period, the full $250 shall be payable on the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit and on each such anniversary thereof prior to the termination of such Letter of Credit and (y) if on the date of the termination of any Letter of Credit, $250 actually exceeds the amount of Facing Fees paid or payable with respect to such Letter of Credit for the period beginning on the date of the issuance thereof (or if the respective Letter of Credit has been outstanding for more than one year, the date of the last anniversary of the issuance thereof occurring prior to the termination of such Letter of Credit) and ending on the date of the termination thereof, an amount equal to such excess shall be paid as additional Facing Fees with respect to such Letter of Credit on the next date upon which Facing Fees are payable in accordance with the immediately succeeding sentence. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, accrued Facing Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date and upon the first day on or after the termination of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment upon which no Letters of Credit remain outstanding.

 

(d) Customary Charges . The Borrowers shall pay directly to each Letter of Credit Issuer upon each issuance of, payment under, and/or amendment of, a Letter of Credit issued by such Letter of Credit Issuer such amount as shall at the time of such issuance, payment or amendment be the administrative charge which such Letter of Credit Issuer is customarily charging for issuances of, payments under or amendments of, letters of credit issued by it.

 

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(e) Agent Fees. The Borrowers shall pay to each Agent, for its own account, such other fees as may be agreed to in writing from time to time between the Borrowers and such Agent, when and as due.

 

(f) Computation. All computations of Fees shall be made in accordance with Section 13.20(b).

 

4.2. Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Unutilized Commitments . (a) Upon at least three Business Days’ prior notice from an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the Borrowers shall have the right, without premium or penalty, to terminate or partially reduce the Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment or Total Unutilized Acquisition Loan Commitment, in whole or in part, provided that (i) any such termination or partial reduction shall apply to proportionately and permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment or the Acquisition Loan Commitment, as applicable, of each Lender with such a Commitment and (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 4.2(a) shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000.

 

(b) In the event of a refusal by a Lender to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to this Agreement which has been approved by the requisite Lenders in accordance with Section 13.1(a), the Borrowers shall have the right, subject to obtaining the consents required by Section 13.1(b), upon five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), to terminate the entire Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender, so long as all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest, Fees and all other amounts, if any, then owing to such Lender (including all amounts, if any, owing pursuant to Section 2.11 but excluding amounts owing in respect of Acquisition Loans maintained by such Lender, if such Acquisition Loans are not being repaid pursuant to Section 13.1(b)) are repaid concurrently with the effectiveness of such termination (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect such changed amounts) and at such time, unless the respective Lender continues to have outstanding Acquisition Loans hereunder, such Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes of this Agreement, except with respect to indemnifications under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5, 5.4, 13.4, 13.5 and 13.19), which shall survive as to such repaid Lender.

 

4.3. Termination of Commitments . Each Commitment (and the related Commitment of each Lender) shall terminate in its entirety on the Maturity Date for such Commitment.

 

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SECTION 5. Payments .

 

5.1. Voluntary Prepayments . The Borrowers shall have the right to prepay the Loans, and the right to allocate such prepayments to Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and/or Acquisition Loans as the Borrowers elect, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, from time to time on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i) the Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of their intent to prepay the Loans, whether such Loans are Acquisition Loans, Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans, the amount of such prepayment, the Type of Loans to be repaid and (in the case of Eurodollar Loans) the specific Borrowing(s) pursuant to which made, which notice (I) shall be given by the Borrowers prior to 10:00 A.M. (Philadelphia time) (x) at least one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment in the case of Base Rate Loans, (y) on the date of such prepayment in the case of Swingline Loans and (z) at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment in the case of Eurodollar Loans and (II) shall, except in the case of Swingline Loans, promptly be transmitted by the Administrative Agent to each of the Lenders;

 

(ii) each prepayment (other than prepayments in full of (x) all outstanding Base Rate Loans or (y) any outstanding Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least (x) $1,000,000, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, (y) $500,000, in the case of Revolving Loans and Acquisition Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans and (z) $100,000, in the case of Swingline Loans and, in each case, if greater, in integral multiples of $100,000, provided , that no partial prepayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans outstanding pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto;

 

(iii) at the time of any prepayment of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1 on any date other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrowers shall pay the amounts required pursuant to Section 2.11;

 

(iv) except as provided in clause (vi) below, each prepayment in respect of any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among such Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing, provided , that at the Borrowers’ election in connection with any prepayment of Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Revolving Loans of a Defaulting Lender;

 

(v) each prepayment of principal of Acquisition Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be applied to reduce the then remaining Scheduled Repayments pro rata (based upon the then remaining principal amounts of the Scheduled Repayments after giving effect to all prior reductions thereto); provided that (x) at any time the Borrowers may, at their option, direct that any voluntary prepayment of Acquisition Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1 (except pursuant to clause (vi) below) be applied (in which case it shall be applied) (I) first , to reduce the first four immediately succeeding Scheduled Repayments (after giving effect to all prior reductions thereto) as of the date of the respective payments pursuant to this Section 5.1 in direct order of maturity and (II) second , to the extent in excess thereof, as otherwise provided above without regard to this proviso and (y) repayments of Acquisition Loans pursuant to clause (vi) below shall only apply to reduce the then remaining Scheduled Repayments to the extent the Acquisition Loans so repaid are not replaced (and are not required to be replaced) pursuant to Section 13.1(b), with any such reductions to reduce the then remaining Scheduled Repayments in

 

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the manner provided above in this clause (v) (without regard to preceding clause (x) of this proviso), unless otherwise specifically agreed by the Required Lenders; and

 

(vi) in the event of a refusal by a Lender to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to this Agreement which has been approved by the requisite Lenders in accordance with Section 13.1(a), the Borrowers shall have the right, subject to obtaining the consents required by Section 13.1(b), upon five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), elect to repay all Loans of such Lender (including all amounts, if any, owing pursuant to Section 2.11), together with accrued and unpaid interest, Fees and all other amounts, if any, then owing to such Lender (or owing to such Lender with respect to each Tranche which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s individual consent), so long as the related Commitment(s) of such Lender are terminated concurrently with the repayment of Loans of any Lender pursuant to this clause (vi) (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect the changed Commitments).

 

5.2. Mandatory Repayments . (a) If on any date the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans (after giving effect to all other repayments thereof on such date) and (y) the Letter of Credit Outstandings on such date, exceeds the Total Revolving Loan Commitment as then in effect, the Borrowers shall repay on such date, the principal of Swingline Loans, and if no Swingline Loans are or remain outstanding, the principal of Revolving Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. If, after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Swingline Loans and all outstanding Revolving Loans, the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings exceeds the Total Revolving Loan Commitment as then in effect, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office on such date an amount in cash equal to such excess (up to the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time) and the Administrative Agent shall hold such payment as security for the obligations of the Borrowers to the Lenders hereunder pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b) In addition to any other mandatory repayments pursuant to this Section 5.2, the Borrowers shall be required to repay the principal amount of each Acquisition Loan in quarterly installments, based on a six year principal amortization schedule of equal quarterly payments, with the first such quarterly principal payment to be made on the date fifteen (15) months following the date such Acquisition Loan was made, with quarterly principal payments to be made on each three (3) month interval thereafter (each a “ Scheduled Repayment ”), provided that if there shall be no corresponding date in any applicable month in which any such principal payment would otherwise be due, such payment shall be due on the last Business Day of such month.

 

(c) In addition to any other mandatory repayments pursuant to this Section 5.2, on each date on or after the Effective Date upon which any Credit Party receives Net Sale Proceeds from any Asset Sale, an amount equal to 100% of the Net Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale shall be applied as a mandatory repayment in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5.2(f); provided that (i) aggregate Net Sale Proceeds received during such fiscal year

 

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may be retained by such Credit Party without giving rise to a mandatory repayment as otherwise required above, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time such Net Sale Proceeds are received and an Authorized Officer of the such Credit Party has delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Sale Proceeds shall be used to purchase capital assets used or to be used in the businesses permitted pursuant to Section 10.1 (including, without limitation (but only to the extent permitted by Section 9.14), the purchase of the Equity Interests of a Person engaged in such businesses) within 180 days following the date of receipt of such Net Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale (which certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended) and (ii) if all or any portion of such Net Sale Proceeds not required to be so applied as a mandatory repayment are not so used within such 180 day period, such remaining portion shall be applied on the last day of such 180 day period (or such earlier date, if any, as such Credit Party determines not to reinvest the Net Sale Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale as set forth above) as a mandatory repayment as provided above (without regard to this proviso).

 

(d) In addition to any other mandatory repayments pursuant to this Section 5.2, on each date on or after the Effective Date on which any Credit Party receives any cash proceeds from (i) any incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.4 as in effect on the Effective Date), (ii) any issuance of Equity Interests by the Partnership (other than the cash proceeds of the issuance of Equity Interests to the extent issued in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that is completed within 180 days before or after the date of receipt of such cash proceeds) or (iii) any issuance of capital stock or other Equity Interests by, or cash capital contributions to, any Subsidiary of the Partnership (other than (x) issuances of common Equity Interests to the Partnership or any other Subsidiary of the Partnership by the Partnership or any other Subsidiary of the Partnership, and (y) cash capital contributions to any Subsidiary of the Partnership by the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of the respective incurrence of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests or cash capital contribution shall be applied as a mandatory repayment in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5.2(f) and (g).

 

(e) In addition to any other mandatory repayments pursuant to this Section 5.2, within 10 days following each date on or after the Effective Date on which any Credit Party receives any proceeds from any Recovery Event (other than proceeds from Recovery Events in an amount less than $500,000 per Recovery Event), an amount equal to 100% of the proceeds of such Recovery Event (net of reasonable costs (including, without limitation, legal costs and expenses) and taxes incurred in connection with such Recovery Event and the amount of such proceeds required to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement) which is secured by the respective assets subject to such Recovery Event) shall be applied as a mandatory repayment in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2(f); provided that (x) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists and such proceeds do not exceed $500,000, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that an Authorized Officer of such Credit Party has delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be used or shall be committed to be used to replace or restore any properties or assets in respect of which such proceeds were paid within 180 days following the date of such Recovery Event (which certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended), and (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists and to the extent that (a) the amount of such

 

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proceeds exceeds $500,000, and (b) an Authorized Officer of such Credit Party has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a certificate on or prior to the date the application would otherwise be required pursuant to this Section 5.2(e) in the form described in clause (x) above, then the entire amount of the proceeds of such Recovery Event and not just the portion in excess of $500,000 shall be deposited with the Collateral Agent pursuant to a cash collateral arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent whereby such proceeds shall be disbursed to such Credit Party from time to time as needed to pay or reimburse such Credit Party in connection with the replacement or restoration of the respective properties or assets (pursuant to such certification requirements as may be established by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), provided further , that at any time while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Lenders may, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, direct the Collateral Agent (in which case the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized by the Credit Parties to, follow said directions) to apply any or all proceeds then on deposit in such collateral account to the repayment of Obligations hereunder in the same manner as proceeds would be applied pursuant to Section 5.2(f), and provided further , that if all or any portion of such proceeds not required to be applied as a mandatory repayment pursuant to the second preceding proviso (whether pursuant to clause (x) or (y) thereof) are not so used within 180 days after the date of the respective Recovery Event then such remaining portion not used shall be applied on the date occurring 180 days after the date of the respective Recovery as a mandatory repayment in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2(f).

 

(f) Each amount required to be applied pursuant to Sections 5.2(c), (d) and (e) in accordance with this Section 5.2(f) shall be applied on and after the Effective Date in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that, if no Indebtedness is outstanding under the Purchase Agreement or the Placement Notes, such amounts will be applied, first, to the extent the Administrative Agent, in its sole determination, determines that such amounts relate to assets acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or of a Borrower so acquired, such amounts shall be used to repay the amounts outstanding under any Acquisition Loan used to fund such Permitted Acquisition, and, second, to the extent such Acquisition Loans are paid in full, and as to all other amounts required to be applied pursuant to Sections 5.2(c), (d) and (e), such amounts shall be applied pro rata among all outstanding Loans, and, in either case, all such repayments of outstanding Acquisition Loans shall be applied to reduce the then remaining Scheduled Repayments in the inverse order in which such payments would be due (based upon the then remaining Scheduled Repayments after giving effect to all prior reductions thereto).

 

(g) With respect to each repayment of Loans required by this Section 5.2, the Borrowers may designate the Types of Loans of the respective Tranche which are to be repaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific Borrowing or Borrowings of the respective Tranche pursuant to which made, provided that: (i) repayments of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this Section 5.2 may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto unless all Eurodollar Loans of the respective Tranche with Interest Periods ending on such date of required repayment and all Base Rate Loans of the respective Tranche have been paid in full; (ii) if any repayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto, such Borrowing shall be converted at the end of the then current Interest Period into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; and (iii) each repayment

 

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of any Tranche of Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among such Tranche of Loans. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above, make such designation in its sole discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.11.

 

(h) In addition, if at any time, for any reason the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans outstanding at such time plus the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time is greater than either (x) the Total Revolving Loan Commitment or (y) the Borrowing Base, then Borrowers, without prior notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender, shall promptly repay such excess to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The amounts paid pursuant to the preceding sentence shall first be applied against outstanding Revolving Loans and the excess shall be held by the Administrative Agent as cash collateral to secure payment of outstanding Letters of Credit. Each such prepayment of Revolving Loans shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to the date of prepayment and any amounts payable under Section 2.11 in connection with such prepayment.

 

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, (i) all then outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid in full on the Swingline Expiry Date, (ii) all other then outstanding Loans shall be repaid in full on the respective Maturity Date for such Loans and (iii) unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing in their sole discretion, all outstanding Loans shall be repaid in full upon the occurrence of a Change of Control.

 

(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option nor the redemption by the Partnership of Partnership Common Units or Partnership Subordinated Units in connection with any such exercise, in each case, as exercised within thirty days of the Effective Date and as otherwise described in the prospectus included in Form S-1 will constitute an Event of Default or trigger a requirement for a mandatory prepayment under this Section 5.2.

 

5.3. Method and Place of Payment . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement or any Note shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lender or Lenders entitled thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time) on the date when due and shall be made in immediately available funds at the Payment Office. Any payments under this Agreement or under any Note which are made later than 12:00 Noon (Philadelphia time) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under any Note shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall accrue during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension.

 

5.4. Net Payments . (a) All payments made by any Credit Party hereunder or under any Credit Document or under any Note will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense. Except as provided in Section 5.4(b), all such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,

 

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fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein with respect to such payments (but excluding, except as provided in the second succeeding sentence, any tax imposed on, measured by or determined by reference to the net income or net profits of a Lender or franchise taxes imposed in lieu thereof pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction in which the principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located or any political subdivision of any such jurisdiction) and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect to such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as “ Taxes ”). If any Taxes are so levied, imposed or collected through withholding or deduction, the Borrowers (or any other Credit Party making the payment) agree to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any Note, after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein or in such Note. If any amounts are payable in respect of Taxes pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Borrowers (or any other Credit Party making the payment) agree to reimburse each Lender, upon the written request of such Lender, for taxes imposed on or measured by the net income or net profits of such Lender pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which the principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located or under the laws of any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which the principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located and for any withholding of taxes as such Lender shall determine are payable by, or withheld from, such Lender in respect of such amounts so paid to or on behalf of such Lender pursuant to the preceding sentence and in respect of any amounts paid to or on behalf of such Lender pursuant to this sentence. The Borrowers (or the respective Credit Party) will furnish to the Administrative Agent within 45 days after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies of tax receipts or other documentation evidencing such payment by the Borrowers (or such Credit Party). The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Lender, and reimburse such Lender upon its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed and paid by such Lender; provided that such Lender shall have provided the Credit Party with evidence, reasonably satisfactory to such Credit Party, of the payment of such Taxes.

 

(b) Each Lender that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes agrees to deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of a Lender that is an assignee or transferee of an interest under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.7 (unless the respective Lender was already a Lender hereunder immediately prior to such assignment or transfer), on the date of such assignment or transfer to such Lender, (i) two accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or W-8BEN (with respect to a complete exemption under an income tax treaty) (or successor forms) certifying to such Lender’s entitlement as of such date to a complete exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and under any Note, or (ii) if the Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and cannot deliver either Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or W-8BEN (with respect to a complete exemption under an income tax treaty) pursuant to clause (i) above, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D (any such certificate, a “ Section 5.4(b)(ii)

 

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Certificate ”) and (y) two accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN with respect to the portfolio interest exemption (or successor form) certifying to such Lender’s entitlement as of such date to a complete exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to payments of interest to be made under this Agreement and under any Note. In addition, each Lender agrees that from time to time after the Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two new accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN (with respect to the benefits of an income tax treaty), or Form W-8BEN (with respect to the portfolio interest exemption) and a Section 5.4(b)(ii) Certificate, as the case may be, and such other forms as may be required in order to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender to a continued complete exemption from or reduction in United States withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Note, or it shall immediately notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of its inability to deliver any such Form or Certificate in which case such Lender shall not be required to deliver any such Form or Certificate pursuant to this Section 5.4(b). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 5.4(a), but subject to Section 13.7(b) and the immediately succeeding sentence, (x) the Borrowers shall be entitled, to the extent it is required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold income or similar taxes imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) from interest, fees or other amounts payable hereunder for the account of any Lender which is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes to the extent that such Lender has not provided to the Borrowers U.S. Internal Revenue Service Forms that establish a complete exemption from such deduction or withholding and (y) the Borrowers shall not be obligated pursuant to Section 5.4(a) hereof to gross-up payments to be made to a Lender in respect of income or similar taxes imposed by the United States if (I) such Lender has not provided to the Borrowers the Internal Revenue Service Forms required to be provided to the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 5.4(b) or (II) in the case of a payment to a Lender, to the extent that such Forms do not establish a complete exemption from withholding of such taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the preceding sentence or elsewhere in this Section 5.4 and except as set forth in Section 13.7(b), the Borrowers agree to pay additional amounts and to indemnify each Lender in the manner set forth in Section 5.4(a) (without regard to the identity of the jurisdiction requiring the deduction or withholding) in respect of any amounts deducted or withheld by it as described in the immediately preceding sentence as a result of any changes that are effective after the Effective Date in any applicable law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or in the interpretation thereof, relating to the deducting or withholding of such Taxes (or, if later, the date such Lender became party to this Agreement).

 

(c) If the Borrowers pay any additional amount under this Section 5.4 to a Lender and such Lender determines in its sole discretion that it has actually received or realized in connection therewith any refund or any reduction of, release or remission for or credit against, its Tax liabilities in or with respect to the taxable year in which the additional amount is paid (a “ Tax Benefit ”), such Lender shall pay to the Borrowers an amount that the Lender shall, in its sole discretion, determine is equal to the net benefit, after tax, which was obtained by the Lender in such year as a consequence of such refund, reduction, release or remission for or credit; provided that (i) any Lender may determine in its sole discretion consistent with the policies of such Lender whether to seek a Tax Benefit, (ii) any Taxes that are imposed on a Lender as a

 

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result of a disallowance or reduction (including through the expiration of any tax carryover or carryback of such Lender that otherwise would not have expired) of any Tax Benefit with respect to which such Lender has made a payment to the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 5.4(c) shall be treated as a Tax for which the Borrowers are obligated to indemnify such Lender pursuant to this Section 5.4 without any exclusions or defenses, (iii) nothing in this Section 5.4(c) shall require a Lender to disclose any confidential information to the Borrowers (including, without limitation, its tax returns), and (iv) no Lender shall be required to pay any amounts pursuant to this Section 5.4(c) at any time a Default or Event of Default then exists.

 

(d) The provisions of this Section 5.4 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable).

 

SECTION 6. Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Events . The obligation of each Lender to make each Loan hereunder, and the obligation of the Letter of Credit Issuer to issue each Letter of Credit hereunder, in either case on the Effective Date, is subject, at the time of the making of such Loans or the issuance of such Letters of Credit to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

6.1. Execution of Agreement; Notes . There shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender which has requested the same the appropriate Acquisition Note and Revolving Note and to the Swingline Lender if so requested, the Swingline Note, in each case executed by the Borrowers and in the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided herein.

 

6.2. Officer’s Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the General Partner, dated such date signed by an Authorized Officer of the Partnership, stating that all of the applicable conditions set forth in Sections 6.8, 6.9 and 7.1 (other than such conditions that are expressly subject to the satisfaction of any Agent and/or the Required Lenders), have been satisfied on such date.

 

6.3. Opinions of Counsel . The Administrative Agent shall have received opinions, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders and dated the Effective Date, from (i) Blank Rome LLP counsel to the Credit Parties, which opinion shall cover such matters regarding the Credit Documents, the Note Purchase Documents and other documents and matters incident to the Transaction contemplated herein as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) Vinson & Elkins, as to certain securities and tax matters, (iii) Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, as to certain private placement matters, (iii) local counsel to the Borrowers, as to the Mortgages and other Credit Documents relating to Real Property, and (iv) special counsel to the Credit Parties as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, which opinion or opinions shall be in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

6.4. Corporate Documents; Proceedings . (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each Credit Party an officer’s certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed by the chairman, a vice-chairman, the president or any vice-president of such Credit Party, and attested to by the secretary or any assistant secretary of such Credit Party, together with copies of

 

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the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or equivalent organizational documents of such Credit Party and the resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate and all of the foregoing (including each such certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational document) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b) All Company proceedings and all instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all information and copies of all certificates, documents and papers, including good standing certificates, bring-down certificates and any other records of Company proceedings and governmental approvals, if any, which the Administrative Agent reasonably may have requested in connection therewith, such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be certified by proper Company or governmental authorities.

 

6.5. Adverse Change, etc. Nothing shall have occurred since December 31, 2003 which (i) the Required Lenders or any Agent shall reasonably determine (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) has had a material adverse effect on the Transaction.

 

6.6. Litigation . Other than as set forth on Schedule XI hereto, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened, nor has any Credit Party received any notices of a claim, (a) with respect to any Document, or any portion of the Transaction, or (b) against any Credit Party (i) as to which the amount in controversy is in excess of $100,000 (unless coverage for such claim has been acknowledged by the related insurer, subject to standard deductibles) or (ii) if adversely determined could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.7. Approvals . All (i) necessary governmental, regulatory and third party approvals and filings in connection with any Existing Indebtedness, all portions of the Transaction, the transactions contemplated by the Documents and otherwise referred to herein or therein shall have been obtained or filed, including, without limitation, Form S-1, and remain in full force and effect and evidence thereof shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon the consummation of the Transaction, the making of the Loans and the transactions contemplated by the Documents or otherwise referred to herein or therein. Additionally, there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending or notified prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon, or materially delaying, or making economically unfeasible, the consummation of the Transaction or the making of the Loans.

 

6.8. Termination of Existing Credit Agreements . (a) All commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated, all loans outstanding thereunder and under all Indebtedness To Be Refinanced shall have been repaid in full, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, all accrued and unpaid fees thereon shall have been paid in full, all letters of credit issued thereunder shall have been terminated and all other amounts owing pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been repaid in full.

 

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(b) All security interests in respect of, and Liens securing, the Indebtedness To Be Refinanced shall have been terminated and released to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such releases as may have been requested by the Administrative Agent, which releases shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, there shall have been delivered (i) proper termination statements (Form UCC-3 or the appropriate equivalent) for filing under the UCC of each jurisdiction where a financing statement (Form UCC-1 or the equivalent) was filed with respect to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the security interests securing the Indebtedness To Be Refinanced and the documentation related thereto, (ii) a termination or reassignment of any security interest in, or Lien on, any patents, trademarks, copyrights or similar interests of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries on which filings have been made to secure obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement, fully executed by the appropriate parties, (iii) terminations of all mortgages, leasehold mortgages, deeds of trust and leasehold deeds of trust created with respect to property of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, to secure the obligations in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement, all of which shall be in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iv) all collateral owned by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in the possession of any of the creditors in respect of the Indebtedness To Be Refinanced or any collateral agent or trustee under any related security document shall have been returned to the Partnership or such Subsidiary.

 

(c) After giving effect to the Transaction, the Credit Parties shall not have outstanding any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.4, and all such Indebtedness which is to remain outstanding after the Effective Date shall not be subject to any default or event of default existing thereunder or arising as a result of the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d) The net proceeds to the Partnership of its Qualified IPO and the issuance of the notes pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement shall be adequate to repay in full (i) all amounts required to be paid pursuant to (a) above, and (ii) all costs, fees and expenses in connection with each portion of the Transaction.

 

6.9. Note Purchase Agreement . (a) The Operating Company shall have received the net cash proceeds from the issuance of notes by it under the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

(b) (i) The incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Documents therefor and all applicable law, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received true and correct copies of all Note Purchase Documents, certified as such by an appropriate officer of the Partnership, (ii) all such Note Purchase Documents and all terms and conditions thereof (including, without limitation, amortization, maturities, interest rates, covenants, defaults, remedies, guaranties and guarantors) shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and the Required Lenders, (iii) all such Note Purchase Documents shall be in full force and effect and (iv) all conditions precedent to the consummation of the incurrence of loans pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement as set forth therein shall have been satisfied, and not waived unless consented to by each Agent and the Required Lenders, to the reasonable satisfaction of each Agent and the Required Lenders.

 

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6.10. Intercreditor Agreement . Each Credit Party, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Purchasers and the Collateral Agent shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement in the form of Exhibit K hereto (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”), and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

 

6.11. Security Documents; etc. (a) Each Credit Party shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit G (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, the “ Pledge Agreement ”) and shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent, as pledgee thereunder, all of the certificated Pledge Agreement Collateral referred to therein then owned by such Credit Party and required to be pledged pursuant to the terms thereof, (x) endorsed in blank in the case of promissory notes, Intercompany Notes and Certificates of Indebtedness or (y) accompanied by executed and undated transfer powers in the case of certificated Equity Interests, along with evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable, to perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Pledge Agreement have been taken, and the Pledge Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

 

(b) Each Credit Party shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered a Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit H (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, the “ Security Agreement ”) covering all of the Security Agreement Collateral, together with:

 

(i) Financing Statements (Form UCC-1) or appropriate local equivalent in appropriate form for filing under the UCC or appropriate local equivalent of each jurisdiction as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement;

 

(ii) uniform commercial code, tax, and judgment lien search results against each Credit Party evidencing the absence of Liens on each such Credit Party’s Real Property, personal property and other assets other than Permitted Liens;

 

(iii) evidence of the completion of all other recordings and filings of, or with respect to, the Security Agreement as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable, to perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement; and

 

(iv) evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable, to perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Security Agreement have been taken,

 

and the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

 

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(c) The Collateral Agent shall have received:

 

(i) fully executed counterparts of Mortgages in form and substance consistent with applicable law of the jurisdictions in which the Real Property is located and reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, which Mortgages shall cover such of the Real Property owned or leased by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Transaction) as are designated on Schedule III as a Mortgaged Property, together with Borrowers’ escrow instructions to the title insurer evidencing that counterparts of the Mortgages have been delivered to the title insurance company insuring the lien of such Mortgage for recording in all places to the extent necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to effectively create a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on each Mortgaged Property in favor of the Collateral Agent (or such other trustee as may be required or desirable under local law) for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, subject to Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(ii) Title insurance policies issued by a reputable title insurer selected by Borrowers and reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (“ Mortgage Policies ”) on each Mortgaged Property in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (but not to exceed the fair or reasonable market value of such Mortgaged Property) assuring the Collateral Agent that the Mortgages on such Mortgaged Properties are valid and enforceable first priority mortgage liens on the respective Mortgaged Properties, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances and such Mortgage Policies shall otherwise be on a standard 1970 or 1992 American Land Title Association form title insurance policy and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and shall include, as appropriate, an endorsement for future advances under this Agreement and the Notes and for any other matter that the Collateral Agent may request, shall not include an exception for mechanics’ liens or creditors’ rights, and shall provide for affirmative insurance and such reinsurance (including direct access agreements) as the Collateral Agent may request;

 

(iii) satisfactory copies of “Phase I” environmental reports prepared within 60 days prior to the Effective Date in connection with the Mortgaged Property described on Schedule XII hereto.

 

(iv) appraisals of the Mortgaged Property described on Schedule XII hereto.

 

6.12. Material Agreements . There shall have been made available for inspection and copying to the Administrative Agent, at its request, true and correct copies, certified (in the case of the agreements referred to in clause (ii), (iii), (vi) and (vii) below) as true and complete by an Authorized Officer of the General Partner of:

 

(i) all Plans (and for each Plan that is required to file an annual report on Internal Revenue Service Form 5500-series, a copy of the most recent such report (including, to the extent required, the related financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements, certifications, schedules and information), and for each Plan that is a “single-employer plan,” as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, the most recently prepared actuarial valuation therefor) and any other “employee

 

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benefit plans,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and any other material agreements, plans or arrangements, with or for the benefit of current or former employees of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate (provided that the foregoing shall apply in the case of any multiemployer plan, as defined in 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, only to the extent that any document described therein is in the possession of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate or reasonably available thereto from the sponsor or trustee of any such plan) (collectively, the “ Employee Benefit Plans ”);

 

(ii) all agreements (including, without limitation, shareholders’ agreements, subscription agreements and registration rights agreements) entered into by any Credit Party governing the terms and relative rights of the Equity Interests of the entity that is a party to such agreement and any agreements entered into by shareholders relating to any such entity with respect to its Equity Interests to which such entity is also a party (collectively, the “ Shareholders’ Agreements ”);

 

(iii) all material agreements entered into by any Credit Party with respect to the management of any Credit Party after giving effect to the Transaction (including consulting agreements and other management advisory agreements but excluding employment agreements) (collectively, the “ Management Agreements ”);

 

(iv) all collective bargaining agreements applying or relating to any employee of any Credit Party after giving effect to the Transaction (collectively, the “ Collective Bargaining Agreements ”);

 

(v) all agreements evidencing or relating to any Existing Indebtedness of any Credit Party in excess of $250,000 (collectively, the “ Existing Indebtedness Agreements ”);

 

(vi) any tax sharing or tax allocation agreements entered into by any Credit Party (collectively, the “ Tax Allocation Agreements ”); and

 

(vii) all material employment agreements entered into by any Credit Party (collectively, the “ Employment Agreements ”).

 

all of which Employee Benefit Plans, Shareholders’ Agreements, Management Agreements, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Existing Indebtedness Agreements, Tax Allocation Agreements and Employment Agreements shall be in full force and effect on the Effective Date.

 

6.13. Solvency Certificate; Insurance Certificates . The Administrative Agent shall have received:

 

(a) a solvency certificate in the form of Exhibit I from the chief financial officer of the General Partner, dated the Effective Date, and supporting the conclusion that, after giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all financings contemplated herein, the Partnership (on a stand-alone basis), the Operating Company (on a stand-alone basis), the Partnership and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) and the Operating Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), in each case, taking into account any rights of subrogation and contribution among the Credit Parties, are not

 

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insolvent and will not be rendered insolvent by the indebtedness incurred in connection herewith, will not be left with unreasonably small capital with which to engage in its or their respective businesses and will not have incurred debts beyond its or their ability to pay such debts as they mature and become due; and

 

(b) evidence of insurance complying with the requirements of Section 9.3 for the business and properties of the Credit Parties, in scope, form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured and/or loss payee, and stating that such insurance shall not be canceled or materially revised without at least 30 days’ prior written notice by the insurer to the Collateral Agent.

 

6.14. Financial Information . There shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent: (a) true and correct copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 8.10(b); (b) an unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP, as of June 30, 2004, calculated as if the Transaction and the incurrence of all Indebtedness (including the Loans) contemplated herein had occurred on such date (the “ Pro Forma Balance Sheet ”); (c) a completed Borrowing Base Certificate, prepared as of July 31, 2004; and (d) a reasonably satisfactory funds flow statement related to the Transaction.

 

6.15. Payment of Existing Indebtedness Agreements . Evidence that all Existing Indebtedness Agreements, other than those described on Schedule IV, shall been paid in full; and any commitments thereunder have terminated, including, without limitations, the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

6.16. Payment of Fees . All costs, fees and expenses, and all other compensation due to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) shall have been paid to the extent then due.

 

SECTION 7. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events . The obligation of each Lender to make Loans (including Loans made on the Effective Date, but excluding Mandatory Borrowings made after the Effective Date, which shall be made as provided in Section 2.1(d)), and the obligation of a Letter of Credit Issuer to issue any Letter of Credit, is subject, at the time of each such Credit Event (except as hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

7.1. No Default; Representations and Warranties . At the time of each such Credit Event and immediately after giving effect thereto (i) there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all representations and warranties contained herein or in any other Credit Document shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on the date of such Credit Event (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date).

 

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7.2. Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request . (a) Prior to the making of each Loan (excluding Swingline Loans and Mandatory Borrowings), the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 2.3(a). Prior to the making of any Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender shall have received the notice required by Section 2.3(b)(i).

 

(b) Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the respective Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received a Letter of Credit Request meeting the requirements of Section 3.2(a).

 

The occurrence of the initial Borrowing and the acceptance of the benefits or proceeds of each Credit Event shall constitute a representation and warranty by each of the Partnership and the Borrowers to each Agent and each of the Lenders that all the conditions specified in Section 6 (with respect to Credit Events occurring on the Effective Date) and in this Section 7 (with respect to each Credit Event) (other than such conditions that are expressly subject to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and/or the Required Lenders) exist as of that time. All of the Notes, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in Section 6 and in this Section 7, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent at the Notice Office for the account of each of the Lenders and, except for the Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders.

 

SECTION 8. Representations and Warranties . In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue and/or participate in the Letters of Credit provided for herein, each of the Partnership and the Borrowers makes the following representations and warranties with the Lenders, in each case after giving effect to the Transaction, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit (with the occurrence of the Effective Date and each Credit Event on or after the Effective Date being deemed to constitute a representation and warranty that the matters specified in this Section 8 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of each such Credit Event, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date):

 

8.1. Company Status . Each of the Credit Parties (i) is a duly organized and validly existing Company in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has the Company power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified and where the failure to be so qualified (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership.

 

8.2. Company Power and Authority . Each of the Credit Parties has the Company power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary Company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Documents to which it is a party. Each of Credit Parties has

 

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duly executed and delivered each Document to which it is a party and each such Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

8.3. No Violation . Neither the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by any Credit Party with the terms and provisions thereof, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein,

 

(a) on the Effective Date, (i) will contravene, conflict with or result in a breach or default under any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction, judgment, ruling or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will contravene, constitute a default under, conflict or be inconsistent with or result in any breach of, any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or (other than pursuant to the Security Documents) result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of any Credit Party pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which any Credit Party is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets are bound or to which it may be subject (including, without limitation, the Existing Indebtedness Agreements) or (iii) will contravene or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited liability company, limited liability company agreement or equivalent organizational document, as the case may be, any Credit Party, or

 

(b) after the Effective Date, (i) will contravene, conflict with or result in a breach or default under any material provision of any material applicable law, statute, rule or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction, judgment, ruling or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will contravene, constitute a default under, conflict or be inconsistent with or result in any breach of, any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or (other than pursuant to the Security Documents) result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of any Credit Party pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, credit agreement or any other material agreement or instrument to which any Credit Party is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets are bound or to which it may be subject (including, without limitation, the Existing Indebtedness Agreements) or (iii) will contravene or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited liability company, limited liability company agreement or equivalent organizational document, as the case may be, any Credit Party.

 

8.4. Litigation . Other than as set forth on Schedule XI hereto as of the Effective Date, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting, nor has any Credit Party received any notices of a claim, (a) with respect to any Document, or any portion of the Transaction, or (b) against any Credit Party (i) as to which the amount in controversy is in excess of $100,000 (unless, to the

 

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extent such controversy arise after the Effective Date, coverage for such claim has been acknowledged by the related insurer, subject to standard deductibles) or (ii) that if adversely determined could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the occurrence of any Credit Event.

 

8.5. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . (a) The proceeds of the Acquisition Loans shall be utilized by the Borrowers to finance Permitted Acquisitions.

 

(b) The proceeds of all Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans shall be utilized to finance working capital requirements, finance Capital Expenditures, and other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers (which in no case will include Permitted Acquisitions). The proceeds of all Interim Borrowings shall be utilized by the Borrowers solely to fund regularly scheduled quarterly distributions by the Partnership in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. The proceeds of Non-Interim Borrowings and Swingline Loans shall not be utilized by the Borrowers to (i) fund any distributions by the Partnership, whether scheduled quarterly or otherwise and whether in accordance with the Partnership Agreement or not, or (ii) repay Interim Borrowings.

 

(c) No part of any Credit Event (or the proceeds thereof) will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof nor the occurrence of any other Credit Event will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

8.6. Governmental Approvals . Except as may have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date (and which remain in full force and effect on the Effective Date), no order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any foreign or domestic governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize or is required in connection with (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any Document (other than filings contemplated by the Security Documents) or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Document.

 

8.7. Investment Company Act . None of the Credit Parties is, or has at any time been, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

8.8. Public Utility Holding Company Act . None the Credit Parties is, or has at any time been, a “holding company,” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

 

8.9. True and Complete Disclosure . All factual information (taken as a whole) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Credit Parties in writing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender (including, without limitation, all information contained in the Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement

 

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or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of any such Persons in writing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. It is understood that the Projections and the Pro Forma Balance Sheet and other pro forma calculations and budgets furnished or to be furnished hereunder do not constitute factual information for purposes of this Section 8.9. There are no facts known to any Credit Party which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

8.10. Financial Condition; Financial Statements . (a) On and as of the Effective Date, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transaction, and to all Indebtedness (including the Loans) incurred, and to be incurred, and Liens created, and to be created, by each Credit Party in connection therewith, with respect to (i) the Partnership (on a stand-alone basis), (ii) the Operating Company (on a stand-alone basis), (iii) the Partnership and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) and (iv) the Operating Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), in each case, taking into account any rights of subrogation and contribution among the Credit Parties (x) the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of the Partnership (on a stand-alone basis), the Operating Company (on a stand-alone basis), the Partnership and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) and the Operating Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will exceed its or their debts, (y) it has or they have not incurred nor intended to, nor believes or believe that it or they will, incur debts beyond its or their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature and (z) it or they will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its or their business. For purposes of this Section 8.10, “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (i) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (ii) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

 

(b) (i) The audited consolidated statements of financial condition of Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow for such date, (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal quarter of the Partnership ended June 30, 2004, and the related consolidated statements income and cash flow for the fiscal quarter then ended, and (iii) the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, all furnished to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date, in each case present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries at the date of such statements of financial condition and the results of operations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby (or, in the case of the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, presents a good faith estimate of the consolidated pro forma financial condition of the Partnership as at the date of the preparation thereof after giving effect to the Transaction at the date thereof or for the period covered thereby), subject, in the case of unaudited financial

 

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statements, to normal year-end adjustments. All such financial statements (other than the aforesaid Pro Forma Balance Sheet) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and practices consistently applied, except, in the case of the quarterly and monthly statements, for the omission of footnotes and ordinary end of period adjustments and accruals (all of which are of a recurring nature and none of which individually, or in the aggregate, would be material).

 

(c) After giving effect to the Transaction, since December 31, 2003 (but assuming the Transaction had occurred immediately prior to such date), nothing has occurred that (x) has had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Except as fully reflected in the financial statements described in Sections 8.10(b) and as otherwise permitted by Section 10.4, (i) there were as of the Effective Date (and after giving effect to any Loans made, and transactions occurring, on such date), no liabilities or obligations with respect to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) neither the Partnership nor any Borrower knows of any basis for the assertion against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries of any such liability or obligation which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have had a Material Adverse Effect or (y) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) The Projections have been prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements referred to in Section 8.10(b), and are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of the Partnership, which assumptions such management believed were reasonable on the Effective Date, it being recognized by the Lenders that such projections of future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ from the projected results contained therein and such differences may be material.

 

8.11. Security Interests . On and after the Effective Date, each of the Security Documents creates (or after the execution, delivery and recordation thereof will create), as security for the Obligations, a valid and enforceable perfected security interest in and Lien on all of the Collateral subject thereto, superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except as set forth in the next parenthetical), and subject to no other Liens (except that (i) the Security Agreement Collateral may be subject to Permitted Liens, (ii) the Pledge Agreement Collateral may be subject to the Liens described in clauses (i) and (v) of Section 10.3 and (iii) the security interest and mortgage lien created on any Mortgaged Property may be subject to Permitted Liens), in favor of the Collateral Agent. No filings or recordings are required in order to perfect the security interests created under any Security Document except for filings or recordings required in connection with any such Security Document which shall have been made on or prior to the Effective Date as contemplated by Section 6.11 or on or prior to the execution and delivery thereof to the extent contemplated by Sections 9.11 and 10.15.

 

8.12. Compliance with ERISA . Schedule V sets forth, as of the Effective Date, each Plan and each Multiemployer Plan that is a pension plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a “ Pension Plan ”) of the Partnership. Each Pension Plan (and each related trust,

 

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insurance contract or fund, if any) is in, and the material compliance thereof has been in, material compliance with its terms and with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code; each Pension Plan (and each related trust, if any) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a determination letter or an opinion letter since January 1, 2001 from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it meets the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code; no Reportable Event has occurred that could reasonably be expected to result in any Material liability for the Partnership, any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate; no Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; except as set forth on Schedule V with respect to the Pension Plans set forth therein, no Pension Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability which, when added to the aggregate amount of Unfunded Current Liabilities with respect to all other Plans (after taking into account the amount of Unfunded Current Liabilities set forth on Schedule V with respect to the Pension Plans set forth thereon), exceeds $250,000; no Pension Plan which is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has an accumulated funding deficiency, within the meaning of such sections of the Code or ERISA, or has applied for or received a waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or an extension of any amortization period, within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA; all contributions required to be made with respect to a Plan and a Multiemployer Plan have been timely made; neither the Partnership nor any Subsidiary of the Partnership nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any Material liability (including any indirect, contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of the Code or, to the knowledge of the Partnership or the Borrowers, reasonably expects to incur any such Material liability under any of the foregoing sections with respect to any Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; no condition exists which presents a Material risk to the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring a Material liability to or on account of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code; no proceedings have been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Pension Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, audit or investigation with respect to the administration, operation or the investment of assets of any Pension Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) is pending, expected or, to the knowledge of the Partnership or the Borrowers, threatened that could reasonably be expected to result in any Material liability for the Partnership, any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate; using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates would not have any Material liabilities to any Multiemployer Plan in the event of a withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan ended prior to the date of the most recent Credit Event; each group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) which covers or has covered employees or former employees of the Partnership, any Subsidiary of the Partnership, or any ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in compliance with the provisions of Part 6 of subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code except to the extent that such noncompliance would not result in a Material liability; each group health plan (as defined in 45 Code of Federal Regulations Section 160.103) which covers or has covered employees or former employees of the Partnership, any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in compliance with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of

 

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1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, except to the extent that any such failure could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material liability; no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate exists or to the knowledge of the Partnership or the Borrowers, could reasonably be expected to arise on account of any Plan or any Multiemployer Plan; and the Partnership and its Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) the obligations with respect to which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.13. Capitalization . On the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the outstanding Equity Interests in the Partnership shall consist of (i) the general partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) the incentive distribution rights, (iii) 4,239,782 common units (such common units, together with any subsequently issued or issuable common units of the Partnership, collectively, the “ Partnership Common Units ”) and (iv) 4,239,782 subordinated units (the “ Partnership Subordinated Units ”). On the Effective Date, and after giving effect to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby, all outstanding Equity Interests in the Partnership have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and free of any preemptive rights. As of the Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule X hereto, the Partnership does not have outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its units or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims for the issuance of the Partnership Common Units. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Borrower have been validly issued, are fully paid and (to the extent applicable) nonassessable and, except as set forth on Schedule VII hereto, are owned by a Credit Party free and clear of any Lien other than any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.14. Subsidiaries . On and as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction, the Partnership has no Subsidiaries other than the Borrowers, and the Borrowers have no Subsidiaries other than those other Borrowers described as such on Schedule VII. Schedule VII correctly sets forth, as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction, the percentage ownership (direct and indirect) of each Credit Party in each class of capital stock or other Equity Interests of each of its Subsidiaries and also identifies the direct owner thereof. All outstanding shares of Equity Interests of each Borrower have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and, in the case of the corporate Borrowers, non-assessable, and have been issued free of any preemptive rights. No Borrower has outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its Equity Interests or outstanding any right to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options or warrants for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of or any calls, commitments or claims of any character relating to, its Equity Interests or any stock appreciation or similar rights. On the Effective Date, no encumbrance or restriction not permitted by Section 10.14 exists.

 

8.15. Intellectual Property, etc . Each of the Credit Parties owns or has the rights to use all patents, trademarks, permits, service marks, trade names, technology copyrights, licenses, franchises and formulas, or other rights with respect to the foregoing, reasonably necessary for the conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others

 

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which, or the failure to obtain which, as the case may be, (x) has had (unless same has ceased to exist in all respects) or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no product of any Credit Party infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person, and to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, there is no material violation by any Person of any rights of any Credit Party with respect to any patent, copyright, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by any Credit Party.

 

8.16. Compliance with Statutes; Agreements, etc. Each of the Credit Parties is in compliance with (i) all applicable statutes, regulations, rules and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property and (ii) all contracts and agreements to which it is a party, except such non-compliance as could not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.17. Environmental Matters . (a) Each of the Credit Parties has complied with, and on the date of each Credit Event is in compliance with, applicable Environmental Laws and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws and no Credit Party is liable for any Material penalties, fines or forfeitures for failure to comply with any of the foregoing. There are no pending or past Environmental Claims, or, to the best knowledge of any Credit Party, any threatened Environmental Claims against any Credit Party or any Real Property owned or operated by any Credit Party. There are no facts, circumstances, conditions or occurrences on any Real Property now or formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party or on any property adjoining or in the vicinity of any such Real Property that would reasonably be expected (i) to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any such Real Property or (ii) to cause any such Real Property to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such Real Property by any Credit Party under any applicable Environmental Law. To the extent that the current or former operations of any Credit Party require such Credit Party to apply for and obtain a permit under any Environmental Law, such permit has either been granted to, or timely applied for by, the Credit Party, and such Credit Party, if such permit has not yet been granted, does not have any reason to believe that the application for such a permit will be denied or that compliance with such permit will have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated, used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, any Real Property now or formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and as may be reasonably required in connection with the operation, use and maintenance of such Real Property by a Credit Party’s business. Hazardous Materials have not at any time been Released or threatened to be Released on or from any Real Property owned or operated by any Credit Party or by any person acting for or under contract to such Credit Party, or to the knowledge of the Credit Party, by any other Person in respect of Real Property owned or operated by such Credit Party, except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws. At any Real Property formerly owned or operated by any Credit Party or by any person acting for or under contract to such Credit Party, or, to the knowledge of the Credit Party, by any other Person, there was not, during the time such Credit Party, or any Person owning or operating such Real Property for

 

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such Credit Party owned or operated such Real Property, any Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Materials onto or from such Real Property.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.17, the representations made in this Section 8.17 shall only be untrue if the aggregate effect of all conditions, failures, noncompliances, Environmental Claims, Hazardous Materials, Releases and presence of underground storage tanks, in each case of the types described above, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.18. Properties . All Real Property owned by any Credit Party and all material Leaseholds leased by any Credit Party, in each case as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction, and the nature of the interest therein, is correctly set forth in Schedule III. Each Credit Party has good and marketable title to, or a validly subsisting leasehold interest in, all material properties owned or leased by it, including all Real Property reflected in Schedule III and in the financial statements (including the Pro Forma Balance Sheet) referred to in Section 8.10(b) (except such properties sold in the ordinary course of business since the dates of the respective financial statements referred to therein), free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

8.19. Labor Relations . No Credit Party is engaged in any unfair labor practice that (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any of them, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any of them, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending against any Credit Party or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any Credit Party and (iii) no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Credit Party and no union organizing activities are taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as (x) has not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.20. Tax Returns and Payments . Each Credit Party has timely filed all federal income tax returns and all other tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it and has paid all taxes and assessments payable by it which have become due, except for (a) tax returns (other than Federal tax returns), the failure of which to file could not reasonably be expected to be Material and (b) taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) being contested in good faith and adequately disclosed and fully provided for on the financial statements of such Credit Party in accordance with GAAP. Each Credit Party has at all times paid, or has provided adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of such Credit Party) for the payment of, all federal, state and foreign income taxes applicable for all prior fiscal years and for the current fiscal year to date. There is no material action, suit, proceeding, investigation, audit, or claim now pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened by any authority regarding any taxes relating to any Credit Party. No Credit Party knows of any basis for any other taxes or assessments that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Credit Party has entered into an agreement or waiver or been requested to enter into an

 

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agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to the payment or collection of taxes of any Credit Party, or is aware of any circumstances that would cause the taxable years or other taxable periods of any Credit Party not to be subject to the normally applicable statute of limitations. The income of the Partnership, of the Operating Company and of the Subsidiaries of the Operating Company that are intended by the Partnership to be treated as disregarded entities pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 301.7701-3, is not subject to federal income tax at the company level.

 

8.21. Existing Indebtedness . Schedule IV sets forth a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of the Credit Parties as of the Effective Date and which is to remain outstanding after giving effect to the Transaction (excluding (i) the Obligations and (ii) the Indebtedness pursuant to the Note Purchase Documents) (the “ Existing Indebtedness ”), in each case showing the aggregate principal amount thereof and the name of the respective borrower and any other entity which directly or indirectly guaranteed such debt.

 

8.22. Insurance . Set forth on Schedule VIII hereto is a true, correct and complete summary of all insurance carried by each Credit Party on and as of the Effective Date (immediately after giving effect to the Transaction), with the amounts insured set forth therein.

 

8.23. Transaction . At the time of consummation thereof, each element of the Transaction shall have been consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the relevant Documents therefor and all applicable laws. At the time of consummation thereof, all consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all governmental agencies, authorities or instrumentalities required in order to make or consummate each element of the Transaction in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the relevant Documents therefor and all applicable laws have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial relief with respect thereto has been obtained). All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all such cases, any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse conditions upon the Transaction. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon any element of the Transaction, the occurrence of any Credit Event, or the performance by any Credit Party of their respective obligations under the Documents and all applicable laws.

 

8.24. Tax Shelter Regulations . The Borrowers do not intend to treat any Loan or Letter of Credit and related transactions as being a “reportable transaction” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4). In the event any Borrower determines to take any action inconsistent with such intention, it will promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof. If any Borrower so notifies the Administrative Agent, such Borrower acknowledges that one or more of the Lenders may treat its Loans, its interest in Swingline Loans and/or Letters of Credit as part of a transaction that is subject to Treasury Regulation Section 301.6112-1, and such Lender or Lenders, as applicable, will maintain the lists and other records required by such Treasury Regulation.

 

8.25. Common Enterprise . Each Borrower is engaged solely in a Permitted Business as of the Effective Date. These operations require financing on a basis such that the

 

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credit supplied can be made available from time to time to the Borrowers, as required for the continued successful operation of the Borrowers as a whole. The Borrowers have requested the Lender to make credit available hereunder primarily for the purposes set forth in Section 8.5. The Credit Parties expect to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from a portion of the credit extended by the Lenders hereunder, both in its separate capacity and as a member of the group of companies, since the successful operation and condition of the Credit Parties is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group as a whole. The Credit Parties acknowledge that, but for the agreement by each of the Credit Parties to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders would not have made available the credit facilities established on the terms set forth herein.

 

8.26. Compliance with Cemetery Laws . Each of the Credit Parties has complied in all material respects with, and on the date of each Credit Event is in material compliance with, all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative orders, and other orders governing the operation of cemeteries, the providing of cemetery services, and the sale of cemetery merchandise, including, but not limited to: (1) obtaining and maintaining valid registration, permits, and certificates to conduct the cemetery business from the appropriate governmental authorities; (2) employing qualified representatives, employees, and sales agents who are registered with the appropriate governmental authorities; (3) submitting all required notices, records, statements, affidavits, financial reports and other documents, in form and substance, to the appropriate governmental authorities; (4) selling cemetery merchandise and cemetery services, including making required disclosures, in accordance with applicable laws; (5) using contracts, agreements, and other documents in form, wording and substance that comply with applicable laws; (6) establishing, funding and administering trust or escrow accounts, including, but not limited to, Trust Accounts, in accordance with applicable laws; (7) appointing qualified trustees and escrow agents to manage and administer trust funds established under applicable state laws; (8) maintaining and caring for cemeteries with the standard of care required by applicable laws; (9) constructing columbaria and mausoleums in accordance with applicable laws; (10) canceling contracts for cemetery services and cemetery merchandise, including making refunds to consumers, in accordance with applicable laws; (11) owning no more than the maximum amount of land permitted for cemetery and burial use under applicable laws; and (12) establishing cemeteries in areas permitted by applicable laws. Furthermore, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened claims or suspensions against the Credit Parties by any person, entity or governmental authority related to the operation of cemeteries, the providing of cemetery services, and the sale of cemetery merchandise.

 

8.27. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc . No Credit Event nor any Credit Party’s use of the proceeds thereof will violate (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, no Issuer (a) is or will become a person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) or (b) knowingly engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or be otherwise associated, with any such person. The Credit Parties are in compliance with the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing

 

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Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA Patriot Act of 2001).

 

SECTION 9. Affirmative Covenants . Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that as of the Effective Date and thereafter for so long as this Agreement is in effect and until the Total Commitment and all Letters of Credit have terminated, and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations (other than any indemnities described in Section 13.13(b) which are not then due and payable) incurred hereunder, are paid in full:

 

9.1. Information Covenants . The Partnership will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

(a) Quarterly Financial Statements . Within 45 days after the close of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Partnership, the consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarterly accounting period and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such quarterly accounting period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly accounting period, all of which shall be in reasonable detail and certified by the senior financial officer or other Authorized Officer of the General Partner that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b) Annual Financial Statements . Within 95 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case to the effect that such statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years, together with a certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of its regular audit of the business of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, no Default or Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing as a result of Sections 10.8, 10.9 or 10.10 has come to their attention or, if such a Default or an Event of Default has come to their attention, a statement as to the nature thereof.

 

(c) Monthly Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificates . Within (i) 35 days after the last day of each month (or 45 day after the last day of any month that is the end of a fiscal quarter), the consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such monthly accounting period and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such monthly accounting period and accounts receivable and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or provided to the Noteholders, accounts payable agings, all of which shall be in reasonable detail and certified

 

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by the senior financial officer or other Authorized Officer of the General Partner that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and changes in their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) 30 days after the last day of each month a duly executed Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the Borrowing Base as of the last day of such calendar month.

 

(d) Budgets, etc . Not more than 60 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Partnership, consolidated budgets of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries in reasonable detail for each of the four fiscal quarters of such fiscal year, in each case as prepared by management in accordance with GAAP and setting forth the principal assumptions upon which such budgets are based.

 

(e) Compliance Certificates . At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 9.1(a) and (b), a compliance certificate of the senior financial officer or other Authorized Officer of the General Partner, in the form set forth as Exhibit F hereto, to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall, if delivered in connection with the financial statements in respect of a period ending on the last day of a fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Partnership, set forth the calculations required to establish whether the Partnership and its Subsidiaries were in compliance with the provisions of Sections 10.8 through and including 10.10, inclusive, as at the end of such fiscal quarter or year, as the case may be.

 

(f) Notice of Default or Litigation . Promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after an officer of any Credit Party obtains actual knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, which notice shall specify the nature and period of existence thereof and what action such Credit Party proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) any litigation or proceeding pending or threatened (x) against any Credit Party which (I) has had or (II) could reasonably be expected, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (y) with respect to any material Indebtedness of any Credit Party or (z) with respect to any Document, (iii) any material governmental investigation pending or threatened against any Credit Party and (iv) any other event which (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g) Management Letters . Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any “management letter” submitted to any Credit Party by its independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of such Credit Party and management’s responses thereto.

 

(h) Environmental Matters . Promptly after any officer of any Credit Party obtains actual knowledge of any of the following (but only to the extent that any of the following, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, (a) a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a cost to such Credit Party in excess of $100,000), written notice of:

 

(i) any pending or threatened Environmental Claim against any Credit Party or any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party;

 

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(ii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party that (x) results in noncompliance by any Credit Party with any applicable Environmental Law or (y) could reasonably be anticipated to form the basis of an Environmental Claim any Credit Party or any such Real Property;

 

(iii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party that could reasonably be anticipated to cause such Real Property to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability by such Credit Party of its interest in such Real Property under any Environmental Law; and

 

(iv) the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Real Property now, formerly, or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party.

 

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and the Credit Party’s response or proposed response thereto. In addition, the Credit Parties agree to provide the Lenders with copies of such detailed reports relating to any of the matters set forth in clauses (i)-(iv) above as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders.

 

(i) Reports . Promptly upon transmission thereof, (i) copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to, the SEC by any Credit Party, (ii) copies of all financial information, notices and reports as the Credit Parties shall send to the Purchasers, (iii) following any public issuance of debt or equity securities of any Credit Party, copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports as such Credit Party shall send generally to analysts and the holders of any class of Equity Interests or Indebtedness in their capacity as such holders (to the extent not theretofore delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement) and (iv) with reasonable promptness, such other information or documents (financial or otherwise) as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of the Required Lenders may reasonably request from time to time.

 

(j) Change in Senior Management . Promptly upon knowledge by any Credit Party of any change or intended change in the person holding any Senior Manager position.

 

(k) Investments . Monthly summaries, prepared by the Partnership’s investment advisors, describing all investments of Trust Funds.

 

(l) Material Adverse Effect . Without duplication of any other provision of this Section 9.1, notice of any event which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(m) Accounting Terms . If at the time of delivery of any annual or quarterly financial statement under Section 9.1 there is a material variation between the application of accounting principles employed in the preparation of such statement and the application of accounting principles employed in the preparation of the December 31, 2003 financial statements referred to above (“Frozen GAAP”) and such variation effects the computations used in determining compliance with Sections 9.14 and 10, including in each case definitions used therein, then an Authorized Officer of the General Partner shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders at the same time as the delivery of such annual or quarterly financial statements (i) a description in reasonable detail of such variation and (ii) management prepared annual or quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with Frozen GAAP. In addition, the General Partner shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders such other reconciliation documentation as the Required Lenders may reasonably request.

 

(n) Phase II Reports . Within 60 days after the Closing Date, the Parent shall deliver to each holder of Notes satisfactory copies of “Phase II” environmental reports prepared for any of the ten properties listed on Schedule XII for which any Phase I environmental for such property delivered pursuant to Section 6.11(c)(iii) recommends the undertaking of a “Phase II” report.

 

(o) Bring Down Opinion . Within 30 days of the anniversary of the Closing Date falling in 2007, the Credit Parties will cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent a “bring down” perfection opinion of Blank Rome LLP (or such other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders and their counsel.

 

(p) Other Information . From time to time, such other information or documents (financial or otherwise) with respect to any Credit Party as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request.

 

9.2. Books, Records and Inspections . Each Credit Party keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all material requirements of law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Without limiting any additional similar requirements set forth in any Security Document, each Credit Party will permit, upon reasonable prior notice to the senior financial officer or other Authorized Officer of the General Partner or the Operating Company, officers and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, up to twice in any calendar year at the expense of the Borrowers, and at any time after an Event of Default has occurred, at the expense of the Borrowers, to visit and inspect any of the properties or assets of the Credit Parties in whomsoever’s possession, and to examine the books of account of the Credit Parties and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Credit Parties with, and be advised as to the same by, their officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may desire.

 

9.3. Insurance . (a) Each Credit Party (i) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as is consistent and in accordance with industry practice and (ii) furnish to the

 

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Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, upon request, full information as to the insurance carried. In addition to the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership will at all times cause insurance of the types described in Schedule VIII to be maintained (with the same scope of coverage as that described in Schedule VIII) at levels which are consistent with its practices immediately before the Effective Date, or otherwise in form, scope and amount reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Such insurance shall include physical damage insurance on all real and personal property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) on an all risk basis and business interruption insurance. The provisions of this Section 9.3 shall be deemed supplemental to, but not duplicative of, the provisions of any Security Documents that require the maintenance of insurance.

 

(b) Each Credit Party, at all times keep all of its property (except real or personal property leased or financed through third parties in accordance with this Agreement) insured in favor of the Collateral Agent, and all policies or certificates with respect to such insurance (and any other insurance maintained by, or on behalf of, any Credit Party) (i) shall be endorsed to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction for the benefit of the Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, by naming the Collateral Agent as certificate holder, mortgagee and loss payee with respect to real property, certificate holder and loss payee with respect to personal property, additional insured with respect to general liability and umbrella liability coverage and certificate holder with respect to workers’ compensation insurance), (ii) shall state that such insurance policies shall not be canceled or materially changed without at least 30 days prior written notice thereof by the respective insurer to the Collateral Agent and (iii) shall be delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

(c) If any Credit Party shall fail to maintain all insurance in accordance with this Section 9.3, or if any Credit Party shall fail to so name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, mortgagee or loss payee, as the case may be, or so deliver all certificates with respect thereto, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but shall be under no obligation), upon 5 Business Days prior written notice to the Partnership, to procure such insurance, and the Credit Parties agree jointly and severally to reimburse the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, for all costs and expenses of procuring such insurance.

 

9.4. Payment of Taxes . Each Credit Party will pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any properties belonging to it, in each case on a timely basis, and all lawful claims for material sums that have become due and payable which, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to become a Lien not otherwise permitted under Section 10.3(i); provided that no Credit Party shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained and continues to maintain adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

 

9.5. Corporate Franchises . Each Credit Party will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and its material rights, franchises, authority to do business, licenses, certifications, accreditations and patents, except for rights, franchises, authority to do business, licenses, certifications, accreditations and patents the loss of which (individually and in the aggregate) (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be

 

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expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that any transaction permitted by Section 10.2 (including, without limitation, the dissolution of any Subsidiary of the Partnership permitted pursuant to said Section) will not constitute a breach of this Section 9.5.

 

9.6. Compliance with Statutes; etc. Each Credit Party will comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property (including, without limitation, regulations, administrative orders and other orders referred to in Section 8.26), except for such noncompliance as (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.7. Compliance with Environmental Laws . (a) (i) The Partnership will comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to the ownership or use of its Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by the Credit Parties, and will promptly pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such compliance, and will keep or cause to be kept all such Real Property free and clear of any Liens imposed pursuant to such Environmental Laws and (ii) no Credit Party will generate, use, treat, store, Release, dispose of, threaten to Release, or permit the generation, use, treatment, storage, release or disposal of, Hazardous Materials on any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party, or transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous Materials to or from any such Real Property, except in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and as may be reasonably required in connection with the operation, use and maintenance of such Real Property by any Credit Party’s business, unless any failures to comply with the requirements specified in clause (i) or (ii) above, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) have not had and (y) could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. If any Credit Party or any tenant or occupant of any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by such Credit Party, causes or permits any intentional or unintentional act or omission resulting in the presence or Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Material (except in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws) at or from any Real Property, the Credit Party agrees, if required to do so under any final applicable directive or order of any governmental agency, to undertake, and/or to cause any of its Subsidiaries, tenants or occupants to undertake, at their sole expense, any clean up, removal, remedial or other action required pursuant to Environmental Laws to remove and clean up any Hazardous Materials from any Real Property, and, if required by any governmental agency under applicable law to restore any natural resources, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) At the written request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, which request shall specify in reasonable detail the basis therefor, at any time and from time to time, the Partnership and the Operating Company will provide, at their sole cost and expense, a Phase I environmental site assessment report (and any additional reports required thereby) which has been prepared, in accordance with the applicable ASTM standard, by an environmental consulting firm approved by the Administrative Agent, and such approval will not be unreasonably withheld, and which concerns any Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by any Credit Party, and addresses the matters in clause (i) or (ii) below which give rise to such request (or, in the case of a request pursuant to following clause (i), addresses such matter as may be requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders) and estimates the range of the potential costs of any removal, remedial or other corrective or restorative action

 

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in connection with any such matter; provided that in no event shall such request be made unless (i) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) the Lenders receive notice under Section 9.1(h) for any event referred to in said Section which, either individually or in the aggregate, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, (a) a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a remedial cost to the Credit Parties in excess of $100,000. If any Credit Party fail to provide the same within 60 days after such request was made, the Administrative Agent may order the same, and the Credit Parties shall grant and hereby do grant, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their agents reasonable access to such Real Property and specifically grant the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their agents an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the right of tenants, to undertake such an assessment, all at the expense of the Credit Parties. In such an event, the Credit Parties shall and hereby do release the Lenders and their agents from any and all Environmental Claims concerning any investigation into or assessment of the Real Property which Lenders may cause to be made.

 

9.8. ERISA . As soon as possible and, in any event, within ten (10) Business Days after any Plan, Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following, the Partnership will deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the chief financial officer or other Authorized Officer of the General Partner setting forth in reasonable detail information as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Plan, such Credit Party or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices required or proposed to be given to or filed by the Plan, the Credit Party, the Plan administrator or such ERISA Affiliate to or with, the PBGC or any other governmental agency, or a Plan or Multiemployer Plan participant, and any notices received by the Partnership, such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or other governmental agency or a Plan or Multiemployer Plan participant or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a Reportable Event has occurred (except to the extent that the Partnership has previously delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate and notices (if any) concerning such event pursuant to the next clause hereof); that a contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA is subject to the advance reporting requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof), and an event described in subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days; that an accumulated funding deficiency, within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, has been incurred or an application may be or has been made for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA with respect to a Plan; that any contribution required to be made with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has not been timely made, except to the extent that any failure to make such contribution would not result in a Material liability; that a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has been or may be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA; that a Plan has a Material Unfunded Current Liability and, to the knowledge of the Partnership or the Borrowers, that a Multiemployer Plan has a Material Unfunded Current Liability (assuming, solely for this purpose, that the term “Unfunded Current Liability” also applies to Multiemployer Plans) not previously disclosed to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date; that proceedings may be or have been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer a Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; that a proceeding has been instituted pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan; that any Credit Party or any

 

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ERISA Affiliate will or may incur any Material liability (including any indirect, contingent, or secondary liability) to or on account of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or Section 409 or 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA or with respect to a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code; or that any Credit Party may incur any Material liability pursuant to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any Plan. Each Credit Party will deliver to each of the Lenders copies of any records, documents or other information that must be furnished to the PBGC with respect to any Plan pursuant to Section 4010 of ERISA. Each Credit Party will also deliver to each of the Lenders upon request a complete copy of the annual report (on Internal Revenue Service Form 5500-series) of each Plan (including, to the extent required, the related financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements, certifications, schedules and information) required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to any certificates or notices delivered to the Lenders pursuant to the first sentence hereof, copies of annual reports and any records, documents or other information required to be furnished to the PBGC or any other government agency, and any material notices received by the Partnership, any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan or received from any government agency or plan administrator or sponsor or trustee with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, shall be delivered to the Lenders no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date such annual report has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service or such records, documents and/or information has been furnished to the PBGC or any other government agency or such notice has been received by the Partnership, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as applicable. If, at any time after the Effective Date, any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate maintains, or contributes to (or incurs an obligation to contribute to), a pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA which is not set forth in Schedule V, as may be updated from time to time, then the Partnership shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule V as soon as possible and, in any event, within thirty (30) days after such Credit Party or such ERISA Affiliate maintains, or contributes to (or incurs an obligation to contribute to), such pension plan. Such updated Schedule V shall supersede and replace the existing Schedule V.

 

9.9. Good Repair . The Partnership will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, ensure that its material properties and equipment used in its business are kept in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and that from time to time there are made in such properties and equipment all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto, to the extent and in the manner consistent with past practices.

 

9.10. End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters . The General Partner will, for financial reporting purposes, cause (i) each Credit Party’s fiscal year to end on December 31 of each year and (ii) itself, and cause each Credit Party to maintain fiscal quarters consistent therewith and with the past practices of the any Credit Parties as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

9.11. Additional Security; Further Assurances . (a) Each Credit Party will grant to the Collateral Agent security interests and mortgages in such assets and real property of the

 

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Partnership and such Subsidiaries as are not covered by the original Security Documents (subject to the applicable exceptions contained therein), and as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (collectively, the “ Additional Security Documents ”). The Additional Security Documents or instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Additional Security Documents and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith shall be paid in full.

 

(b) Each Credit Party will, at the expense of the Credit Parties, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time such schedules, confirmatory assignments, conveyances, financing statements, transfer endorsements, limited powers of attorney, certificates, real property surveys (it being understood that the Borrowers shall be under no obligation to obtain any such survey), reports and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps relating to the Collateral covered by any of the Security Documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require in order for the Collateral Agent to fully enforce its rights under the Security Documents. Furthermore, the Partnership shall cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent such opinions of counsel, title insurance and other related documents as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to assure itself that this Section 9.11 has been complied with.

 

(c) The Partnership agrees to cause each Subsidiary of the Partnership established or created in accordance with Section 10.15 to execute and deliver a counterpart hereto (and/or an assumption agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) whereby such Subsidiary shall become a party hereto as a Borrower hereunder.

 

(d) The Partnership will cause each Subsidiary of the Partnership established or created in accordance with Section 10.15 to grant to the Collateral Agent a Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) on property (tangible and intangible) of such Subsidiary upon terms and with exceptions similar to those set forth in the Security Documents, as appropriate, and reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and Required Lenders. In connection with the actions required to be taken pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the respective Subsidiary shall become a party to the various existing Security Documents by executing counterparts thereof and/or assumption agreements relating thereto (together with the delivery of updated schedules) in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or shall enter into and deliver such new Security Documents as may be requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders. The Borrowers shall cause each such Subsidiary of the Borrowers, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record in any appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable for the creation and perfection of the foregoing Liens. The Borrowers will cause each of such Subsidiaries to take all actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, the filing of UCC-1’s) in connection with the granting of such security interests.

 

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(e) At any time after the Effective Date at which any Borrower receives or has performed on its behalf any survey of any Mortgaged Property (it being understood that the Borrowers shall be under no obligation to obtain any such survey), the Borrowers shall promptly thereafter deliver a copy of such survey to the Administrative Agent.

 

(f) Each of the Credit Parties agrees that each action required above by this Section 9.11 shall be completed as soon as possible, but in no event later than 60 days after such action is either requested to be taken by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or required to be taken by the Partnership and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Section 9.11; provided that (i) each newly acquired or created Subsidiary of the Partnership shall be required to take the actions specified above concurrently (or promptly thereafter) with the creation or acquisition thereof (directly or indirectly) by a Credit Party, and (ii) in no event will any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries be required to take any action, other than using its commercially reasonable efforts, to obtain consents from third parties with respect to its compliance with this Section 9.11.

 

9.12. Use of Proceeds . All proceeds of the Loans shall be used as provided in Section 8.5.

 

9.13. Ownership of Subsidiaries . Except as reflected on Schedule VII, the Borrowers will directly or indirectly own 100% of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of the Borrowers.

 

9.14. Permitted Acquisitions . (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.14 and the requirements contained in the definition of Permitted Acquisition, the Operating Company and any of its Subsidiaries may from time to time effect Permitted Acquisitions, so long as (in each case except to the extent the Required Lenders otherwise specifically agree in writing in the case of a specific Permitted Acquisition): (i) no Default or Event of Default shall be in existence at the time of the consummation of the proposed Permitted Acquisition or immediately after giving effect thereto; (ii) the Operating Company shall have given the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior written notice of the proposed Permitted Acquisition in accordance with the definition thereof; (iii) calculations are made by the Operating Company of (x) compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (taken as one accounting period) most recently ended prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition (each, a “ Calculation Period ”), on a Pro Forma Basis as if the respective Permitted Acquisition (as well as all other Permitted Acquisitions theretofore consummated after the first day of such Calculation Period) had occurred on the first day of such Calculation Period, and such recalculations shall show that such financial covenants would have been complied with if the Permitted Acquisition had occurred on the first day of such Calculation Period (for this purpose, if the first day of the respective Calculation Period occurs prior to the Effective Date, calculated as if the covenants contained in said Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 had been applicable from the first day of the Calculation Period) and (y) compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with Sections 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10 immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the respective Permitted Acquisition (for this purpose, using the same ratio which will be required to be met on the last day of the first fiscal quarter ended on or after the date upon which the respective Permitted Acquisition is consummated), and the Partnership shall be in compliance therewith; (iv) after giving effect to the updating of schedules to reflect

 

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transactions related to Permitted Acquisitions, all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Permitted Acquisition (both before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and (v) the Partnership shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent on the earlier of (x) the delivery of the Notice of Borrowing of an Acquisition Loan, or (y) the date of the consummation of such proposed Permitted Acquisition, an officer’s certificate executed by an Authorized Officer of the General Partner, certifying to the best of such officer’s knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, and containing the calculations required by the preceding clause (iii).

 

(b) At the time of each Permitted Acquisition involving the creation or acquisition of a Subsidiary, or the acquisition of capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person, all capital stock or other Equity Interests thereof created or acquired in connection with such Permitted Acquisition shall be pledged for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to, and to the extent required by, the Pledge Agreement in accordance with the requirements of Section 10.15.

 

(c) The Borrowers shall cause each Subsidiary which is formed to effect, or is acquired pursuant to, a Permitted Acquisition to comply with, and to execute and deliver, all of the documentation required by, Sections 9.11 and 10.15, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

 

(d) The consummation of each Permitted Acquisition shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by each Credit Party that the certifications by a Credit Party (or by one or more of its respective Authorized Officers on its behalf) pursuant to Section 9.14(a), are true and correct and that all conditions thereto have been satisfied and that same is permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which representation and warranty shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty for all purposes hereunder, including, without limitation, Sections 7 and 11.

 

9.15. Maintenance of Company Separateness . The Partnership will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, satisfy customary Company formalities, including, as applicable, the holding of regular board of directors’ and shareholders’ meetings or action by directors or shareholders without a meeting and the maintenance of Company offices and records. Neither the Partnership nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which could reasonably be expected to result in the Company existence of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries being ignored, or in the assets and liabilities of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries being substantively consolidated with those of any other such Person in a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding (it being understood and agreed that the entering into of the Credit Documents and the Note Purchase Documents by the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, and the performance of their respective obligations thereunder, shall not in and of itself be taken into account for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing covenant).

 

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9.16. Clean Down . The Borrowers will repay all Interim Borrowings so that, for a period of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days during each twelve (12) month period prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Interim Borrowings will be equal to or less than $5,000,000.

 

9.17. Performance of Obligations . the Partnership will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform all of its obligations under the terms of each mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, loan agreement or credit agreement and each other material agreement, contract or instrument by which it is bound, except such non-performances as (x) have not caused and (y) could not reasonably be expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Default or Event of Default hereunder or a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.18. Margin Regulations . No Credit Party will hold any Margin Stock. Each Credit Party will comply with all of the requirements of Regulations T, U and X.

 

9.19. Maintenance of Trust Funds and Trust Accounts . Each Borrower shall set aside in the appropriate Trust Account, all applicable Trust Funds at the time such funds are received by such Borrower, and the Borrower shall establish and maintain all of the funding obligations of each of the Trust Accounts in accordance with applicable law.

 

9.20. Amendment to Note Purchase Document Covenants . If the Credit Parties shall at any time after the Effective Date amend or modify any Note Purchase Document in a manner that requires any Credit Party to make a mandatory prepayment, comply with a covenant or add an event of default that either is not at such time included in this Agreement or, if such mandatory prepayment, covenant or event of default shall already be included in this Agreement, is more restrictive upon any Credit Party than such existing mandatory prepayment, covenant or event of default, each such mandatory prepayment, covenant and each event of default, definition and other provision relating to such mandatory prepayment, covenant or event of default in such Note Purchase Document (as amended or modified from time to time thereafter) shall be automatically deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Agreement, mutatis mutandis, as if then set forth herein in full. Promptly after any such amendment or modification, the Credit Parties will (i) furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a copy of each such mandatory prepayment, covenant and each event of default, definition and other provisions related thereto and (ii) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender an instrument, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, modifying this Agreement by adding or modifying, as the case may be, the full text of such mandatory prepayment, covenant and the events of default, definitions and other related provisions.

 

SECTION 10. Negative Covenants . Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that as of the Effective Date and thereafter for so long as this Agreement is in effect and until the Total Commitment has terminated, no Letters of Credit or Notes are outstanding and the Loans, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations (other than any indemnities described in Section 13.13(b) which are not then due and payable) incurred hereunder, are paid in full:

 

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10.1. Changes in Business; etc . No Credit Party will engage in any business other than the Permitted Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(i) the General Partner will not itself: (A) engage in a Permitted Business; (B) own any significant assets (other than (I) its general partnership Equity Interest in the Partnership, (II) cash to be loaned, dividended, contributed and/or otherwise promptly applied for purposes not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement and (III) other assets used or held in connection with the performance of activities permitted to be conducted by the General Partner); or (C) have any liabilities (other than those liabilities for which it is responsible under this Agreement, the Documents to which it is a party, the GP Agreement, and any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the General Partner pursuant to Section 10.4); provided however , the conduct of business restriction above shall not prohibit (or be construed to prohibit), the General Partner or its employees from conducting the activities contemplated to be conducted by the General Partner under the GP Agreement and the Partnership Agreement, and other administrative, management or ordinary course “holding company” activities necessary or desirable in connection with the operation of the Permitted Business through the General Partner and the Borrowers (including, without limitation, intercompany management functions and the provision of umbrella policies); and

 

(ii) the Partnership will not itself: (A) engage in a Permitted Business; (B) own any significant assets (other than (I) the Equity Interests in the Operating Company, (II) any Intercompany Loan permitted to be made by it pursuant to Section 10.5(v), whether or not evidenced by an Intercompany Note, (III) cash to be loaned, dividended, contributed and/or otherwise promptly applied for purposes not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, and (IV) other assets used or held in connection with the performance of activities permitted to be conducted by the Partnership); or (C) have any liabilities (other than those liabilities for which it is responsible under this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Documents to which it is a party, any Intercompany Loan permitted to be incurred by it pursuant to Section 10.5(v) and any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.4); provided however , the conduct of business restriction contained in clause (A) above shall not prohibit (or be construed to prohibit) the Partnership from conducting administrative and other ordinary course “holding company” activities necessary or desirable in connection with the operation of the Permitted Business through the Borrowers.

 

10.2. Consolidation; Merger; Sale or Purchase of Assets; etc . Each Credit Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property or assets (other than Cemetery Property in the ordinary course of business), or enter into any partnerships, joint ventures or sale-leaseback transactions, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) any part of the property or assets (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment in the ordinary course of business) of any Person or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time, except that the following shall be permitted:

 

(i) the Credit Parties may, as lessee or licensee, enter into operating leases and licenses, in the ordinary course of business with respect to real or personal property;

 

(ii) Capital Expenditures to the extent not in violation of this Agreement;

 

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(iii) Investments permitted pursuant to Section 10.5;

 

(iv) the Credit Parties may, in the ordinary course of business, sell or otherwise dispose of tangible assets which, in the reasonable opinion of such Person, are obsolete, uneconomic or worn-out;

 

(v) any Credit Party may sell tangible assets, so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (B) each such sale is in an arm’s-length transaction and such Credit Party receives at least fair market value (as determined in good faith by such Credit Party), (C) the total consideration received by such Credit Party is paid at the time of the closing of such sale in cash, and (D) the Net Sale Proceeds therefrom are applied and/or reinvested as (and to the extent) required by Section 5.2(c);

 

(vi) any Credit Party may sell or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not as part of any financing transaction;

 

(vii) any Credit Party may grant licenses, leases or subleases to third Persons in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of any Credit Party;

 

(viii) any Borrower may transfer assets to any other Borrower, so long as the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security Documents in the assets so transferred shall remain in full force and effect and perfected (to at least the same extent as in effect immediately prior to such transfer);

 

(ix) any Borrower may merge with and into, may convert into or be dissolved or liquidated into any other Borrower, so long as (A) the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security Documents in the assets of such Borrower shall remain in full force and effect and perfected (to at least the same extent as in effect immediately prior to such merger, conversion, dissolution or liquidation) and (B) such merger, conversion, dissolution or liquidation does not violate the terms of the Partnership Agreement or otherwise result in negative tax consequences for the Partnership;

 

(x) any Credit Party may sell or exchange specific items of equipment, so long as the purpose of each such sale or exchange is to acquire (and results within 90 days of such sale or exchange in the acquisition of) replacement items of equipment which are the functional equivalent of the item of equipment so sold or exchanged;

 

(xi) any Borrower shall be permitted to make Permitted Acquisitions, so long as such Permitted Acquisitions are effected in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.14; and

 

(xii) any Borrower shall be permitted to make sales, transfers or other dispositions of real property made in the ordinary course of business, while no Default or

 

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Event of Default exists, to the extent the aggregate value of such real property disposed of in any fiscal year by all Borrowers is not in excess of $3,000,000;

 

(xiii) the General Partner may sell, transfer or dispose of Equity Interests in the Partnership as required by the terms of the Partnership Agreement or any employee benefit plan of a Credit Party; and

 

(xii) the Transaction shall be permitted.

 

To the extent the Required Lenders waive the provisions of this Section 10.2 with respect to the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold or otherwise disposed of as permitted by this Section 10.2, such Collateral (unless transferred to a Credit Party) shall be sold or otherwise disposed of free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents and the Administrative Agent shall take such actions (including, without limitation, directing the Collateral Agent to take such actions) as are appropriate in connection therewith.

 

10.3. Liens . Each Credit Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets of any kind (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of such Credit Party, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or sell any such property or assets subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property or assets (including any sales of accounts receivable or notes with or without recourse to any Credit Party) or assign any right to receive income, except for the following (collectively, the “ Permitted Liens ”):

 

(i) inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

 

(ii) Liens in respect of property or assets of a Credit Party imposed by law which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and which have not arisen to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, statutory landlord’s Liens, and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, and which either (x) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of such Credit Party or (y) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or asset subject to such Lien;

 

(iii) Liens created by or pursuant to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(iv) Liens in existence on the Effective Date which are listed, and the property subject thereto described, in Schedule IX, plus any extensions or renewals of such Liens, provided that (x) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness, if any, secured by such Liens does not increase from that amount outstanding at the time of any such renewal, replacement or extension and (y) any such renewal, replacement or extension

 

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does not encumber any additional assets or properties of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(v) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11.9, provided that no cash or other property shall be pledged by any Credit Party as security therefor;

 

(vi) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (x) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business of any Credit Party in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, (y) to secure the performance by any Credit Party of tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay and customs bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or (z) to secure the performance by any Credit Party of leases of Real Property, to the extent incurred or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

 

(vii) licenses, leases or subleases granted to third Persons in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of any Credit Party;

 

(viii) Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(ix) Liens arising from or related to precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases entered into by any Credit Party;

 

(x) Liens created pursuant to Capital Leases permitted pursuant to Section 10.4(iv), provided that (x) such Liens only serve to secure the payment of Indebtedness arising under such Capitalized Lease Obligation and (y) the Lien encumbering the asset giving rise to the Capitalized Lease Obligation does not encumber any other asset of any Credit Party;

 

(xi) Liens arising pursuant to purchase money mortgages or security interests securing Indebtedness representing the purchase price (or financing of the purchase price within 30 days after the respective purchase) of assets acquired after the Effective Date by any Credit Party, provided that (i) any such Liens attach only to the assets so purchased, (ii) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien does not exceed the lesser of the fair market value or the purchase price of the property being purchased at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.4(iv);

 

(xii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

(xiii) bankers liens and rights of setoff with respect to customary depository arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

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(xiv) any Lien or other restriction on the use of property (including cash) deposited in any Trust Fund, to the extent imposed by law or by the terms of the agreement governing such Trust Fund.

 

10.4. Indebtedness . No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(i) (x) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and (y) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties incurred pursuant to the Note Purchase Documents in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $80,000,000 at any time (as from time to time reduced by principal repayments thereof);

 

(ii) Existing Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule IV, without giving effect to any subsequent extension, renewal or refinancing thereof except to the extent expressly permitted by Schedule IV;

 

(iii) Indebtedness under Swap Contracts entered into to protect the Borrowers against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

 

(iv) Capitalized Lease Obligations and Indebtedness of any Credit Party representing purchase money Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(x) or 10.3(xi), provided that (i) all such Capitalized Lease Obligations are permitted under this Agreement and (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate of such Capitalized Lease Obligations outstanding at any time plus (y) the aggregate principal amount of such purchase money Indebtedness outstanding at such time shall not exceed $5,000,000;

 

(v) Indebtedness of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries constituting Intercompany Loans permitted by Section 10.5(v);

 

(vi) Indebtedness to a seller of a Borrower or assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (or Indebtedness assumed at the time of a Permitted Acquisition of an asset securing such Indebtedness), provided that (i) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit L hereto, and (ii) at the time of such Permitted Acquisition, such Indebtedness does not exceed 25% of the total value of the assets of the Subsidiary so acquired, or of the assets so acquired, as the case may be (such Indebtedness described above in this Section 10.4(vi) being “ Seller Subordinated Debt ”);

 

(vii) Contingent Obligations of the Credit Parties related to each other’s Indebtedness to the extent that such Indebtedness is otherwise permitted under this Section 10.4;

 

(viii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business so

 

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long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within three Business Days of the incurrence thereof;

 

(ix) Indebtedness of the Borrowers evidenced by completion guarantees, performance bonds and surety bonds incurred in the ordinary course of business for purposes of insuring the performance of the Borrowers; and

 

(x) Indebtedness of the Borrowers arising from agreements of the Borrowers providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn out or other similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of any Borrower permitted under this Agreement, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition, provided that the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness (other than indemnification provisions) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by such Borrower in connection with such disposition.

 

10.5. Advances; Investments; Loans . No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, lend money or extend credit or make advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any Person, or purchase or own a futures contract or otherwise become liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract (each of the foregoing an “ Investment ” and, collectively, “ Investments ”), except:

 

(i) any Borrower may acquire and hold receivables owing to it, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms of such Borrower;

 

(ii) the Borrowers may acquire and own investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii) the Borrowers may enter into Swap Contracts in compliance with Section 10.4(iii);

 

(iv) Investments in existence on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule VI shall be permitted, without giving effect to any additions thereto or replacements thereof;

 

(v) (x) the Partnership may make intercompany loans and advances to the Borrowers, (y) the Borrowers may make intercompany loans and advances to any other Borrower and (z) the Borrowers may make intercompany loans and advances to the Partnership for the purpose of making payments permitted pursuant to Section 10.6 and to the Partnership or the General Partner for the purpose of paying ordinary business expenses;

 

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(vi) loans and advances by any Credit Party to officers and employees of such Credit Party, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount for all Credit Parties not to exceed $500,000 at any time (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall be permitted;

 

(vii) any Credit Party may make cash equity contributions to its Subsidiaries;

 

(viii) the Borrowers may make Permitted Acquisitions in accordance with the relevant requirements of Section 9.14 and the component definitions therein;

 

(ix) the Credit Parties may own the Equity Interests of their respective Subsidiaries in existence on the Effective Date or thereafter created or acquired in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(x) the Borrowers may acquire and hold non-cash consideration issued by the purchaser of assets in connection with a sale of such assets to the extent permitted by Section 10.2(iv);

 

(xi) the Borrowers may invest Trust Funds in accordance with reasonable business practices and applicable law;

 

(xii) the Borrowers may make advances to suppliers in the ordinary course for the purpose of prepaying purchases of inventory; and

 

(xiii) the Credit Parties may maintain bank accounts and Cash Equivalents in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement and other Secured Debt Agreements.

 

10.6. Limitation on Dividends and Redemptions . No Credit Party will declare or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any class of Equity Interests, nor will any Credit Party directly or indirectly make any capital contribution of any nature to or purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Equity Interests in any Credit Party (whether such interests are now or hereafter issued, outstanding or created), or cause or permit any reduction or retirement of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party, while any Loan or Commitment hereunder is outstanding, provided that:

 

(a) the Partnership and the General Partner shall be permitted to make regularly scheduled quarterly distributions to its general and limited partners or members to the extent set forth in the Partnership Agreement and the GP Agreement, respectively, each as in effect as of the Effective Date if, (i) at the time such distribution is made no Default or Event of Default exists, or would exist after giving effect to such distribution, and (ii) for the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to the date of such distribution and the chief financial officer of the Partnership or General Partner, as applicable, delivers to the Administrative Agent a certificate that the above conditions have been satisfied; and

 

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(b) any Borrower may pay to any other Borrower or the Partnership any dividends on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any class of its capital stock or any partnership, limited liability company or other interest in it.

 

10.7. Transactions with Affiliates . No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series of transactions with any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party other than on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to the Partnership or such Subsidiary as would be reasonably expected to be obtainable by the Partnership or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that the following shall in any event be permitted: (i) the Transaction; (ii) intercompany transactions among Credit Parties to the extent expressly permitted by Sections 10.2, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.13 and 10.15 shall be permitted (including the payment of interest and principal on intercompany Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.4); (iii) the payment of consulting or other fees to any Credit Party in the ordinary course of business; (iv) customary fees to non-officer directors (or equivalents) of the General Partner; (v) the Credit Parties may perform their respective obligations under the Employment Agreements in effect on the Effective Date, under employee benefit plans of any Credit Party and under any other employment arrangements with respect to the procurement of services with their respective officers and employees, and enter into and perform their respective obligations under renewals or replacements of such arrangements, in each case so long as such employment arrangements or renewals and replacements thereof are entered into in the ordinary course of business; (vi) Distributions may be paid by Credit Parties to the extent permitted by Section 10.6; (vii) payments may be made pursuant to any Tax Allocation Agreement; (viii) Credit Parties may enter into transactions with employees and/or officers of the Credit Parties in the ordinary course of business so long as any such material transaction has been approved by the governing bodies of such Credit Parties; and (ix) the Credit Parties may perform their respective obligations under (A) the Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among certain Credit Parties and certain of their Affiliates, and (B) the Assignment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P. and the Partnership. In no event shall any management, consulting or similar fee be paid or payable by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries to any Affiliate, except as specifically provided in this Section 10.7.

 

10.8. Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio . The Partnership will not permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any Test Period to be less than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, for all determinations of the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio made for any Test Period ended prior to (but not after) the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Consolidated Net Interest Expense used in the calculation of such ratio shall be (a) calculated for the period from the Effective Date through the last date of the applicable Test Period and (b) then multiplied by a fraction with (i) a numerator of 360 and (ii) a denominator equal to the number of days in such period. In addition, for purposes of making determinations pursuant to Section 9.14, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (it being understood that this sentence shall not affect any adjustments required pursuant to the definitions of Consolidated Net Interest Expense or Consolidated EBITDA).

 

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10.9. Leverage Ratio . The Partnership will not permit the Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, all determinations of the Leverage Ratio for purposes of this Section 10.9 shall include Consolidated EBITDA as calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions, if any, effected during the respective Test Period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined.

 

10.10. Minimum EBITDA . The Partnership will not permit Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period to be less than $21,000,000 plus 80% of aggregate of all Consolidated EBITDA for each Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, as determined for such Person as of the date of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

10.11. Trust Funds . Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party will withdraw or otherwise remove any monies or other assets (whether principal, interest or other earnings) from any Trust Account except for the purpose of providing the merchandise or services which are intended to be provided out of such Trust Account.

 

10.12. Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Organization Documents . No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(i) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Partnership Common Unit or Partnership Subordinated Unit or of any agreement (including, without limitation, certificate of designation) relating thereto in a manner that is inconsistent with the Partnership Agreement or that could reasonably be expected to be adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders;

 

(ii) make (or give any notice in respect of) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption, repurchase or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with the trustee with respect thereto or any other Person, money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due), or any prepayment or redemption (except as expressly required under the terms of the relevant agreement) as a result of any asset sale, change of control or similar event of any Indebtedness pursuant to the Note Purchase Documents or any Existing Indebtedness, or, after the incurrence or issuance thereof, any Seller Subordinated Debt;

 

(iii) amend, modify or change, in any way adverse to the interests of the Lenders, any Note Purchase Document; or

 

(iv) amend, modify or change in any way adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect any Existing Indebtedness, any Seller Subordinated Debt, any Tax Allocation Agreement, any Management Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of limited liability company, limited liability company agreement or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its capital stock or other Equity Interests (including any Shareholders’ Agreement), or enter into any new Tax Allocation Agreement, Management Agreement or agreement with respect to its capital stock or

 

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other Equity Interests which could reasonably be expected to be adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders or, in the case of any Management Agreement, which involves the payment by any Credit Party of any amount which could give rise to a violation of this Agreement; provided that, the foregoing clause shall not restrict (x) the ability of Partnership or the General Partner to amend the Partnership Agreement or the GP Agreement, respectively, to authorize the issuance of Equity Interests otherwise permitted to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (y) the ability of the Partnership to amend its organizational documents to adopt customary takeover defenses for a public company, such as classification of its board of directors, requirements for notice of acquisition of shares and other similar measures.

 

10.13. Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests . (a) No Credit Party will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue (i) any Preferred Equity (or any options, warrants or rights to purchase Preferred Equity), other than issuances by the Partnership of Partnership Common Units and Partnership Subordinated Units or (ii) any mandatorily redeemable common Equity Interests.

 

(b) The Borrowers shall not issue any Equity Interests (including by way of sales of treasury stock), except (i) for transfers and replacements of then outstanding shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests, (ii) for stock splits, stock dividends and additional issuances which do not decrease the percentage ownership of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in any class of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiaries, (iii) to qualify directors to the extent required by applicable law and (iv) Subsidiaries formed after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 10.15 may issue Equity Interests in accordance with the requirements of Section 10.15. All Equity Interests issued in accordance with this Section 10.13(b) shall, to the extent required by the Pledge Agreement, be delivered to the Collateral Agent for pledge pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

 

10.14. Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries . The Partnership will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (x) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other Equity Interest or participation in its profits owned by any Borrower, or pay any Indebtedness owed to any Borrower, (y) make loans or advances to any Borrower or (z) transfer any of its properties or assets to any Borrower, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law, (ii) this Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and the Note Purchase Documents, (iii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Borrower, (iv) customary provisions restricting assignment of any contract entered into by any Borrower in the ordinary course of business, and (vi) the Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

10.15. Limitation on the Creation of Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Partnership will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, establish, create or acquire after the Effective Date any Subsidiary; provided that the Borrowers shall be permitted to establish, create and, to the extent permitted by Section 9.14, acquire wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as, in each case, (i) at least 30 days prior written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent (or such lesser

 

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prior written notice as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in any given case), (ii) the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary are promptly pledged pursuant to, and to the extent required by, this Agreement and the Pledge Agreement and the certificates, if any, representing such Equity Interests, together with appropriate transfer powers duly executed in blank, are delivered to the Collateral Agent, (iii) such new Subsidiary promptly executes a counterpart hereto and of the Pledge Agreement and the Security Agreement, and (iv) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, takes all actions required pursuant to Section 9.11. In addition, each new Subsidiary that is required to execute any Credit Document shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all other relevant documentation of the type described in Section 6 as such new Subsidiary would have had to deliver if such new Subsidiary were a Credit Party on the Effective Date.

 

(b) the Partnership will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any partnerships or joint ventures.

 

10.16. Limitation on Fees for Intellectual Property, etc . No Credit Party nor any Affiliate of any Credit Party will charge the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender a fee to use any patent, trademark, permit, service mark, trade name, technology copyright, license, franchise or formula, or other rights with respect to the foregoing, which any Credit Party or any Affiliate may own or have a right to use.

 

SECTION 11. Events of Default . Upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each, an “ Event of Default ”):

 

11.1. Payments . The Borrowers shall (i) default in the payment when due of any principal of the Loans (including, without limitation, any mandatory prepayment required pursuant to Section 5.2 and any payment of Revolving Loans necessary to comply with Section 9.16) or (ii) default, and such default shall continue for three or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any Unpaid Drawing, any interest on the Loans or any Fees or any other amounts owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document; or

 

11.2. Representations, etc . Any representation, warranty or statement made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit Document or in any statement or certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; or

 

11.3. Covenants . Any Credit Party shall (a) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 9.1, Sections 9.12 through 9.19 or Section 10, or (b) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in Section 11.1, 11.2 or clause (a) of this Section 11.3) contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after notice to the defaulting party by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

 

11.4. Default Under Other Agreements . (a) any Credit Party shall (i) default in any payment with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which Indebtedness was created or

 

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(ii) default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice is required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity (it being understood that a default or other event or condition described above in this clause (ii) shall cease to constitute an Event of Default if and when same has been cured or otherwise ceases to exist, in each case prior to the taking of any action by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders pursuant to the last paragraph of this Section 11); or (b) any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of any Credit Party shall be declared to be due and payable, or shall be required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as a mandatory prepayment (unless such required prepayment or mandatory prepayment results from a default thereunder or an event of the type that constitutes an Event of Default), prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided that it shall not constitute an Event of Default pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this Section 11.4 unless the principal amount of any one issue of such Indebtedness, or the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, exceeds $500,000 at any one time; or

 

11.5. Bankruptcy, etc . Any Credit Party shall commence a voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”); or an involuntary case is commenced against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries and the petition is not controverted within 20 days, or is not dismissed within 90 days, after commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries; or the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries; or there is commenced against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries any such proceeding which remains undismissed for a period of 90 days; or the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered; or the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days; or the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any corporate action is taken by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

 

11.6. ERISA . (a) Any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA or a waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA, a Reportable Event shall have occurred, a contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA shall be subject to the advance reporting requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof) and an event described in subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 shall be reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days, any Plan which is

 

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subject to Title IV of ERISA shall have had or could reasonably be expected to have a trustee appointed to administer such Plan, any Plan or, to the knowledge of the Partnership or the Borrowers, Multiemployer Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA is, shall have been or could reasonably be expected to be terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA, any Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution required to be made with respect to a Plan or Multiemployer Plan has not been timely made, the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any liability to or on account of a Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of the Code or on account of a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code and/or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, or the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur liabilities pursuant to one or more employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provide benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or Plans, a “default” within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA, shall occur with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, any applicable law, rule or regulation is adopted, changed or interpreted, or the interpretation or administration thereof is changed, in each case after the date hereof, by any governmental authority or agency or by any court (a “ Change in Law ”), or, as a result of a Change in Law, an event occurs following a Change in Law, with respect to or otherwise affecting any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (b) there shall result from any such event or events described above in this Section 11.6 the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability or a material risk of incurring a liability resulting from any event described in clause (a) above; and (c) such lien, security interest or liability, individually and/or in the aggregate, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, (x) has had or (y) could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

11.7. Security Documents . (a) Any Security Document shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby, in favor of the Collateral Agent, superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except as permitted by Section 10.3), and subject to no other Liens (except as permitted by Section 10.3), or (b) any Credit Party shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to any such Security Document and such default shall continue beyond any cure or grace period specifically applicable thereto pursuant to the terms of any such Security Document; or

 

11.8. Guaranty . The Credit Party Guaranty or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor’s obligations under the Credit Party Guaranty or any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to the Credit Party Guaranty; or

 

11.9. Judgments . One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Credit Party involving a liability (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance (with any portion of any judgment or decree not so covered to be included in any determination

 

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hereunder)) in excess of $500,000 for all such judgments and decrees and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

 

11.10. Ownership . There occurs any Change of Control; or

 

11.11. Intercreditor Agreement . The Intercreditor Agreement or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect;

 

then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrowers, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against any Credit Party, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement ( provided that if an Event of Default specified in Section 11.5 shall occur, the result which would occur upon the giving of written notice by the Administrative Agent as specified in clauses (i) and (ii) below shall occur automatically without the giving of any such notice): (i) declare the Total Commitment terminated, whereupon the Commitment of each Lender shall forthwith terminate immediately and any Unused Commitment Fees shall forthwith become due and payable without any other notice of any kind; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and all Obligations owing hereunder (including Unpaid Drawings) to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; (iii) enforce, as Collateral Agent (or direct the Collateral Agent to enforce), any or all of the Liens and security interests created pursuant to the Security Documents; (iv) terminate any Letter of Credit which may be terminated in accordance with its terms; (v) direct the Borrowers to pay (and the Borrowers hereby agree upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Section 11.5, to pay) to the Collateral Agent at the Payment Office such additional amounts of cash, to be held as security for the Borrowers’ reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit then outstanding, equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit then outstanding; and (vi) apply any cash collateral as provided in Section 5.2.

 

SECTION 12. The Agents . (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Fleet as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent for such Lender (for purposes of this Section 12, the term “Agents” means Fleet in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder and in its capacity as Collateral Agent hereunder and pursuant to the Security Documents), to act on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Credit Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere herein or in any other Credit Document, no Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall any Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or participant, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Agents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Credit

 

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Documents with reference to the Agents is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

(b) The Letter of Credit Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this Section 12 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Letter of Credit Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the applications and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent” as used in this Section 12 and in the definition of “Agent-Related Person” included the Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to the Letter of Credit Issuer.

 

12.1. Delegation of Duties . Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Credit Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact, including such sub-agents as shall be deemed necessary by such Agent, and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, sub-agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any such agent, sub-agent or other Person retained or employed pursuant to this Section 12.2 shall have all the benefits and immunities provided to any Agent in this Section 12 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such Person in connection herewith or therewith, as fully as if the term “Agent” as used in this Section 12 and in the definition of “Agent-Related Person” included such additional Persons with respect to such acts or omissions.

 

12.2. Liability of Agents . No Agent-Related Person shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any Lender or participant for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Credit Party or any officer thereof, contained herein or in any other Credit Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or for any failure of any Credit Party or any other party to any Credit Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender or participant to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof.

 

12.3. Reliance by Administrative Agent . (a) Each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, communication, signature, resolution, representation, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, electronic mail message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to

 

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be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to any Credit Party), independent accountants and other experts selected by such Agent. Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under any Credit Document unless such Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as such Agent deems appropriate and, if such Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Each Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Credit Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders (or such greater number of Lenders as may be expressly required hereby in any instance) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders.

 

(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections 6, 7 and 9.14, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and/or a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from an objecting Agent or Lender prior to the Effective Date or other relevant date of determination, as the case may be, specifying its objection thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that each Lender has the right to request from the Administrative Agent a copy of any item required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 6, 7 or 9.14 which is required to be satisfactory in form, scope and substance to the Administrative Agent.

 

12.4. Notice of Default . The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or the Borrowers referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” The Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be directed by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 11; provided, however, that unless and until the Administrative Agent has received any such direction, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

12.5. Credit Decision; Disclosure of Information by the Agents . Each Lender acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have disclosed material information in their possession. Each Lender represents to each Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has

 

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deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties, and all applicable bank or other regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrowers. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by an Agent herein, no Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates which may come into the possession of any Agent-Related Person.

 

12.6. Indemnification . Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand each Agent-Related Person (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of any Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any Credit Party to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities to the extent determined in a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent-Related Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, provided, however, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 12.7. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse each Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that such Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrowers. The undertaking in this Section 12.7 shall survive termination of the Total Commitment, the payment of all other Obligations and the resignation of the Agents.

 

12.7. Agents in their Individual Capacities . Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, enter into Swap Contracts with, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with each of the Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates as though such Agent were not an Agent, the Swingline Lender (if applicable) or the Letter of Credit Issuer (if applicable) hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, any Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding any Credit Party or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Credit Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that no Agent shall be under any obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans and all Obligators owing it, any Agent shall have

 

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the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise such rights and powers as though it were not an Agent, the Swingline Lender (if applicable) or a Letter of Credit Issuer (if applicable), and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include any Agent in its individual capacity.

 

12.8. Successor Agents . The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders; provided that any such resignation by Fleet shall also constitute its resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swingline Lender. If the Administrative Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor administrative agent for the Lenders, which successor administrative agent shall be consented to by the Borrowers at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrowers shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor administrative agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and the Borrowers, a successor administrative agent from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor administrative agent hereunder, the Person acting as such successor administrative agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, Letter of Credit Issuer and Swingline Lender and the respective terms “Administrative Agent,” “Letter of Credit Issuer” and “Swingline Lender” means such successor administrative agent, Letter of Credit issuer and Swingline lender, and the retiring Administrative Agent’s appointment, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated and the retiring Letter of Credit Issuer’s and Swingline Lender’s rights, powers and duties as such shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such retiring Letter of Credit Issuer or Swingline Lender or any other Lender, other than the obligation of the successor Letter of Credit Issuer to issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or to make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Letter of Credit Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 12 and Sections 13.4 and 13.5 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. If no successor administrative agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.

 

12.9. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or Letter of Credit Outstandings shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, Letter of Credit Outstandings and all other Obligations

 

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that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Agents under Sections 4.1 and 13.4) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 4.1 and 13.4.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

12.10. Collateral and Guaranty Matters . The Lenders irrevocably authorize of the Administrative Agent (including in its capacity as Collateral Agent), at its option and in its discretion:

 

(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Security Document (i) upon termination of the Total Commitment and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted hereunder or under any other Credit Document (other than a sale to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries), or (iii) subject to Section 13.1, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;

 

(b) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Security Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Sections 10.3(x), (xi) and (xii); and

 

(c) to release any Subsidiary of the Operating Company from its obligations under the Credit Party Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Operating Company as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Subsidiary of the Partnership from its obligations under the Credit Party Guaranty pursuant to this Section 12.11.

 

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12.11. Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers . None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement as an arranger or book manager shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

 

SECTION 13. Miscellaneous Amendment or Waiver .

 

(a) Neither this Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties party thereto and the Required Lenders, provided that no such change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender (with Obligations being directly affected thereby in the case of the following clause (i)), (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note or extend the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or Fees thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof (it being understood that any amendment or modification to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in any rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i), notwithstanding the fact that such amendment or modification actually results in such a reduction, provided that such amendment or modification was not made primarily for the purpose of reducing the interest rate or Fees hereunder), (ii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral (except as expressly provided herein and in the Security Documents) under all the Security Documents, (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 13.1 (except for technical amendments with respect to additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement which afford the protections to such additional extensions of credit of the type provided to the Acquisition Loans and the Revolving Loan Commitments on the Effective Date) or otherwise amend the definition of Required Lenders, (iv) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the extensions of Acquisition Loans, and Revolving Loan Commitments are included on the Effective Date), (v) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of their rights and obligations under this Agreement or (vi) amend or modify Section 13.19(a); provided further, that no such change, waiver, discharge or termination shall (A) be effective without the written acknowledgment (though not consent) of the Administrative Agent (such acknowledgment not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (B) increase the Commitments of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Total Commitment shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such Lender), (C) without the consent of each Letter of Credit Issuer, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 or alter its rights or obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, (D) without the consent of the Swingline Lender, alter its rights or obligations with respect to Swingline Loans, (E) without the consent of the respective Agent

 

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affected thereby, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 12 as same applies to such Agent or any other provision as same relates to the rights or obligations of such Agent, (F) without the consent of the Collateral Agent, amend, modify or waive any provision relating to the rights or obligations of the Collateral Agent, or (G) without the consent of the Acquisition Lenders, reduce the amount of or extend the date of any Scheduled Repayment.

 

(b) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of or to any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, of the first proviso to Section 13.1(a), the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then the Borrowers shall have the right, so long as all non-consenting Lenders whose individual consent is required are treated as described in either clause (A) or (B) below, to either (A) replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (or, at the option of the Borrowers if the respective Lender’s consent is required with respect to less than all Tranches of Loans (or related Commitments), to replace only the Commitments and/or Loans of the respective non-consenting Lender which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s individual consent) with one or more Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 2.13 so long as at the time of such replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination or (B) terminate such non-consenting Lender’s Commitments (if such Lender’s consent is required as a result of its Commitments) and/or repay each Tranche of outstanding Loans of such Lender which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s consent and/or cash collateralize its applicable RL Percentage of the Letter of Credit of Outstandings, in accordance with Sections 4.2(b) and/or 5.1(vi), provided that, unless the Commitments which are terminated and Loans which are repaid pursuant to preceding clause (B) are immediately replaced in full at such time through the addition of new Lenders or the increase of the Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of existing Lenders (who in each case must specifically consent thereto), then in the case of any action pursuant to preceding clause (B), the Required Lenders (determined after giving effect to the proposed action) shall specifically consent thereto, provided further , that the Borrowers shall not have the right to replace a Lender, terminate its Commitment or repay its Loans solely as a result of the exercise of such Lender’s rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Lender) pursuant to the second proviso to Section 13.1(a).

 

13.2. Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies . (a) General . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed certified or registered mail, faxed or delivered to the applicable address, facsimile number or (subject to subsection (b) below) electronic mail address, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on the signature page or Schedule II hereto, or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties hereto, provided however that, all notices to any Credit Parties shall be delivered to the Operating Company.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business

 

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hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b) Electronic Communications . Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Section 2, 3 or 4 if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Sections by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or any Credit Party may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

(c) Effectiveness of Facsimile Documents and Signatures . Credit Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile. The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable law, have the same force and effect as manually-signed originals and shall be binding on all Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and the Lenders. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be confirmed by a manually-signed original thereof; provided , however , that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile document or signature.

 

(d) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall each be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Notices of Borrowing) believed by it in good faith to have been given by or on behalf of any Credit Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Credit Parties shall indemnify each Agent-Related Person and each Lender from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice believed by the respective such Person in good faith to have been given by or on behalf of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party. All telephonic notices to and other communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent or any other party, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

13.3. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Lender, any Agent or the Collateral Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

13.4. Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes . The Borrowers agree (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and

 

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execution of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all legal fees, and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any “workout” or restructuring in respect of the Obligations and during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all legal fees. The foregoing costs and expenses shall include all search, filing, recording, title insurance and appraisal charges and fees and taxes related thereto, and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent or the Collateral Agent and the cost of independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent. All amounts due under this Section 13.4 shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Total Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.

 

13.5. Indemnification by the Borrowers . Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Borrowers shall indemnify and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person, each Lender and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (collectively the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements (including legal fees) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (a) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Credit Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) any Commitment, Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Letter of Credit Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), or (c) any actual or alleged presence Release, or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property formerly, currently, or hereafter owned or operated by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Claim related in any way to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, or (d) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other

 

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similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date). All amounts due under this Section 13.5 shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the total Commitment and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

 

13.6. Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrowers is made to any Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, or any Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment.

 

13.7. Successors and Assigns . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in Letters of Credit and in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined in subsection (g) of this Section) with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment and/or (without duplication) Loans subject to

 

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each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than (x) $2,000,000, in the case of an assignment of Revolving Loan Commitments (and related Obligations) and (y) $2,000,000, in the case of an assignment of Acquisition Loans, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); (ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in respect of Swingline Loans; (iii) any assignment of a Revolving Loan Commitment must be approved by each of the Administrative Agent, each Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swingline Lender unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender (whether or not the proposed assignee would otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and (iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5, 5.4, 13.4 and 13.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at the Notice Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or other substantive change to the Credit Documents is pending, any Lender wishing to consult with other Lenders in connection therewith may request and receive from the Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.

 

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(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Partnership’ Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in Letters of Credit Outstandings and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, except to the extent such amendment, modification or waiver would (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan, Note or Letter of Credit (unless such Letter of Credit is not extended beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date) in which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or Fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Total Commitment or of a mandatory repayment of Loans shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof and that any amendment or modification to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in any rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)), (ii) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Partnership or the Borrowers of any of their rights and obligations under this Agreement or (iii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly provided in the Security Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such participant is participating. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.9 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 13.19(b) as though it were a Lender.

 

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers’ prior written consent. A Participant that would be a non-U.S. Lender for purposes of Section 5.4 if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.4 unless the Borrowers are notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 5.4 as though it were a Lender.

 

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note(s), if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal

 

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Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(g) As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, each Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swingline Lender, and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Borrowers or any of the Partnership’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Fleet assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Fleet may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign as Letter of Credit Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrowers, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer or Swingline Lender, the Borrowers shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Letter of Credit Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrowers to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Fleet as Letter of Credit Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Fleet resigns as Letter of Credit Issuer, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the Letter of Credit Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit Outstandings as of the effective date of its resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer and all Letter of Credit Outstandings with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to fund risk participations in Unpaid Drawings pursuant to Section 3.3(c)). If Fleet resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Mandatory Borrowings pursuant to Section 2.1(d).

 

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 13.7(b) above, at any time after the termination of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment, if any Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit remain outstanding, assignments may be made as provided above in said Section, except that the respective assignment shall be of a portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of the respective RL Lender and its participation in Letters of Credit and its obligation to make Mandatory Borrowings, although any such assignment effected after the termination of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall not release the assigning RL Lender from its obligations as an L/C Participant with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit or to fund its share of any Mandatory Borrowing (although the respective assignee may

 

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agree, as between itself and the respective assigning RL Lender, that it shall be responsible for such amounts).

 

(j) At the time of each assignment pursuant to Section 13.7(b) to a Person which is not already a Lender hereunder and which is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for Federal income tax purposes, the respective assignee Lender shall provide to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Forms (and, if applicable a Section 5.4(b)(ii) Certificate) described in Section 5.4(b). To the extent that an assignment of all or any portion of a Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Obligations pursuant to Section 2.13 or Section 13.7(b) would, due to circumstances existing at the time of such assignment, result in increased costs under Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4 from those being charged by the respective assigning Lender prior to such assignment, then the Borrowers shall not be obligated to pay such increased costs (although the Borrowers shall be obligated to pay any other increased costs of the type described above resulting from changes after the date of the respective assignment).

 

13.8. Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrowers and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrowers or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers or (i) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 13.8). For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Partnership or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care

 

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to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, “Information” shall not include, and the Credit Parties, each Agent, each Lender and the respective Affiliates of each of the foregoing (and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives of each of the foregoing and their Affiliates) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind (a) any information with respect to the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby and any facts that may be relevant to understanding such tax treatment, which facts shall not include for this purpose the names of the parties or any other Person named herein, or information that would permit identification of the parties or such other Persons, or any pricing terms or other nonpublic business or financial information that is unrelated to such tax treatment or facts, and (b) all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) relating to such tax treatment or facts that are provided to any of the Persons referred to above.

 

13.9. Set-off . In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each Lender (acting in any capacity hereunder) is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to the Borrowers or any other Credit Party, any such notice being waived by the Borrowers (on their own behalf and on behalf of each Credit Party) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the respective Credit Parties against any and all Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under any other Credit Document, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made demand under this Agreement or any other Credit Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable deposit or indebtedness. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

13.10. Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Credit Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Credit Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

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13.11. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

13.12. Integration . This Agreement, together with the other Credit Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Credit Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Credit Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Credit Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.

 

13.13. Survival . (a) All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Credit Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of any Credit Event, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

(b) All indemnities set forth herein including, without limitation, in Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5, 5.4, 12.7, 13.4 and 13.5, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 13.18 (to the extent applicable), survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making and repayment of the Loans.

 

13.14. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

13.15. Governing Law . (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH ; PROVIDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

 

(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE

 

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COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA SITTING IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF THE COMMONWEALTH, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO. EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

 

13.16. Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury . EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

13.17. USA PATRIOT Act Notice . Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of such Credit Party, individuals with authority or control over such Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the Act.

 

13.18. Limitation on Additional Amounts; Cash Collateral, etc . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4 of this Agreement, unless a Lender gives notice to the Borrowers that it is obligated to pay an amount under such Section within three months after the later of (x) the date the Lender incurs the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital or (y) the date such Lender has actual knowledge of its incurrence of the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability, reductions in

 

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amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital, then such Lender shall only be entitled to be compensated for such amount pursuant to said Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4, as the case may be, to the extent of the costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital that are incurred or suffered on or after the date which occurs three months prior to such Lender giving notice to the Borrowers that it is obligated to pay the respective amounts pursuant to said Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4, as the case may be. This Section 13.18 shall have no applicability to any Section of this Agreement other than said Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4.

 

(b) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing, at any time that the Borrowers have on deposit with the Collateral Agent any cash collateral securing any of the Obligations, the Borrowers shall have the right to direct the Collateral Agent to invest such cash collateral in Cash Equivalents reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent until such time as such Cash Collateral is applied to the repayment of Obligations or otherwise disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

13.19. Payments Pro Rata; Sharing of Payments . (a) The Administrative Agent agrees that promptly after its receipt of each payment from or on behalf of any Credit Party in respect of any Obligations of such Credit Party, it shall, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, distribute such payment to the Lenders (other than any Lender that has consented in writing to waive its pro rata share of such payment) pro rata based upon their respective shares, if any, of the Obligations with respect to which such payment was received.

 

(b) If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Loans (other than the Swingline Loans) made by it, or the participations in Letter of Credit Outstandings or in Swingline Loans held by it, any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them and/or such subparticipations in the participations in Letter of Credit Outstandings or Swingline Loans held by them, as the case may be, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment in respect of such Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 13.6 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon. The Borrowers agree that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 13.9) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation. The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error)

 

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of participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments. Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of the preceding Sections 13.19(a) and (b) shall be subject to the express provisions of this Agreement which require, or permit, differing payments to be made to Non-Defaulting Lenders as opposed to Defaulting Lenders.

 

13.20. Calculations; Computations . (a) The financial statements to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant hereto shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as set forth in the notes thereto or as otherwise disclosed in writing by the Borrowers to the Lenders); provided that except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all computations determining the Applicable Margins and compliance with Sections 5.2, 9.14 and 10, including in each case definitions used therein, shall, in each case, utilize accounting principles and policies in effect at the time of the preparation of, and in conformity with those used to prepare, the December 31, 2003 financial statements of the Partnership delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.10(b); provided further , that to the extent expressly required pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, certain calculations shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

(b) All computations of interest (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) and Fees hereunder shall be made on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days. All computations of Base Rate interest hereunder shall be made on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365/366 days.

 

13.21. Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date. The Administrative Agent will give the Credit Parties and each Lender prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Effective Date.

 

13.22. Headings Descriptive . The headings of the several sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

 

13.23. Domicile of Loans and Commitments . Each Lender may transfer and carry its Loans and/or Commitments at, to or for the account of any branch office, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender; provided that the Borrowers shall not be responsible for costs arising under Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 and 5.4 resulting from any such transfer (other than a transfer pursuant to Section 2.12) to the extent such costs would not otherwise be applicable to such Lender in the absence of such transfer.

 

SECTION 14. THE CREDIT PARTY GUARANTY .

 

14.1. The Credit Party Guaranty . In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit hereunder and to induce the Lenders or any of their respective

 

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affiliates to enter into and/or maintain Swap Contracts, and in recognition of the direct benefits to be received by each Credit Party from the proceeds of the Loans, the issuance of the Letters of Credit and the entering into and maintenance of Swap Contracts, each Credit Party hereby agrees with the Lenders as follows: each Credit Party hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety the full and prompt payment when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration or otherwise, of any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations. If any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations becomes due and payable, each Credit Party unconditionally promises to pay such indebtedness, or order, on demand, together with any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses which may be incurred by the Secured Creditors in collecting any of the Guaranteed Obligations. This Credit Party Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. This Credit Party Guaranty is a continuing one and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon. If claim is ever made upon any Secured Creditor for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment or on account of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees repays all or part of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with any such claimant (including any Borrower), then and in such event each Credit Party agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon such Credit Party, notwithstanding any revocation of this Credit Party Guaranty or any other instrument evidencing any liability of any other Borrower, and such Credit Party shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

 

14.2. Bankruptcy . Additionally, each Credit Party unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the payment of any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations to the Secured Creditors whether or not due or payable by any Borrower upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 11.5, and unconditionally promises to pay such indebtedness to the Secured Creditors, or order, on demand.

 

14.3. Nature of Liability . The liability of each Credit Party hereunder is exclusive and independent of any guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations whether executed by such Credit Party, any other guarantor or by any other party, and the liability of each Credit Party hereunder is not affected or impaired by (a) any direction as to application of payment by any Borrower or by any other party, or (b) any other continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a guarantor or of any other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations, or (c) any payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, or (d) any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by any Borrower, or (e) any payment made to the Secured Creditors on the Guaranteed Obligations which any such Secured Creditor repays to any Borrower pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding, and each Credit Party waives any right to the deferral or modification of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such proceeding, or (f) any action or inaction of the type described in Section 14.5, or (g) the lack of validity or enforceability of any Credit Document or any other instrument relating thereto.

 

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14.4. Independent Obligation . No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations shall affect, impair or be a defense to this Credit Party Guaranty, and this Credit Party Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the existence of any other circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor except payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations of each Credit Party. The obligations of each Credit Party hereunder are independent of the obligations of any Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against either Credit Party whether or not action is brought against any Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person and whether or not any Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person be joined in any such action or actions. Each Credit Party waives, to the full extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof. Any payment by any Borrower with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to such Borrower shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to the relevant Credit Party.

 

14.5. Authorization . Each Credit Party authorizes the Secured Creditors without notice or demand (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived), and without affecting or impairing its liability hereunder, from time to time to:

 

(a) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the rate of interest thereon) or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and this Credit Party Guaranty shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed, increased or altered;

 

(b) take and hold security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations and sell, exchange, release, impair, surrender, realize upon or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset there against;

 

(c) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against any Borrower or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

 

(d) release or substitute any one or more endorsers, guarantors, any Borrower or other obligors;

 

(e) settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of any Borrower to its respective creditors other than the Secured Creditors;

 

(f) apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any liability or liabilities of any Borrower to the Secured Creditors regardless of what liability or liabilities of such Borrower remain unpaid;

 

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(g) consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default under, this Agreement, any other Credit Document, any Swap Contract or any of the instruments or agreements referred to herein or therein, or otherwise amend, modify or supplement this Agreement, any other Credit Document, any Swap Contract or any of such other instruments or agreements; and/or

 

(h) take any other action which would, under otherwise applicable principles of common law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge of such Credit Party from its liabilities under this Credit Party Guaranty.

 

14.6. Reliance . It is not necessary for the Secured Creditors to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Borrower or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on their behalf, and any Guaranteed Obligations made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder by the relevant Credit Party.

 

14.7. Subordination . Any of the indebtedness of any Credit Party now or hereafter owing to any other Credit Party is hereby subordinated to the Guaranteed Obligations of such Credit Party owing to the Secured Creditors; and if the Administrative Agent so requests at a time when an Event of Default exists, all such indebtedness of such Credit Party to such other Credit Party shall be collected, enforced and received by such Credit Party for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and be paid over to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Creditors on account of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Credit Party to the Secured Creditors, but without affecting or impairing in any manner the liability of any Credit Party under the other provisions of this Credit Party Guaranty. No Credit Party shall assign to any Person any note or negotiable instrument evidencing any of the indebtedness of any Credit Party to such Credit Party, except to another Credit Party or the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Credit Party hereby agrees with the Secured Creditors that it will not exercise any right of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Credit Party Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) until all Guaranteed Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash.

 

14.8. Waiver . (a) Each Credit Party waives any right (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) to require any Secured Creditor to (i) proceed against any Credit Party, any other guarantor or any other party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any Credit Party, any other guarantor or any other party or (iii) pursue any other remedy in any Secured Creditor’s power whatsoever. Each Credit Party waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower, any other guarantor or any other party, other than payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations, based on or arising out of the disability of any Credit Party, any other guarantor or any other party, or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Credit Party other than payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Secured Creditors may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Creditor by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable (to the extent such sale is permitted by applicable law), or exercise any other right or remedy the

 

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Secured Creditors may have against any Credit Party or any other party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of either Credit Party hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations of each Credit Party have been paid in full in cash. Each Credit Party waives any defense arising out of any such election by the Secured Creditors, even though such election operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Credit Party against any Credit Party or any other party or any security.

 

(b) Each Credit Party waives all presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Credit Party Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation, modification or incurring of new or additional Guaranteed Obligations. Each Credit Party assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks which each Credit Party assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Secured Creditors shall have no duty to advise such Credit Party of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

(c) Until such time as the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full in cash, each Credit Party hereby waives all rights of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Credit Party Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise) to the claims of the Secured Creditors against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations and all contractual, statutory or common law rights of reimbursement, contribution or indemnity from any Borrower or any other guarantor which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Credit Party Guaranty.

 

(d) Each Credit Party warrants and agrees that each of the waivers set forth above is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences and that if any of such waivers are determined to be contrary to any applicable law of public policy, such waivers shall be effective only to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

(e) Should a claim be made upon Administrative Agent or any Lender at any time for repayment of any amount received by Administrative Agent or any Lender in payment of the Obligations, or any part thereof, whether received from any Credit Party or received by Administrative Agent or any Lender as the proceeds of Collateral, by reason of: (1) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their property, or (2) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by Administrative Agent or any Lender, in its sole discretion, with the claimant (including a Credit Party), each Credit Party shall remain liable to Administrative Agent or any such Lender for the amount so repaid to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by Administrative Agent or any such Lender, notwithstanding any termination hereof or the cancellation of any note or other instrument evidencing any of the Obligations. To the extent Administrative Agent is required to repay any such amount, each Lender shall, to the extent Administrative Agent previously paid to such Lender a portion of the amount which must be repaid, upon demand of Administrative Agent,

 

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return to Administrative Agent the amount which had previously been paid by Administrative Agent to such Lender.

 

(f) To the extent that any payment to, or realization by, any Lender or Administrative Agent on the Obligations exceeds the limitations of this Section 14 and is otherwise subject to avoidance and recovery in any such proceeding, the amount subject to avoidance shall in all events be limited to the amount by which such actual payment or realization exceeds such limitation, and this Agreement as limited shall in all events remain in full force and effect and be fully enforceable against such Credit Party. This Section 14 is intended solely to reserve the rights of Lenders and Administrative Agent hereunder against each Credit Party, in such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Debtor Relief Laws and neither the Credit Parties, any guarantor of the Obligations nor any other Person shall have any right, claim or defense under this Section 14 that would not otherwise be available under applicable Debtor Relief Laws in such proceeding.

 

14.9. Acknowledgement of Joint and Several Liability . (a) Each Borrower (other than the Controlled Non-Profits) acknowledges that it is jointly and severally liable for all of the Obligations under the Credit Documents. Each Borrower expressly understands, agrees and acknowledges that (i) Borrowers are all affiliated entities by common ownership, (ii) each Borrower desires to have the availability of one common credit facility instead of separate credit facilities, (iii) each Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend such a common credit facility on the terms herein provided, (iv) the Lenders will be lending against, and relying on a lien upon, all of Borrowers’ assets even though the proceeds of any particular loan made hereunder may not be advanced directly to a particular Borrower, (v) each Borrower will nonetheless benefit by the making of all such loans by each Lender and the availability of a single credit facility of a size greater than each could independently warrant, (vi) all of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, conditions, agreements and other terms contained in the Credit Documents shall be applicable to and shall be binding upon each Borrower, and (vii) the Borrowers have each executed the Notes as co-makers of the Notes and that it would not be able to obtain the credit provided by the Lenders hereunder without the financial support provided by the other Borrowers.

 

(b) Each Borrower (other than the Controlled Non-Profits) hereby guarantees the prompt payment and performance in full of all Obligations. Such guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection. Each Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be unconditional irrespective of (i) the validity or enforceability, avoidance, or subordination of the Obligations of any other Credit Party or of any promissory note or other document evidencing all or any part of the Obligations of any other Credit Party, (ii) the absence of any attempt to collect the Obligations from any other Credit Party, or any other security therefor, or the absence of any other action to enforce the same, (iii) the waiver, consent, extension, forbearance, or granting of any indulgence by Administrative Agent and/or any Lender with respect to any provision of any instrument evidencing the Obligations of any other Credit Party or any part thereof, or any other agreement now or hereafter executed by any other Credit Party and delivered to Administrative Agent and/or any Lender, (iv) the failure by Administrative Agent and/or any Lender to take any steps to perfect and maintain its security interest in, or to preserve its rights to, any security or collateral for the Obligations of any other Credit Party, (v) Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s election,

 

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in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, (vi) any borrowing or grant of a security interest by any other Credit Party, as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, (vii) the disallowance of all or any portion of Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s claim(s) for the repayment of the Obligations of any other Credit Party under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, or (viii) any other circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor or of any other Credit Party (other than actual indefeasible payment in full in cash). With respect to any Borrower’s obligations arising as a result of the joint and several liability of Borrowers hereunder with respect to Borrowings or other Credit Events made to or for any of the other Borrowers hereunder, such Borrower waives, until the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and this Agreement shall have been terminated, any right to enforce any right of subrogation or any remedy which Administrative Agent and/or any Lender now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party, or any endorser of all or any part of the Obligations, and any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to Administrative Agent and/or any Lender to secure payment of the Obligations or any other liability of any Borrower to Administrative Agent and/or any Lender. During the existence of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may proceed directly and at once, without notice, against any Borrower to collect and recover the full amount, or any portion of the Obligations, without first proceeding against any other Credit Party or any other Person, or against any security or collateral for the Obligations. Each Borrower consents and agrees that Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Borrower or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.

 

(c) Each Borrower (other than the Controlled Non-Profits) is obligated to repay the Obligations as joint and several obligors under this Agreement. To the extent that any Credit Party shall, under this Agreement as a joint and several obligor, repay any of the Obligations constituting Borrowings or Credit Events made to or for another Borrower hereunder or other Obligations incurred directly and primarily by any other Borrower (an ” Accommodation Payment ”), then the Borrower making such Accommodation Payment shall be entitled to contribution and indemnification from, and be reimbursed by, each of the other Borrowers in an amount, for each of such other Borrowers, equal to a fraction of such Accommodation Payment, the numerator of which fraction is such other Borrower’s Allocable Amount and the denominator of which is the sum of the Allocable Amounts of all of the Borrowers. As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of each Borrower shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability for Accommodation Payments which could be asserted against such Borrower hereunder without (i) rendering such Borrower “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101 (31) of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“ UFTA ”) or Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act (“ UFCA ”), (ii) leaving such Borrower with unreasonably small capital or assets, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (iii) leaving such Borrower unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA. All rights and claims of contribution, indemnification, and reimbursement under this Section 14.9 shall be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Obligations. The provisions of this Section 14.9 shall, to the extent inconsistent with any provision in any Credit Document, supersede such inconsistent provision.

 

- 124 -


(d) If (i) any court holds that Borrowers are guarantors and not jointly and severally liable or (ii) bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings at any time are instituted by or against any Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law, each Borrower hereby: (A) until indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations, expressly and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent possible, on behalf of such Borrower, any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, to reimbursement, to exoneration, to contribution, to indemnification, to set off or to any other rights that could accrue to a surety against a principal, to a guarantor against a maker or obligor, to an accommodation party against the party accommodated, to a holder or transferee against a maker, or to the holder of a claim against any Person, and which such Borrower may have or hereafter acquire against any Person in connection with or as a result of such Borrower’s execution, delivery and/or performance of this Agreement, or any other documents to which such Borrower is a party or otherwise; (B) expressly and irrevocably waives any “claim” (as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy Code) of any kind against any other Borrower, and further agrees that it shall not have or assert any such rights against any Person (including any surety), either directly or as an attempted set off to any action commenced against such Borrower by Administrative Agent or a Lender or any other Person; and (C) acknowledges and agrees (I) that this waiver is intended to benefit Administrative Agent and Lenders and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Borrower’s liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Agreement, and (II) that Administrative Agent and Lenders and their successors and assigns are intended beneficiaries of this waiver, and agreements set forth in this Section 14.9 and their rights under this Section 14.9 shall survive payment in full of the Obligations.

 

(e) This Agreement shall in all respects be continuing, absolute and unconditional, and shall remain in full force and effect with respect to each Borrower until all Obligations shall have been indefeasibly fully paid. No compromise, settlement, release or discharge of, or indulgence with respect to, or failure, neglect or omission to enforce or exercise any right against, any one or Borrowers shall release or discharge the other Borrowers.

 

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, each Controlled Non-Profit shall be liable only for that portion of the Obligations evidenced by (i) any Loan or other extension of credit made to, or for the benefit of, such entity hereunder or under any other Credit Document, (ii) any loan, advance or other distribution to such entity of proceeds of any Loan or other extension of credit made to any other Borrower hereunder, and (iii) its proportionate share of all Loans and other extensions of credit made hereunder to fund any administrative and other management related fees, costs and expenses of the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company or any Borrower providing services to such Controlled Non-Profit pursuant to a Cemetery Management Agreement; and the Collateral of such Controlled Non-Profit shall only secure, or be utilized to repay, such portion of the obligations described above.

 

*    *    *

 

- 125 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Credit Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Address :

 

4 Penn Center
PA7-188-11-01
1600 J.F.K. Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Facsimile: 267.675.0366

     

FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as

Administrative Agent and a Lender

       
      By:   /s/    Kenneth G. Wood
         

Name: Kenneth G. Wood

         

Title: Senior Vice President

3 Terry Drive
Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
Facsimile: 215.497.8575
     

SOVEREIGN BANK

       
      By:   /s/    Karl F. Shultz
         

Name: Karl F. Shultz

         

Title: Vice President

One Commerce Square
2005 Market Street, Second Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Facsimile: 215.557.6209
     

COMMERCE BANK, N.A.

       
      By:   /s/    Peter L. Davis
         

Name: Peter L. Davis

         

Title: Senior Vice President

 

S-1 [Credit Agreement]


                STONEMOR GP LLC
                 
            By:       /s/    Paul Waimberg
               

Name:  Paul Waimberg

               

Title:    Vice President

               

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

               

By:

 

STONEMOR GP LLC

                   

its General Partner

                     
            By:       /s/    Paul Waimberg
               

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

               

Title:

 

Vice President

155 Rittenhouse Circle
Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007
Facsimile: 215.826.2851
         

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

           
      By:       /s/    Paul Waimberg
               

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

               

Title:

 

Vice President

 

S-2 [Credit Agreement]


Alleghany Memorial Park LLC
Alleghany Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Altavista Memorial Park LLC
Altavista Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Arlington Development Company
Augusta Memorial Park Perpetual Care Company
Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Bedford County Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC
Bethel Cemetery Association
Beth Israel Cemetery Association of Woodbridge, New Jersey
Birchlawn Burial Park LLC
Birchlawn Burial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens LLC
Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC
Butler County Memorial Park LLC
Butler County Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Cedar Hill Funeral Home, Inc.
Cemetery Investments LLC
Cemetery Investments Subsidiary, Inc.
Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.
Cemetery Management Services of Mid-Atlantic States, L.L.C.
Cemetery Management Services of Ohio, L.L.C.
Cemetery Management Services of Pennsylvania, L.L.C.
Chartiers Cemetery LLC
Chartiers Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Clover Leaf Park Cemetery Association
CMS West LLC
CMS West Subsidiary LLC
Columbia Memorial Park LLC
Columbia Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
The Corapolis Cemetery Company
The Coraopolis Cemetery Parent LLC
The Coraopolis Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Cornerstone Family Insurance Services, Inc.
Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey, Inc.
Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia Subsidiary, Inc.
Cornerstone Funeral and Cremation Services LLC

 

By:   /s/    Paul Waimberg    
Name:     Paul Waimberg    
Title:    As   Vice President for each of the    
    above-named Credit Parties

 

S-3 [Credit Agreement]


Covenant Acquisition LLC
Covenant Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.
Crown Hill Cemetery Association
Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc.
Glen Haven Memorial Park LLC
Glen Haven Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Green Lawn Memorial Park LLC
Green Lawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC
Henlopen Memorial Park LLC
Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Henry Memorial Park LLC
Henry Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
J.V. Walker LLC
J.V. Walker Subsidiary LLC
Juniata Memorial Park LLC
Juniata Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC
KIRIS LLC
KIRIS Subsidiary, Inc.
Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC
Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.
Lakewood Memory Gardens South LLC
Lakewood Memory Gardens South Subsidiary, Inc.
Laurel Hill Memorial Park LLC
Laurel Hill Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Laurelwood Cemetery Company
Laurelwood Cemetery Parent LLC
Laurelwood Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Laurelwood Holding Company
Legacy Estates, Inc.
Locustwood Cemetery Association
Loewen [Virginia] LLC
Loewen [Virginia] Subsidiary, Inc.
Lorraine Park Cemetery LLC
Lorraine Park Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.
Melrose Land LLC
Melrose Land Subsidiary LLC
Modern Park Development LLC
Modern Park Development Subsidiary, Inc.
Morris Cemetery Perpetual Care Company
Mount Lebanon Cemetery LLC

 

By:   /s/    Paul Waimberg    
Name:     Paul Waimberg    
Title:    As   Vice President for each of the    
    above-named Credit Parties

 

S-4 [Credit Agreement]


Mount Lebanon Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc.
Mt. Airy Cemetery Parent LLC
Mt. Airy Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Oak Hill Cemetery LLC
Oak Hill Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.
Osiris Holding Finance Company
Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC
Osiris Holding of Maryland Subsidiary, Inc.
Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC
Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania Subsidiary LLC
Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC
Osiris Holding of Rhode Island Subsidiary, Inc.
Osiris Management, Inc.
Osiris Telemarketing Corp.
Perpetual Gardens.Com, Inc.
The Prospect Cemetery LLC
The Prospect Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Prospect Hill Cemetery LLC
Prospect Hill Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
PVD Acquisitions LLC
PVD Acquisitions Subsidiary, Inc.
Riverside Cemetery LLC
Riverside Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Riverview Memorial Gardens LLC
Riverview Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC
Rockbridge Memorial Gardens LLC
Rockbridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary Company
Rolling Green Memorial Park LLC
Rolling Green Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC
Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC
Rose Lawn Cemeteries Subsidiary, Incorporated
Roselawn Development LLC
Roselawn Development Subsidiary Corporation
Russell Memorial Cemetery LLC
Russell Memorial Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.
Shenandoah Memorial Park LLC
Shenandoah Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

 

By:    /s/    Paul Waimberg    
Name:       Paul Waimberg
Title:         As Vice President for each of the
             above-named Credit Parties

 

S-5 [Credit Agreement]


Southern Memorial Sales LLC
Southern Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.
Springhill Memory Gardens LLC
Springhill Memory Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.
Star City Memorial Sales LLC
Star City Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.
Stitham LLC
Stitham Subsidiary, Incorporated
Sunset Memorial Gardens LLC
Sunset Memorial Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.
Sunset Memorial Park LLC
Sunset Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Temple Hill LLC
Temple Hill Subsidiary Corporation
Tioga County Memorial Gardens LLC
Tioga County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC
Tri-County Memorial Gardens LLC
Tri-County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC
Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum LLC
Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum Subsidiary LLC
The Valhalla Cemetery Company LLC
The Valhalla Cemetery Subsidiary Corporation
Virginia Memorial Service LLC
Virginia Memorial Service Subsidiary Corporation
WNCI LLC
W N C Subsidiary, Inc.
Westminster Cemetery LLC
Westminster Cemetery Subsidiary LLC
Wicomico Memorial Parks LLC
Wicomico Memorial Parks Subsidiary, Inc.
Willowbrook Management Corp.
Woodlawn Memorial Gardens LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Park Association
Woodlawn Memorial Park Parent LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

 

By:     /s/    Paul Waimberg    
Name:     Paul Waimberg    
Title:       As Vice President for each of the    
    above-named Credit Parties

 

S-6 [Credit Agreement]


 

SCHEDULE I

 

LIST OF LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

 

Lender


   Revolving Loan
Commitment


   Acquisition Loan
Commitment


Fleet National Bank

   $ 5,357,142.86    $ 9,642,857.14

Sovereign Bank

   $ 3,571,428.57    $ 6,428,571.43

Commerce Bank, N.A.

   $ 3,571,428.57    $ 6,428,571.43

Total

   $ 12,500,000    $ 22,500,000

 


 

SCHEDULE II

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ADDRESSES

 

For Payments and Requests for Credit Extensions

 

Fleet National Bank

Agency Management

Mail Stop: NY5-526-28-01

1633 Broadway

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Dawn Marie Matos

Facsimile No.: (646) 366-4508

E-mail: dawn_marie_matos@fleet.com

 

Fleet National Bank

4 Penn Center

PA7-188-11-01

1600 J.F.K. Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: Kenneth G. Wood

Facsimile No.: (267) 675-0366

E-mail: kenneth_g_wood@fleet.com

 

Other Notices to Administrative Agent :

 

Fleet National Bank

4 Penn Center

PA7-188-11-01

1600 J.F.K. Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: Kenneth G. Wood

Facsimile No.: (267) 675-0366

E-mail: kenneth_g_wood@fleet.com

 


SCHEDULE III

 

REAL PROPERTY

 

OWNED REAL PROPERTY

 

All of the properties listed below are owned by a Borrower as indicated below and are deemed a Mortgaged Property:

 

Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


    Alabama    
Valhalla Cemetery   Bessemer/Midfield; Jefferson   The Valhalla Cemetery Company LLC
    Connecticut    
None        
    Delaware    
Henlopen Memorial Park   Milton; Sussex   Henlopen Memorial Park LLC
    Georgia    
Lakewood Memory Gardens South   Rossville; Catoosa   Lakewood Memory Gardens South LLC
    Maryland    
Hillcrest Burial   Cumberland; Allegany   Modern Park Development LLC
Lincoln Memorial   Suitland; Prince Georges   Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC
Lorraine Park Cemetery   Baltimore; Baltimore   Lorraine Park Cemetery LLC
Spring Hill Memory Gardens   Hebron; Wicomico   Spring Hill Memory Gardens LLC
Sunset Memorial Park   Cumberland; Allegany   Sunset Memorial Park LLC
Washington National Cemetery   Suitland; Prince Georges   WNCI LLC
Wicomico Memorial Park   Salisbury; Wicomico   Wicomico Memorial Parks LLC
Cedar Hill Cemetery   Suitland; Prince Georges   Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC
Cedar Hill Funeral Home   Suitland; Prince Georges   Cedar Hill Funeral Home, Inc.
Columbia Memorial Park   Columbia; Howard   Columbia Memorial Park LLC
Glen Haven Memorial Park   Glen Burnie; Anne Arundel   Glen Haven Memorial Park LLC
    New Jersey    
None        


Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


    Ohio    
Crown Hill Cemetery   Twinsburg; Summit   Crown Hill Cemetery Association and Crown Hill Mausoleum Company
Butler County Memorial Park   Hamilton; Butler   Butler County Memorial Park LLC
    Pennsylvania    
Allegheny County Memorial Park   McCandless; Allegheny   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Bethlehem Memorial Park   Bethlehem; Northampton   Melrose Land LLC
Blair Memorial Park   Altoona; Blair   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens   Harrisburg; Dauphin   Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens LLC
Castleview Memorial Park   New Castle; Lawrence   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Centre County Memorial Park   State College; Centre   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Chartiers Cemetery   Pittsburgh; Allegheny   Chartiers Cemetery LLC
Coraopolis Cemetery   Coraopolis; Allegheny   The Coraopolis Cemetery Company
Crestview Memorial Park   Grove City; Mercer   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens   Carlisle; Cumberland   Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC
Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home   State College; Centre   Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc.
Erie County Memorial Gardens   Erie; Erie   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Grand View Memorial Park   Annville; Lebanon   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Greene County Memorial Park   Waynesburg; Greene   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Greenlawn Burial Estates (for additional 110 acres see Semper Concrete Vault Plant)   Franklin Twp.; Butler   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Green Lawn Memorial Park   Clinton Twp.; Lycoming   Green Lawn Memorial Park LLC
Greenwood Cemetery   Lancaster; Lancaster   Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC
Juniata Memorial Park   Lewistown; Mifflin   Juniata Memorial Park LLC
Lakewood Memorial Park   Cheswick; Allegheny   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Laurelwood Cemetery   Stroudburg; Monroe   Laurelwood Cemetery Company


Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


Lawn Haven Burial Estates (Plus adjacent 80 acre parcel)   Worthington; Armstrong   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
The Morris Cemetery   Phoenixville; Chester   J.V. Walker LLC
Mount Airy Cemetery   Natrona Heights; Allegheny   Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc.
Mount Lebanon Cemetery   Pittsburgh; Allegheny   Mount Lebanon Cemetery LLC
Mount Royal Memorial Park   Glenshaw; Allegheny   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Mount Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum   Pottstown; Chester   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Parklawn Memorial Gardens   Ridgeway; Elk   Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC
Pinewood Memorial Park   Cranberry Township; Butler   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Pleasant View Cemetery   Sinking Spring; Berks   Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC
Prospect Cemetery   East Stroudsburg; Monroe   The Prospect Cemetery LLC
Prospect Hill   Harrisburg; Dauphin   Prospect Hill Cemetery LLC
Riverside Cemetery   Norristown; Montgomery   Riverside Cemetery LLC
Riverview Memorial Gardens   Halifax; Dauphin   Riverview Memorial Gardens LLC
Rolling Green Cemetery   Westchester; Chester   Rolling Green Memorial Park LLC
Roselawn Memorial Gardens   Meadville; Crawford   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Semper Concrete Vault Plant (this is 110 acres adjacent to Greenlawn Burial Estates)   Butler; Butler   CMS West LLC
South Side Cemetery   Pittsburgh; Allegheny   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens   Cranberry; Venango   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Tioga County Memorial Gardens   Charleston Twp; Tioga   Tioga County Memorial Gardens LLC
Tri-County Memorial Gardens   Lewisberry; York   Tri-County Memorial Gardens LLC
Twin Hills Memorial   Muncy; Lycoming   Twin Hills Memorial Park & Mausoleum Corporation
Voegtly Cemetery   Pittsburgh; Allegheny   CMS West LLC
Westminster Cemetery   Carlisle; Cumberland   Westminster Cemetery LLC
Woodlawn Cemetery   Alquippa; Beaver   Bedford County Memorial Park LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Gardens   Harrisburg; Dauphin   Woodlawn Memorial Gardens LLC


Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


Woodlawn Memorial Park   Allentown; Lehigh   Woodlawn Memorial Park Association
    Rhode Island    
Newport Cemetery   Middletown; Newport   Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC
Trinity Cemetery   Portsmouth; Newport   Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC
    Tennessee    
Lakewood Memory Gardens East   Chattanooga; Hamilton   Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC
Lakewood Memory Gardens West   Chattanooga; Hamilton   Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC
Hamilton Memorial Park   Hixson; Hamilton   Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC
    Virginia    
Allegheny Memorial Park   Covington; Alleghany   Alleghany Memorial Park LLC
Altavista Memorial Park   Altavista; Campbell   Altavista Memorial Park LLC
Augusta Memorial Park   Waynesboro; Augusta   Virginia Memorial Service LLC
Birchlawn Burial Park   Pearisburg; Giles   Birchlawn Burial Park LLC
Briarwood Memorial Garden   Amherst; Amherst   Stitham LLC

Crestview Memorial Park

(Plus adjacent parcel of 11 acres)

  LaCrosse; Mecklenburg   Covenant Acquisition LLC

Evergreen Memorial Gardens

(Plus 8 additional acres)

  Luray; Page   PVD Acquisitions LLC
Fort Hill Memorial Park   Lynchburg;   Stitham LLC
Henry Memorial Park   Bassett; Henry   Henry Memorial Park LLC
Hillcrest Memory Gardens   Jeffersonton; Culpepper   PVD Acquisitions LLC

Laurel Hill Memorial Park

Laurel Hill Funeral Home

  Spotsylvania; Spotsylvania   Laurel Hill Memorial Park LLC
Mount Rose Cemetery   Glade Spring; Washington   Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC
Northern Neck Memorial Gardens   Fredricksburg; Northumberland   Covenant Acquisition LLC
Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens   Staunton (Independent City); Augusta   Southern Memorial Sales LLC
Heide Memorial Pet Cemetery   Staunton (Independent City); Augusta   KIRIS LLC
Oak Hill Cemetery   Fredricksburg; Spotsylvania   Oak Hill Cemetery LLC
Old Dominion Memorial Park   Roanoke; Botetourt   Star City Memorial Sales LLC
Panorama Memorial Gardens   Strasburg; Warrent   PVD Acquisitions LLC


Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


Powell Valley Memorial Gardens   Big Stone Gap; Wise   Loewen [Virginia] LLC
Rockbridge Memorial Gardens (Plus adjacent parcel of 1.01 acres)   Lexington; Rockbridge   Rockbridge Memorial Gardens LLC
Roosevelt Memorial Park   Chesapeake   Cemetery Investments LLC
Roselawn Burial Park & Funeral Home   Martinsville   Roselawn Development LLC
Roselawn Cemetery   Marion; Smyth   Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC
Roselawn Memorial Gardens   Christiansburg; Montgomery   Loewen [Virginia] LLC

Rosewood Memorial Gardens

(Plus adjacent 8.04 acres)

  Rural Retreat; Wythe   Loewen [Virginia] LLC
Russell Memorial Cemetery   Lebanon; Russell   Russell Memorial Cemetery LLC
Shenandoah Memorial Park   Winchester; Frederick   Shenandoah Memorial Park LLC
Sunset Memorial Gardens   Fredricksburg; Spotsylvania   Sunset Memorial Gardens LLC
Temple Hill Memorial Park   Castlewood, Russell   Temple Hill LLC
Virginia Monument Company (This is the 0.727 acres adjacent to Roselawn Cemetery)   Marion; Smyth   Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC
Virginia Memorial Park   Forest; Bedford   Stitham LLC
    West Virginia    
Beverly Hills Cemetery   Westover; Monongalia   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Clendenin Memorial Park   Dunbar; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Evergreen Cemetery North/South   Parkersburg; Wood   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Fairview Memorial Gardens   Hamlin, Lincoln   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Floral Hills Garden of Memories   Sissonville; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Floral Hills Memorial Gardens   Mt. Clare; Harrison   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Forest Memorial Park   Milton; Cabell   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum   West Huntingdon; Cabell   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Grandview Memorial Park and Mausoleum (Plus additional 5.06 acres)   Dunbar; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC


Property*


 

State Locations/County


 

Property Owner


Grandview Memorial Gardens (Plus additional 21 acres)   Fairmount; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Greenbrier Burial Park   Greenbrier; Summers   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Guyan Memorial Gardens   Pecks Mill; Logan   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Halcyon Hills Memorial Gardens   Wheeling; Marshall   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Highland Hills Memorial Gardens   Follansbee; Brooke   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Highland Memory Gardens   Pecks Mill; Logan   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Jackson County Memory Gardens   Cottageville; Jackson   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Montgomery Memorial Park   London; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Palm Memorial Gardens   Matheny; Wyoming   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Parkview Memorial Gardens   Wheeling; Marshall   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Pineview Cemetery   Orgas; Boone   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Resthaven Memorial Park (Plus additional 0.71 acres)   Princeton; Mercer   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Restlawn Memorial Gardens   Bluefield; Mercer   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Restwood Memorial Gardens   Jumpin Branch District; Summers   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Shadow Lawn Memory Gardens   Newell; Hancock   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Spring Valley Memory Gardens (Plus adjacent 1.453 acres)   West Huntingdon; Wayne   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Sunset Memorial Park - S Charleston   South Charleston; Kanawha   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Sunset Memorial Park - Beckley   Beckley; Raleigh   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Valley View Memorial Park   Hurricane; Putnam   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
West Virginia Memorial Gardens   Calvin; Nicholas   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
White Chapel Memorial Gardens   Barboursville; Cabell   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Park   Bluefield; Mercer   Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC

 

* See Annex B to Security Agreement for addresses.


LEASED PROPERTIES

 

Leases as Landlord/Lessor

 

1. Lease Agreement dated May 25, 2000 between Bedford County Memorial Park, Inc., as landlord, and Crown Atlantic Company LLC, as tenant:

 

  Location : Mt. Royal Memorial Park, 2700 Mt. Royal Road, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania
  Use : Communications Cell tower
  Term : Five (5) years from May 25, 2000 with four (4) automatic five (5) year extensions and one (1) 4-year, 11 month extension

 

2. Oral Lease between Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc., as landlord, and Michael Shane, as tenant :

 

  Location : Mt. Airy Cemetery, 2800 Old Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of a house to Michael Shane
  Term : Month to month. Michael Shane is the superintendent of the cemetery

 

3. Lease dated April 10, 2001 between Voegtly Cemetery, as landlord, and The Lamar Companies, as tenant:

 

  Location : Voegtly Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  Use : Right to install a Billboard at the site
  Term : Five (5) years, expires March 14, 2006. Automatic renewal for an additional five (5) year term, thereafter automatic year to year renewals

 

4. Real Estate Lease dated January 1, 1996 between The Prospect Cemetery, as landlord, and Matthew Outdoor Advertising Acquisition Co. L.P.:

 

  Location : Prospect Cemetery, 501 East Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
  Use : Right to install a Billboard at the site
  Term : for five (5) years, with automatic renewal from year to year.


5. Funeral Home Lease between Bedford County Memorial Park, Inc., as landlord, and Matthew Arena Funeral Home, P.C., as tenant:

 

  Location : Mt. Royal Memorial Park, 2700 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease is for the funeral home constructed by Cornerstone
  Term : Ten (10) years from May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2011

 

6. Agreement with Bernard Stoecklein that allows Walter Stoecklein to utilize an area of the Lakewood Memorial Park at 943 Route 10, Cheswick, Pennsylvania as a pasture for his horse:

 

Agreement was part of the acquisition agreement when Loewen acquired the CMS West entities and expires in 2007.

 

7. License Agreement dated February 11, 2003 between PVD Acquisitions, Inc., as landlord, and The Church at Waterlick, as tenant:

 

  Location : Panorama Memorial Gardens, Strasburg, North River District, Warren County, Virginia
  Use : Revocable license for area approximately 200 feet by 1,227.5 feet for use for church functions.
  Term : for five (5) years, expiring February 11. 2008, unless terminated sooner.

 

8. Lease dated December 19, 2003 with Option to Purchase between Chartiers Cemetery Company, as landlord, and Pennsylvania-American Water Company, as tenant:

 

  Location : Chartiers Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease is for land for Tenant to construct and operate a pressure reducing valve station and a below grade meter vault (for municipal water service).
  Term : Ninety-nine (99) years from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2103 with one option to renew for ninety-nine (99) additional years, plus an option to purchase by Tenant at any time during the term.

 

Leases as Tenant/Lessee

 

1. Lease dated February 22, 2002 between Rittenhouse Circle Partners, L.P., as landlord, and Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as tenant:

 

  Location : Cornerstone Headquarters, 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania
  Use : Office building


  Term : Expires February 28, 2012

 

2. Agreement of Lease dated January 31, 1994 and First Amendment to Office Lease dated March 1999 between Corporate Plaza Associates, L.L.C. (as successor to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company), as landlord, and Osiris Management, Inc. (as successor to Shipper Management Group), as tenant:

 

  Location: Metropolitan Corporate Plaza, 485 Route One, Building B, Iselin, New Jersey
  Use : General office use
  Term : Expires May 31, 2004

 

3. Lease Agreement dated June 7, 1999 between Resun Leasing Incorporated, as lessor, and Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as lessee:

 

  Location : Westminster Cemetery, 1159 Newville Road, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of two (2) modular 12 by 44 foot trailer units
  Term : Month-to-month

 

4. Lease dated April 30, 2000 between 401 Pilgrim Associates, as landlord, and Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as tenant:

 

  Location: 401 Pilgrim Lane, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
  Use: Sales office
  Term: Four (4) years and four (4) months to expire October 1, 2004

 

5. Lease Agreement dated November 2, 2000 between Howard Fine, as landlord, and Glen Haven Memorial Park, Inc., as tenant:

 

  Location : Suites D and E, 7231 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Maryland .
  Use : General office
  Term : Expires January 31, 2003

 

6. Lease dated November 1, 1999 between BRIT Limited Partnership, as landlord, and Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., as tenant:

 

  Location : Suite 121, Building 1000, Century Plaza, 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland
  Use : General office
  Term : Expires October 31, 2000, was renewed for an additional one year period and lease provides for automatic one year renewals


7. Lease dated September 18, 1996 with GE Capital Modular Space (now presumably this is Resun Leasing Incorporated), as lessor:

 

  Location : Bethlehem Memorial Park, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of two 12 by 44 foot trailer units
  Term : Lease appears to be on a month to month basis with 60 days prior notice to terminate required

 

8. Lease dated August 6, 1997 with GE Capital Modular Space (now Resun Leasing Incorporated), as lessor:

 

  Location : Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Route 219, Boot Jack Road, Ridgway, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of two 12 by 64 foot trailer units
  Term : Lease appears to be on a month to month basis with 60 days prior notice to terminate required

 

9. Lease dated June 2, 1999 with Storage USA, as lessor:

 

  Location : Storage Unit #0070, 2900 Ford Road, Bristol, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of a 10 by 25 foot storage unit
  Term : Month to month

 

10. Lease dated January 26, 2000 between William B. Consolo, as landlord, and Crown Hill Cemetery, as tenant:

 

  Location : 2194 East Enterprise Road, Twinsburg, Ohio
  Use : Office and warehouse use
  Term : Three (3) years from the date which is ten days after substantial completion of the improvements (probably sometime in February 2003)

 

11. Lease dated May 8, 1998 with GE Capital Modular Space (now presumably this is Resun Leasing Incorporated), as lessor:

 

  Location : Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy, Pennsylvania
  Use : Lease of two 12 by 48 foot trailer units


  Term : Lease appears to be on a month to month basis with 60 days prior notice to terminate required

 

12. Oral Lease for warehouse space used to store caskets for the Roselawn Burial Park and Funeral Home which is located in Martinsville, Virginia .

 

13. Lease Agreement dated November 22, 2002 between Roger L. DeVille and Cornerstone Family Services, Inc.

 

  Location : Suite 109, Village Court East 3969 Convenience Circle, N.W., Canton, OH
  Use : Office Space, 3,348 Square Feet
  Term : Expires December 31, 2007


SCHEDULE IV

 

EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

 

Capitalized lease obligations/purchase money indebtedness specifically relating to the UCC filings listed on Schedule IX.

 

Approximately $2,367,000 in seller notes (see footnote 8 to consolidated financial statements included in Form S-1), all to be paid at or shortly after the Effective Date with proceeds of the Qualified IPO).

 


SCHEDULE V

 

PENSION PLANS

 

401K Retirement and Savings Plan – American Funds: offered to all employees who were not included in collectively bargained agreements.

 

Employees of the not-for-profit cemeteries listed below participate in a combined 401(k) plan named “Cemetery Association Plan” rather than the Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. 401(k) plan, with the exception of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery grounds employees who are collectively bargained and have pension benefit plans negotiated pursuant to a collectively bargained agreement:

 

Willowbrook Cemetery

395 N. Main Street

Westport, CT 06880

 

Beth Israel Cemetery

US Hwy 1

Woodbridge, NJ 07095

 

Cloverleaf Memorial Park

Gill Lane

Iselin, NJ 08830

 

Mt. Lebanon Cemetery

Routes 1 & 35

Woodbridge, NJ 07095

 

Locustwood Cemetery

1500 Route 70 West

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

 


SCHEDULE VI

 

EXISTING INVESTMENTS

 

Entity


  

Certificates of
Indebtedness
Issued


  

Holder of Certificates Outstanding


Beth Israel Cemetery Association of Woodbridge, New Jersey (non-profit association)    $22,510,730    StoneMor Operating LLC
Bethel Cemetery Association (non-profit association)    $240,556    Arlington Development Company
Clover Leaf Park Cemetery Association (non-profit association)    $325,625    StoneMor Operating LLC
Locustwood Cemetery Association (non-profit association)    $2,060,000    StoneMor Operating LLC
Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc.    $147,000    StoneMor Operating LLC

 


SCHEDULE VII

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

ALABAMA

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


The Valhalla Cemetery Company LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
The Valhalla Cemetery Subsidiary Corporation    100% - The Valhalla Cemetery Company LLC

 

CONNECTICUT

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Willow Brook Management Corp.    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

 

DELAWARE

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Henlopen Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Osiris Holding Finance Company    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Perpetual Gardens.Com, Inc.    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Cornerstone Family Insurance Services, Inc.    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park LLC
Cornerstone Funeral and Cremation Services LLC    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.    100% - Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.
Cemetery Management Services of Mid-Atlantic States, L.L.C.    100% - Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.
Cemetery Management Services of Ohio, L.L.C.    100% - Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.
Cemetery Management Services of Pennsylvania, L.L.C.    100% - Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.
Glen Haven Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Lorraine Park Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
WNCI LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

 


GEORGIA

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Lakewood Memory Gardens South LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Lakewood Memory Gardens South Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Lakewood Memory Gardens South LLC

 

MARYLAND

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Cedar Hill Funeral Home, Inc.    100% - Sunset Memorial Park, Inc.
Columbia Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Modern Park Development LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Springhill Memory Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Sunset Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Wicomico Memorial Parks LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Columbia Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Columbia Memorial Park LLC
Glen Haven Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Glen Haven Memorial Park LLC
Lorraine Park Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Lorraine Park Cemetery LLC
Modern Park Development Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Modern Park Development
Springhill Memory Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Springhill Memory Gardens LLC
Sunset Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Sunset Memorial Park LLC
W N C Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - WNCI LLC
Wicomico Memorial Parks Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Wicomico Memorial Parks LLC
Osiris Holding of Maryland Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC

 


NEW JERSEY

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Arlington Development Company    100% - Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey, Inc.
Osiris Management, Inc.    100% - Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia Subsidiary, Inc.
Bethel Cemetery Association    Owners of interment space have one vote for each grave, crypt and niche owned, and each owner of a certificate of indebtedness or certificate of interest has one vote for each $250 of value thereof. There are no other voting rights.
Clover Leaf Park Cemetery Association    Owners of interment space have one vote for each grave, crypt and niche owned, and each owner of a certificate of indebtedness or certificate of interest has one vote for each $250 of value thereof. There are no other voting rights.
Locustwood Cemetery Association    Owners of interment space have one vote for each grave, crypt and niche owned, and each owner of a certificate of indebtedness or certificate of interest has one vote for each $250 of value thereof. There are no other voting rights.
Beth Israel Cemetery Association of Woodbridge, New Jersey    Owners of interment space have one vote for each grave, crypt and niche owned, and each owner of a certificate of indebtedness or certificate of interest has one vote for each $250 of value thereof. There are no other voting rights.
Legacy Estates, Inc.    100% - Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey, Inc.
Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey, Inc.    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

 

NEW YORK

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Osiris Telemarketing Corp.    100% - Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia Subsidiary, Inc.

 


OHIO

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Butler County Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Butler County Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.    100% - Butler County Memorial Park LLC
Crown Hill Cemetery Association    Only the governing board of members has voting rights. Vacancies on the board are filled by vote of the remaining members.

 

PENNSYLVANIA

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
CMS West LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Green Lawn Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Juniata Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc.    100% - CMS West Subsidiary LLC
Laurelwood Holding Company    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Laurelwood Cemetery Company    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Melrose Land LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Riverview Memorial Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Rolling Green Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Tri-County Memorial Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
J.V. Walker LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Chartiers Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
The Prospect Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Tioga County Memorial Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Bedford County Memorial Park LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
The Coraopolis Cemetery Company    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc.    Only holders of certificates of indebtedness have voting rights.
Mount Lebanon Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Prospect Hill Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Riverside Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Westminster Cemetery LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Woodlawn Memorial Park Association    Only members (for which membership certificates are issued) have voting rights.
Woodlawn Memorial Gardens LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Morris Cemetery Perpetual Care Company    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

 


Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Bedford County Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Chartiers Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
CMS West Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Green Lawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
J.V. Walker Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Juniata Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Melrose Land Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Laurelwood Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Mount Lebanon Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Mt. Airy Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Prospect Hill Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Riverside Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Riverview Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
Rolling Green Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company
The Coraopolis Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - StoneMor Operating LLC
The Prospect Cemetery Subsidiary LLC    100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

 


Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Tioga County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

   100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

Tri-County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

   100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum Subsidiary LLC

   100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

Westminster Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

   100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Woodlawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

   100% - Laurelwood Holding Company

Mt. Airy Cemetery Parent LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

The Coraopolis Cemetery Parent LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Laurelwood Cemetery Parent LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Woodlawn Memorial Park Parent LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Osiris Holding of Rhode Island Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC

 

TENNESSEE

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC

 


VIRGINIA

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Allegheny Memorial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Altavista Memorial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Birchlawn Burial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Cemetery Investments LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Covenant Acquisition LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Henry Memorial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

KIRIS LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Laurel Hill Memorial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Loewen [Virginia] LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Oak Hill Cemetery LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

PVD Acquisitions LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Rockbridge Memorial Gardens LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Roselawn Development LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Russell Memorial Cemetery LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Shenandoah Memorial Park LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Southern Memorial Sales LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Star City Memorial Sales LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Stitham LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Sunset Memorial Gardens LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Temple Hill LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Virginia Memorial Service LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Augusta Memorial Park Perpetual Care Company

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Alleghany Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Alleghany Memorial Park LLC

Altavista Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Altavista Memorial Park LLC

Birchlawn Burial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Birchlawn Burial Park LLC

Cemetery Investments Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Cemetery Investments LLC

Covenant Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Covenant Acquisition LLC

Henry Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Henry Memorial Park LLC

KIRIS Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Laurel Hill Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Laurel Hill Memorial Park LLC

Loewen [Virginia] Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Loewen [Virginia] LLC

Oak Hill Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Oak Hill Cemetery LLC

PVD Acquisitions Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - PVD Acquisitions LLC

Rockbridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary Company

   100% - Rockbridge Memorial Gardens LLC

Rose Lawn Cemeteries Subsidiary, Incorporated

   100% - Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC

Roselawn Development Subsidiary Corporation

   100% - Roselawn Development LLC

Russell Memorial Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Russell Memorial Cemetery LLC

Shenandoah Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Shenandoah Memorial Park LLC

Southern Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Southern Memorial Sales LLC

 


Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Star City Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Star City Memorial Sales LLC

Stitham Subsidiary, Incorporated

   100% - Stitham LLC

Sunset Memorial Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Sunset Memorial Gardens LLC

Temple Hill Subsidiary Corporation

   100% - Temple Hill LLC

Virginia Memorial Service Subsidiary Corporation

   100% - Virginia Memorial Service LLC

 

WEST VIRGINIA

 

Entity


  

Ownership Of Equity Outstanding


Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC

   100% - StoneMor Operating LLC

Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia Subsidiary, Inc.

   100% - Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC

 


SCHEDULE VIII

 

INSURANCE

 

Directors, Officers and Private Company Liability Insurance Policy – American International Companies (National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pitts., Pa) - $25,000,000 Limit.

 

Directors, Officers and Private Company Liability Insurance Policy (to become effective upon date of initial public offering and continue in effect for one year):

 

Ace (Illinois National Insurance) - $10,000,000 Limit

Hartford - $10,000,000 Limit

Liberty International - $5,000,000 Limit

 

See attached summaries of insurance.

 


 

2004—2005

 

Schedule of Insurance

 

LOGO

 

LOGO    Aon Risk Services
    

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street

Suite 1000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 255-2000

(800) 545-4301

 


LOGO    2004–2005 Schedule of Insurance

 

Table of Contents

 

     Page

Property

   1

Boiler & Machinery

   3

General Liability

   4

Automobile

   5

Workers’ Compensation

   7

Umbrella

   8

Crime

   10

Fiduciary Liability

   11

Kidnap & Ransom

   12

 

LOGO    Aon Risk Services


LOGO    2004–2005 Schedule of Insurance

 

Property Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    Crum & Forster    Policy Number:         2441869497
Term:    1 Year                    Expiration Date:         03/31/05     
Premium:    $187,933     
Limits:    $25,000,000    Blanket Real & Personal Property (Including EDP) Business Income/Extra Expense
Sub-Limits:    $10,000,000    Flood—Per Occurrence/Aggregate
     1,000,000    Flood—Per Occurrence/Aggregate-FEMA Zones A & V
     10,000,000    Earthquake—Per Occurrence/Aggregate
     1,000,000    Newly Acquired Property (90 days)
     100,000    Miscellaneous Unscheduled or Unnamed Locations
     Blanket Limit    Personal Property of Employees
     Blanket Limit    Demolition and Increased Cost of Construction
     Blanket Limit    Outdoor Property (Excluding Growing Crops & Standing Timber))
     Blanket Limit    Accounts Receivable
     Blanket Limit    Fine Arts
     Blanket Limit    Transit
     Blanket Limit    Valuable Papers
     Blanket Limit    Service Interruption (Property Damage)
     Blanket Limit    Service Interruption (Business Income)
     Blanket Limit    Debris Removal
     30 Days    Civil Authority/Ingress Egress
     250,000    Pollution Clean-Up and Removal—Per Occurrence/Aggregate
Deductibles:    $15,000    All Property Coverages Combined
     50,000    Vandalism, Theft or Burglary
     2%    Named Windstorm—Tier 1 Counties & Florida. The deductible is Per Building Involved Subject to a $100,000 Minimum
     25,000    Flood & Earthquake
     100,000    Flood - FEMA Zones A & V
Coverages:   

•      All Risk Property Form, (Subject to Policy Exclusions) Including Flood & Earthquake

    

•      EDP Mechanical Breakdown

    

•      Back-Up of Sewers & Drains Included as an Insured Peril

    

•      Underground Water Seepage Included as an Insured Peril

 

LOGO    Aon Risk Services


LOGO    2004–2005 Schedule of Insurance

 

   

•      Insured Property Defined to Include Foundations Below the Lowest Basement Floor or Below Ground Level if There is no Basement, Underground Pipes & Flues and Cost of Excavation, Grading or Filling.

   

•      Control of Damaged Merchandise

   

•      Consequential Loss

   

•      Joint Loss Agreement with Boiler & Machinery Policy

   

•      Real, Personal Property & EDP—Values Reported at 100%

   

•      Replacement Cost

   

•      Cost to Recreate Data/ Media & Valuable Papers

   

•      Finished Stock/Merchandise For Sale—Selling Price

   

•      Agreed Amount—Property Damage

   

•      Business Income/Extra Expense—Values Reported at 100%

   

•      Actual Loss Sustained—Business Income/Extra Expense

   

•      Agreed Amount—Business Income/Extra Expense

   

•      Expediting Expense

   

•      Excludes Electronic Vandalism

   

•      Excludes Losses Related to Y2K

   

•      Excludes Terrorism, Except Fire Following in Certain States

   

•      Excludes Mold

   

•      90 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

LOGO    Aon Risk Services


LOGO    2004–2005 Schedule of Insurance

 

Boiler & Machinery Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:   

Continental Casualty (CNA)

 

Policy Number:           BM1098741473

Term:   

1 Year

   Expiration Date:         03/31/05             
Premium:    $8,000     
Limits:    $20,000,000    Property Damage & Business Income/Extra Expense
Sub-Limits:    Blanket Limit    Newly Acquired Property (365 Days)
     250,000    Computer Controlled Equipment
     $500,000    Demolition & Increased Cost of Construction
     Blanket Limit    Water Damage
     500,000    Expediting Expense
     Blanket Limit    Service Interruption
     Blanket Limit    Ammonia Contamination
     500,000    Hazardous Substance
Deductible:    $5,000    All Coverages Combined
Coverages:   

•      Comprehensive

    

•      In Use or Connected & Ready for Use

    

•      Joint Loss Agreement With Property Policy

    

•      Replacement Cost

    

•      Debris Removal

    

•      Excludes Losses Related to Y2K

    

•      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 15 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

LOGO    Aon Risk Services


LOGO    2004–2005 Schedule of Insurance

 

Commercial General Liability Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:   

Twin City (Hartford)

 

Policy Number:           39ECSMF4273

Term:   

1 Year

   Expiration Date:         03/31/05           
Premium:    $290,000     
Limits:    $1,000,000    Per Occurrence—Bodily Injury & Property Damage
     4,000,000    General Aggregate Limit (Other Than Products & Completed Operations)
     2,000,000    Products & Completed Operations Aggregate
     1,000,000    Personal Injury Liability
     1,000,000    Advertising Injury Liability
     1,000,000    Fire Damage Legal Liability
     10,000    Medical Expense Limit—Any One Person
     1,000,000    Employee Benefits Liability—Per Occurrence
     1,000,000    Employee Benefits Liability—Aggregate
     1,000,000    Errors & Omissions—Per Occurrence
     1,000,000    Errors & Omissions—Aggregate
     1,000,000    Mortician’s or Cemetery Liability-Aggregate
Retentions:    $25,000    All Coverages Indicated Above
     10,000    Per Claim—Employee Benefits Liability (3/31/00 Retroactive Date)
Coverages:   

•      Automatic Coverage for Newly Acquired Organizations (180 Days)

    

•      Broad From Named Insured

    

•      Definition of Bodily Injury to Include Mental Anguish

    

•      Extended Bodily Injury

    

•      Contractual Liability (Oral or Written)

    

•      Broad Form Property Damage

    

•      Host Liquor Liability

    

•      Non-Owned Watercraft (Under 51 feet)

    

•      Vendors Endorsement

    

•      Per Location Aggregate (Premises Operations Only)

    

•      Blanket Additional Insured Where Required by Contract or Agreement

    

•      Waiver of Subrogation, Where Required by Contract or Agreement

    

•      Knowledge of Occurrence

    

•      Notice of Occurrence

 

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•      Unintentional Errors & Omissions

    

•      Limited Worldwide Coverage

    

•      Excludes Employment Related Practices

    

•      Excludes Losses Related to Y2K

    

•      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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Automobile Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    Hartford Insurance    Policy Number:      39 UEN MF4275
Term:   

1 Year

   Expiration Date:    03/31/05
Premium:   

$184,646

         

 

               Covered Auto Symbols
Limits:    $1,000,000    Combined Single Limit
Bodily Injury & Property Damage
   1
     Statutory    Personal Injury Protection    5
     1,000,000    Non-Owned & Hired Car Coverage    8, 9
     1,000,000    Uninsured Motorist-Non-Stacked    2
     1,000,000    Underinsured Motorist-Non-Stacked    2
     10,000    Medical Payments    5
Sub-Limits:    $30    Per Day—Rental Reimbursement
($900 Maximum)
   3
     50,000    Hired Car Physical Damage    8
Deductibles:    $2,500    Deductible—Comprehensive & Collision
(Trucks—Per Schedule on File)
   2, 8
     1,000    Deductible—Comprehensive & Collision
(Private Passenger— Per Schedule on File)
   2, 8
Coverages:   

•      Broad Form Named Insured

    

•      Employees as Insureds

    

•      Fellow Employee Exclusion Deleted

    

•      Drive Other Car Coverage

    

•      Pollution Coverage—ISO Wording (Vehicle Collision or Overturn)

    

•      Lessors as Additional Insured/Loss Payee Where Required by Contract or Agreement

    

•      Waiver of Subrogation Where Required by Contract or Agreement

    

•      Knowledge of Occurrence

    

•      Notice of Occurrence

    

•      Unintentional Errors & Omissions

 

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•      Composite Rate Endorsement

    

•      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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Definition of Covered Automobile Symbols

 

#


  

Definition


1

   Any Automobile

2

   All Owned Automobiles

3

   Owned Private Passenger Automobiles

4

   Owned Automobiles Other Than Private Passenger

5

   All Owned Automobile Which Require No-Fault Coverage

6

   Owned Automobiles Subject to Compulsory Uninsured Law

7

   Automobiles Specified on Schedule

8

   Hired Automobiles

9

   Non-Owned Automobiles

 

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Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Limits & Coverages

 

Carrier:   

PMA

   Policy Number:      200300-12-36-43-9
Term:   

1 Year

   Expiration Date:    03/31/05
Premium:    $807,205          
Assessments:    Included          
Limits:    Statutory    Coverage A—Workers’ Compensation     
          Coverage B—Employers Liability     
     $1,000,000    Each Accident     
     1,000,000    Disease—Policy Limit     
     1,000,000    Disease—Each Employee     
     1,000,000    Stop Gap Bodily Injury by Accident     
     1,000,000    Stop Gap Liability—Aggregate Limit     
     1,000,000    Stop Gap Injury by Disease—Each Employee     
     25,000    Repatriation Expanse     
Coverages:   

•      Statutory Coverage

    
    

•      Employers Liability

    
    

•      Broad Form All States Endorsement

    
    

•      Endemic Disease

    
    

•      Foreign Coverage

    
    

•      Stop Gap Coverage For Monopolistic States

    
    

•      USL&H Endorsement on an If Any Basis

    
    

•      Voluntary Compensation

    
    

•      Knowledge of Occurrence

    
    

•      Notice of Occurrence

    
    

•      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

    

 

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Umbrella Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    American Guarantee (Zurich)    Policy Number:         AUC 9373284 01
Term:    1 Year    Expiration Date:        03/31/05
Premium:    $155,944                    
Limits:    $25,000,000    Per Occurrence
     25,000,000    Aggregate
Retentions:    None    For Claims Not Covered by Underlying Policies
     $1,000,000    Pollution Coverage—Named Peril Basis
                   

C OVERAGE   IS  E XCESS   OF  T HE  F OLLOWING

U NDERLYING P OLICIES

                         General Liability
     Insurance Company:    Twin City (Hartford)     
     Policy Number    : 39ECSMF4273     
     Policy Period:    3/31/03–3/31/04     
     $1,000,000    Per Occurrence—Bodily Injury & Property Damage
     4,000,000    General Aggregate Limit
(Other Than Products & Completed Operations)
     2,000,000    Products & Completed Operations Aggregate
     1,000,000    Personal Injury Liability
     1,000,000    Advertising Injury Liability
     1,000,000    Employee Benefits Liability—Per Occurrence
     1,000,000    Employee Benefits Liability—Aggregate
     1,000,000    Errors & Omissions—Per Occurrence
     1,000,000    Errors & Omissions—Aggregate
                         Automobile Liability
     Insurance Company:    Hartford     
     Policy Number:    39UENMF4275     
     Policy Period:    3/31/03–3/31/04     
     $1,000,000    Combined Single Limit—Bodily Injury & Property Damage
                         Employers Liability

 

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         Insurance Company:    PMA     
         Policy Number    200300-12-36-43-9     
         Policy Period:    3/31/03–3/31/04     
         $1,000,000    Each Accident
         1,000,000    Disease—Policy Limit
         1,000,000    Disease—Each Employee
Coverages:    •      Pay on Behalf
     •      Defense in Addition to Limits
     •      Excludes Real & Personal Property in Your Care, Custody or Control
     •      Pollution Coverage—Named Peril Basis
     •      Asbestos, Lead & Nuclear Exclusions (Coverage A & B)
     •      Absolute Pollution Exclusion—Except Hostile Fire (Coverage A & B)
     •      Excludes Employment Related Practices
     •      Excludes Losses Related to Y2K
     •      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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Crime Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    Zurich    Policy Number:         FID 361050402
Term:    1 Year    Expiration Date:        03/31/05
Premium:    $5,500                    
Limits:    $1,000,000    Employee Theft
     1,000,000    Money & Securities (On/Off Premises)
     1,000,000    Forgery & Alteration
     1,000,000    Robbery & Safe Burglary
     1,000,000    Computer Fraud
     1,000,000    Money Orders & Counterfeit Currency
     1,000,000    Credit Card Forgery
Deductibles:    $25,000    All Coverages Indicated Above
     1,000    Money orders & Counterfeit Currency & Credit Card Forgery
Coverages:    •      ERISA Compliance
     •      Broad Definition of Employee
     •      Territory—Anywhere in the World
     •      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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Employee Benefit Plan Fiduciary Liability Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, PA (AIG)    Policy Number:    363-11-27
Term:    1 Year    Expiration Date:    03/31/05
Premium:    $12,500               
Limits:    $5,000,000    Per Occurrence          
     5,000,000    Aggregate          
Retention:    $10,000    Per Claim          
Coverages:   

•      Claims Made Policy Covering Wrongful Acts Committed by the Insured Relating to the Administration of Benefit Programs

    

•      Imprudent Investment or Lack of Investment Diversity

    

•      Imprudent Choice of Third-Party Providers

    

•      Worldwide Territory

    

•      Bilateral Extended Reporting Period available in the event of cancellation by either party

    

•      Extended Reporting Period—75% of Annual Premium for One Year

    

•      Continuity Date—3/17/99

    

•      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 15 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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Kidnap & Ransom Limits and Coverages

 

Carrier:    Liberty Mutual    Policy Number:    182757014
Term:    1 Year    Expiration Date:    03/31/05
Premium:    $3,250               
Limit:    $1,000,000    Per Occurrence          
Sub-Limits:    $100,000    Accidental Death & Dismemberment—Per Person          
     500,000    Accidental Death & Dismemberment—Aggregate          
Deductible:    None    All Coverages Insured          
Coverages:    •      Coverage Triggered by Date of Ransom Demand
     •      Kidnap & Ransom
     •      Extortion Bodily Injury
     •      Detention
     •      Extortion Property Damage
     •      Coverage Provision for Directors, Officers and Employees
     •      Include Guests of the “Insured” in Automobiles, Aircraft, Railroad Car, or Watercraft of the “Insured”
     •      Legal/Medical Expenses Related to Kidnap
     •      Reward Monies Paid by Insured
     •      Reasonable Fees & Expenses Including Travel Expenses
     •      Salaries of Insured While Being Held For Ransom
     •      Fees For Public Relations & Communications
     •      60 Day Notice of Cancellation or Non-Renewal Except 10 Days for Non-Payment of Premium

 

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SCHEDULE IX

 

EXISTING LIENS

 

Judgments and Tax Liens

 

1. Against Bedford County Memorial Park, filed in Bucks County, Prothy on 10/20/01 in the amount of $37,084.

 

2. Against Rockbridge Memorial Gardens Company, filed in Rockbridge County on 7/14/92 in favor of J. Morton for wages in the amount of $705.37.

 

3. Against Crestview Memorial Park (n/k/a Bedford County Memorial Park), filed in Bucks County, Prothy on 9/28/01 in favor of Pa. Department of Revenue in the amount of $22,742.

 

UCC filings in respect of capitalized leases of specific equipment from the following entities: Canon Financial Services, Inc.; New Holland Credit Company; US Bancorp; Security Ford New Holland, Inc.; Deere & Co.; Downingtown National Bank; and First Commonwealth Bank.

 

UCC filings covering specific pre-assembled mausoleums supplied by Cold Spring Granite Company.

 


 

SCHEDULE X

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

1. Partnership Common Units issuable pursuant to Article V of the Partnership Agreement, including without limitation upon exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters, upon conversion of Partnership Subordinated Units, pursuant to the limited preemptive rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates and pursuant to employee benefit plans of any Credit Party.

 

2. The limited call right of the General Partner pursuant to Article XV of the Partnership Agreement.

 


 

SCHEDULE XI

 

LITIGATION *

 

Connecticut

 

Willowbrook Management Corp. Investigatory subpoena from Connecticut Attorney General’s office requesting information regarding the relationship between Willowbrook Management Corp. and Willowbrook Cemetery.

 

Georgia

 

1. George L. Parsly. Petition seeking disinterment.

 

2. Nicholson v. Lakewood Memory Gardens. Claim arising out of disinterment, autopsy and burial of plaintiff’s son.

 

Maryland

 

Melissa Adolphson v. Glen Haven Memorial Park. Claim for damages for personal injuries as a result of sitting and falling on a defective bench.

 

New Jersey

 

1. Schimberg v. Beth Israel. Claim arising out of wrongful burial of decedent.

 

2. Mary Young v. Beth Israel . Claim arising out of slip and fall.

 

Ohio

 

Charles Garcia v. Butler County Memorial Park and James Conrad. Plaintiff filed workers’ compensation claim with Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation which was ultimately denied. He has now filed suit in Court of Common Pleas of Butler County against cemetery/employer and Administrator of Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation requesting right to continue to participate in the Ohio Workers’ Compensation Fund for his lower back injury sustained on July 31, 2001.

 


Pennsylvania

 

1. Edith Miller v. Prospect Cemetery . Letter from attorney for Edith Miller demanding $5,000.00 for the allegedly insensitive and negligent handling of the burial of Mrs. Miller’s husband. Mrs. Miller filed suit in June 1999, but there has been no activity on this matter since October 2002.

 

Pennsylvania Funeral Board v. Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. Investigative subpoena requesting statements of Funeral Goods and Services, Cremation authorizations, pre-need burial contact and record of institutions holding any pre-need funds.

 

Michelle Garnon v. Cornerstone Family Services . Claim for emotional distress arising out of work related injury.

 

Mary A. Seifert v. Jeffrey Kuntz, Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. and Pinewood Memorial Park, Inc. Alleged damages arising out of an automobile accident.

 

Maria Caiaccia v. Mount Royal Cemetery. Notice of Charge of Age Discrimination filed with the Pittsburgh Area EEOC on March 7, 2003. This matter had been dismissed at the administrative level. Plaintiff has initiated suit.

 

McCauley v. Bedford County Memorial Park. Complaint alleging breach of contract and negligence in the construction of a monument.

 

Virginia V. Pardee v. Cornerstone Family Services, d/b/a Roselawn Memorial Park et al. Litigation arising out of burial in incorrect graves. Matter is related to Battersby below.

 

Jack N. Battersby v. Cornerstone Family Services, d/b/a Roselawn Memorial Park et al. Litigation arising out of burial in incorrect graves. Matter is related to Pardee matter above.

 

Loewen State Tax Claim. Alderwoods Group (formerly The Loewen Group) has advised Cornerstone that it has settled certain Federal tax claims related to the Loewen consolidated group. These claims pertain to periods during which Loewen owned certain Cornerstone subsidiaries. The effect of this settlement may be to require that Cornerstone on behalf of the relevant subsidiaries file amended state tax returns. Cornerstone is without sufficient information to evaluate this potential state tax exposure and has requested further information and clarification from Loewen. Cornerstone believes that, in negotiating the Federal tax settlement, Alderwoods either exceeded its authority or violated duties with regard to the Cornerstone subsidiaries. It is therefore Cornerstone’s position that Alderwoods is liable for any amounts determined to be owed to state taxing authorities as a result of the Loewen’s Federal tax settlement. Cornerstone is attempting through legal counsel to amicably resolve this matter.

 

Anthony and Janet Trapuzzano, Jr. v. South Side Cemetery, et al., Complaint alleging breach of contract pertaining to representations made by agent when selling plots, property damage and emotional/personal injury.

 


Ebersole v. CMS West. Ebersole was an employee of Forest Hills Cemetery Association. In 1986, Ebersole entered into an agreement which provided for certain payments to him for life. CMS West is alleged to have guaranteed the agreement. Ebersole seeks to enforce the guaranty.

 

Virginia

 

1. Leona Sue Dillman v. Rosewood Memorial Gardens . Complaint alleging that Kermit Madison Dillman (former husband to the Petitioner) was buried in an incorrect grave site. Petitioner is prepared to pay reasonable costs for exhumation of the body, to pay all costs related to DNA tests, and to ask the Court for assessment of the costs and other relief that the Court may deem appropriate. Plaintiff seeks an order permitting the exhumation of her husband’s remains and thereby confirm that he has been buried in the family plot.

 

2. Downs v. Oak Lawn. Claim arises out of the reopening and disinterest of the grave of plaintiff’s son. During the reopening, the vault was crushed when the backhoe being used to remove it, fell on the vault as a result of a cable sling snapping. Plaintiff has demanded $1.5M. Matter has been dismissed as of February 2004 with opportunity to re-file through August 2004.

 

3. Delores A. Toombs and Mark B. Toombs v. Cornerstone Family Services, et al. Claim involving a breach of contract related to funeral and burial services for minor child.

 

West Virginia

 

1. Kimberly A. Harris, et al. v. Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. Claim by current employees for commissions that they allege have been wrongfully withheld.

 

2. Gloria J. Moon v. Cornerstone Family Services. Notice of Discrimination with State of West Virginia Human Rights and EEOC for age discrimination and wrongful termination, filed January 16, 2002. Marsh, USA notified by facsimile 2/4/02.

 

The West Virginia Human Rights Commission found no probable cause and a closing order was entered in August 2002. Complainant has up to two years to bring litigation.

 

3. Hanson v. Cornerstone Family Services. Summons and Complaint filed in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia for alleged negligent practices in connection with the disinternment and reinternment of Paulina Hanson, wife and mother of the Plaintiffs, filed October 10, 2002.

 

4. Patricia Courtney v. Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia, Inc., et al. Amended Complaint alleges breach of contract and false, misleading and deceptive business practices with regard to quality of the casket, pre-need protections and incomplete Retail Installment and Security Agreement.

 


5. Johnnie Mounts Ferritto v. Cornerstone Family Services (Highland Memory Gardens).

 

Summons and Complaint dated August 29, 2003 and filed in Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia for alleged negligent actions in upkeep of the premises and duty of care.

 

6. Edna Napier v. Bernie Ellis and The West Virginia Department of Transportation and Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia d/b/a Highland Memory Gardens, Inc. and Guyan Memorial Gardens, Inc. Complaint (Amended) filed in Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia. Real estate dispute involving implied right of way.

 

* These matters are listed for disclosure purposes only. The Credit Parties represent and warrant that none of these matters if adversely determined could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.”

 

SCHEDULE XII

 

APPRAISED PROPERTIES

 

Roosevelt Memorial Park   Washington National Cemetery
Chesapeake, Virginia   Suitland, Maryland
Cumberland Valley   Lincoln Memorial
Carlisle, Pennsylvania   Suitland, Maryland
Mt. Lebanon Cemetery   Crown Hill Cemetery
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania   Twinsburg, Ohio
Sunset Memorial Park   Allegheny County Memorial
Fredericksburg, Virginia   Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Cedar Hill Cemetery   Beth Israel Cemetery
Suitland, Maryland   Woodbridge, New Jersey

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE AND

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

 


 

INDEX

 

Article I Definitions; Schedules; Recordation

   8

1.1

  

Definitions

   8

1.2

  

Schedules

   13

1.3

  

Recordation of Evidence of Ownership of Assets

   15

Article II Concurrent Transactions

   15

2.1

   Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the OLP of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes, the NJ NQ Sub Stock, and the Miscellaneous Companies Stock    15

2.2

  

Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the GP of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest

   15

2.3

  

Contribution and Conveyance by the GP to the MLP of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest

   16

2.4

  

Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the MLP of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests

   16

2.5

  

Public Cash Contribution

   16

2.6

  

MLP Receipt of Cash Contribution

   16

2.7

  

Contribution of Cash by the MLP to the OLP

   16

2.8

  

Borrowing by Distribution NQ Subs and Payment of Sub Notes

   16

2.9

  

Distribution of Sub Note Payment Proceeds to the OLP by the Parent Cemetery LLCs

   17

2.10

   Payment of Debt Offering Costs and CFSI LLC Indebtedness from the Net Debt Proceeds and the Sub Note Payment Proceeds    17

2.11

  

Specific Conveyances

   17

Article III Assumption of Certain Liabilities

   17

3.1

  

Assumption of Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities by the OLP

   17

3.2

  

Assumption of the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness by the OLP

   17

3.3

  

Assumption of the CFSI LLC OLP Partial Interest Liabilities by the GP

   18

3.4

  

Assumption of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities by the MLP

   18

3.5

  

Assumption of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities by the MLP

   18

3.6

  

General Provisions Relating to Assumption of Liabilities

   19

Article IV Further Assurances

   19

4.1

  

Further Assurances

   19

4.2

  

Other Assurances

   19

Article V Power of Attorney

   20

5.1

  

Contributing Parties

   20

Article VI Miscellaneous

   21

6.1

  

Order of Completion of Transactions

   21

6.2

  

Consents; Restriction on Assignment

   21

6.3

  

Costs

   21

6.4

  

Headings; References; Interpretation

   22

6.5

  

Successors and Assigns

   22

 

i


6.6

  

No Third Party Rights

   22

6.7

  

Counterparts

   22

6.8

  

Governing Law

   22

6.9

  

Severability

   22

6.10

  

Bill of Sale; Assignment

   23

6.11

  

Amendment or Modification

   23

6.12

  

Integration

   23

 

ii


 

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 20, 2004, is entered into by and among StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ MLP ”); StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ GP ”); CFSI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ CFSI LLC ”) and formerly known as Cornerstone Family Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ CFSI ”); and StoneMor Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ OLP ”). The foregoing shall be referred to individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Cornerstone Family Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Shareholder ”), and GP have formed the MLP pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware Limited Partnership Act ”), for the purpose of acquiring, owning and operating certain cemeteries and certain related assets of CFSI, its subsidiaries and certain of its affiliates;

 

WHEREAS, in order to accomplish the objectives and purposes in the preceding recital, the following actions have been taken prior to the date hereof:

 

  A. Formation of the MLP Entities :

 

  1. The Shareholder, the principal common shareholder of CFSI, has formed the GP under the terms of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”), and contributed $100 in exchange for all of the membership interests in the GP.

 

  2. The GP and the Shareholder have formed the MLP, under the terms of the Delaware Limited Partnership Act, to which the GP contributed $20.00 and the Shareholder contributed $980.00 in exchange for a 2% general partner interest and a 98% limited partner interest, respectively, in the MLP.

 

  3. CFSI formed the OLP under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000.00 in exchange for all of the membership interests in the OLP.

 

  4. The Shareholder sold to CFSI all of the membership interests in the GP owned by the Shareholder (being 100% of the membership interests) and all of the limited partner interests in the MLP owned by the Shareholder (being 100% of the limited partner interests) for $100 and $980, respectively.

 

  B. Formation of Asset Entities :

 

  1. [Omitted]

 

  2.

CFSI formed each of the corporations listed on Schedule B2 under the respective laws of the jurisdictions listed on such schedule (each an “ NQ Sub ”), to each of which CFSI contributed $200 in exchange for all of the capital stock of each such

 

1


 

corporation. Each NQ Sub was formed to hold title to certain NQ Assets, as hereinafter defined, owned by a first or second tier subsidiary of CFSI directly owning a cemetery (each a “ Cemetery Sub ”) in any State other than Pennsylvania.

 

  3. Each NQ Sub formed under the laws of Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia formed a limited liability company, all of which are listed on Schedule B3 , under the respective laws of the jurisdictions listed on such schedule (each a “ Cemetery LLC and collectively, the “ Cemetery LLCs ”), to which each of the respective NQ Subs contributed $100 in exchange for all of the membership interests in the respective Cemetery LLCs. Each Cemetery LLC was formed to hold title to certain QI Assets, as hereinafter defined.

 

  4. (a) Each Cemetery Sub formed under the laws of Pennsylvania (collectively, the “ PA Cemetery Subs ”) formed a limited liability company under the laws of Pennsylvania (each a “ PA Cemetery LLC ”), all of which limited liability companies are listed on Schedule B4(a) , to which it contributed $100 in exchange for all of the membership interests in the respective PA Cemetery LLC; and (b) each PA Cemetery LLC formed a limited liability company under the laws of Pennsylvania (each an “ NQ LLC ”), all of which limited liability companies are listed on Schedule B4(b) , to which each of the respective PA Cemetery LLCs contributed $100 in exchange for all of the membership interests in the respective NQ LLCs. Each NQ LLC was formed to hold title to certain NQ Assets.

 

  C. Reorganization of Pennsylvania Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. CFSI contributed to Laurelwood Holding Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (“ Laurelwood ”), the following: (a) the capital stock of all of the PA Cemetery Subs listed on Schedule C3 except for Bedford County Memorial Park, Inc., Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Inc. and Mount Lebanon Cemetery Company; (b) the dividend notes listed on Schedule C1(b) (collectively, the CFSI/Laurelwood Notes ”); (c) the capital stock of Willowbrook Management Corporation; and (d) the receivables listed on Schedule C1(d) (collectively, the “ CFSI/Laurelwood Receivables ”).

 

  2. Laurelwood contributed the CFSI/Laurelwood Notes and the CFSI/Laurelwood Receivables to the respective obligors of the CFSI/Laurelwood Notes and the CFSI/Laurelwood Receivables.

 

  3. Each PA Cemetery Sub (20 Pennsylvania corporations including Bedford County Memorial Park, Inc., Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Inc. and Mount Lebanon Cemetery Company) merged into its respective PA Cemetery LLC as shown on Schedule C3 (collectively, the “ Second Tier Mergers ”).

 

  4. Each PA Cemetery LLC conveyed its NQ Assets, including the capital stock of Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc., to its respective Pennsylvania NQ LLC.

 

  5.

(a) CMS West Parent LLC, the PA Cemetery LLC that survived the merger with CMS West Inc., distributed to Laurelwood its interest in Bedford County

 

2


 

Memorial Park Parent LLC, Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Parent LLC and Mount Lebanon Cemetery Parent LLC, three PA Cemetery LLCs, that resulted from the Second Tier Mergers, together with the ownership interests in two nonprofit entities, The Coraopolis Cemetery Company and Woodlawn Memorial Park Association; and (b) each PA Cemetery LLC then owned by Laurelwood distributed to Laurelwood all of its interest in its respective NQ LLC formed under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, as shown on Schedule C5(b) .

 

  6. Laurelwood distributed to CFSI all of the membership interests owned by it in all of the PA Cemetery LLCs (i.e. 20 PA Cemetery LLCs).

 

  D. Reorganization of Delaware Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. CFSI contributed to Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc., the NQ Sub formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ DE NQ Sub ”), all of the capital stock and membership interests in the four Delaware corporate subsidiaries and the two Delaware limited liability companies, respectively, listed on Schedule D1 , together with the receivables and dividend notes listed on such schedule.

 

  2. Henlopen Memorial Park, Inc. (“ Henlopen ”) filed a certificate of conversion under Section 266 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ Delaware Corporation Law” ) and converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company named Henlopen Memorial Park LLC (the “ DE Cemetery LLC ”).

 

  3. The DE Cemetery LLC distributed to the DE NQ Sub all of the NQ Assets owned by it.

 

  4. The DE NQ Sub distributed to CFSI all of the membership interests in the DE Cemetery LLC.

 

  5. CFSI contributed to the DE Cemetery LLC all of the capital stock of the DE NQ Sub.

 

  E. Reorganization of Maryland Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. CFSI contributed to each of the respective NQ Subs formed under the laws of the State of Maryland (collectively, the “ MD NQ Subs ”) all of the capital stock of the nine Cemetery Subs formed under the laws of the State of Maryland (collectively, the “ MD Cemetery Subs ” and individually, an “ MD Cemetery Sub ”) together with the receivables listed on Schedule E1 .

 

  2.

(a) The MD Cemetery Subs listed on Schedule E2(a) merged into their respective Cemetery LLCs formed under the laws of the State of Maryland (collectively, the “ MD Cemetery LLCs ” and individually, an “ MD Cemetery LLC ”); (b) the MD Cemetery Subs listed on Schedule E2(b) merged into their respective Delaware corporations formed under the laws of the State of Delaware; and (c) each of the

 

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Delaware corporations listed on Schedule E2(b) converted into a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware as shown on Schedule E2(c) .

 

  3. Each MD Cemetery LLC distributed all of its NQ Assets to its respective parent MD NQ Sub, including the capital stock of Cedar Hill Funeral Home, Inc.

 

  4. Each of the MD NQ Subs distributed to CFSI all of its membership interests in its respective MD Cemetery LLC, as described on Schedule E4 .

 

  5. CFSI contributed to each of the respective MD Cemetery LLCs all of the capital stock owned by CFSI in each of the respective MD NQ Subs, as shown on Schedule E5 .

 

  F. Reorganization of New Jersey Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. CFSI contributed to the NQ Sub formed under the laws of the State of New Jersey (the “ NJ NQ Sub ”) all of the capital stock of Arlington Development Company and Legacy Estates, Inc. together with the receivables listed on Schedule FI .

 

  G. Reorganization of Virginia Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. PMSI, Inc. merged into Southern Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc. (the “ PMSI NQ Sub ”).

 

  2. CFSI contributed to each of the respective NQ Subs formed under the laws of the State of Virginia (collectively, the “ VA NQ Subs ” and individually, a “ VA NQ Sub ”) all of the capital stock of the 20 Cemetery Subs formed under the laws of the State of Virginia (collectively, the “ VA Cemetery Subs ”) (which did not include the PMSI NQ Sub) owned by CFSI together with certain receivables, all such VA Cemetery Subs and such receivables being listed on Schedule G2 .

 

  3. All such 20 VA Cemetery Subs and Southern Memorial Sales, Inc. (“ Southern ”) and Kiris, Inc. (“ Kiris ”) converted into limited liability companies under the laws of the State of Virginia (collectively, the “ VA Cemetery LLCs ”), which VA Cemetery LLCs are listed on Schedule G3 .

 

  4. Each VA Cemetery LLC distributed its NQ Assets to its respective parent VA NQ Sub or, in the case of Southern and Kiris, to the PMSI NQ Sub.

 

  5. Each VA NQ Sub and the PMSI NQ Sub distributed to CFSI all of their membership interests in their respective VA Cemetery LLCs, as set forth on Schedule G5 .

 

  6. CFSI contributed all of the capital stock of each VA NQ Sub to its respective VA Cemetery LLC, as set forth on Schedule G6 .

 

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  H. Reorganization of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia Subsidiaries of CFSI :

 

  1. (a) CFSI contributed to the respective NQ Subs formed under the respective laws of the States of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia (i) all of the capital stock owned by CFSI of each of the Cemetery Subs formed under the respective laws of the States of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia (collectively, the “ Multi-State Cemetery Subs ”), and (ii) certain receivables and dividend notes; and (b) CFSI contributed to the NQ Sub formed under the laws of West Virginia all of the capital stock owned by CFSI in Osiris Telemarketing Corporation and Osiris Management Inc., all as listed on Schedule H1 .

 

  2. Each of the Multi-State Cemetery Subs converted or merged into a limited liability company (collectively, the “ Multi-State Cemetery LLCs ”) under the laws of its respective jurisdiction, as listed on Schedule H2 .

 

  3. Each of the Multi-State Cemetery LLCs distributed its NQ Assets to its parent NQ Sub (collectively, the “ Multi-State NQ Subs ”), as listed on Schedule H3 .

 

  4. Each of the Multi-State NQ Subs distributed to CFSI all of the membership interests owned by it in the respective Multi-State Cemetery LLCs, as listed on Schedule H4 .

 

  5. CFSI contributed to each Multi-State Cemetery LLC all of the capital stock owned by CFSI in each Multi-State NQ Sub, as listed on Schedule H5 .

 

  I. NQ Sub Distributions and Conversion of CFSI :

 

  1. Certain NQ Subs (the “ Distribution NQ Subs ”) and/or Laurelwood distributed promissory notes (each a “ Sub Note ” and collectively, the “ Sub Notes ”) to, and payable to, their respective parent Cemetery LLCs (each a “ Parent Cemetery LLC ” and collectively, the “ Parent Cemetery LLCs ”) and in the case of Laurelwood to CFSI, the Sub Notes, the Distribution NQ Subs and their respective Parent Cemetery LLCs, and Laurelwood (in its case, CFSI) all being listed on Schedule I1 .

 

  2. CFSI filed a certificate of conversion under Section 266 of the Delaware Corporation Law and converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company named CFSI LLC, with the outstanding common stock of CFSI being converted into common membership interests in CFSI LLC and the outstanding preferred stock of CFSI being converted to preferred membership interests in CFSI LLC (collectively, the “ Preferred Interest ”).

 

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WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the following shall occur:

 

  J. Closing of the Offering :

 

  1. CFSI LLC shall convey to the OLP (a) all of the membership interests in each of the limited liability companies listed on Schedule J1(a) (collectively, the “Aggregate Cemetery LLCs”), (b) the Association Notes, as hereinafter defined, (c) all of the capital stock of the NJ NQ Sub, and (d) all of the capital stock of the Miscellaneous Companies, as hereinafter defined, all of such matters being contributed as a capital contribution to the OLP subject to the CFSI LLC Secured Indebtedness, as hereinafter defined, and in exchange for the assumption by the OLP of the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness, as hereinafter defined.

 

  2. CFSI LLC shall contribute to the GP a membership interest in the OLP (the “ OLP Interest ”) equal to 2.0215% of the membership interests in the OLP and having a value of 2/49ths of the expected equity value of the MLP attributable to the aggregate number of Common Units, as hereinafter defined, to be outstanding after the initial public offering of the Common Units (the “ Offering ”).

 

  3. (a) The GP shall convey the OLP Interest to the MLP in exchange for a continuation of the GP’s 2% general partner interest in the MLP and the Incentive Distribution Rights, as hereinafter defined.

 

(b) CFSI LLC shall contribute to the MLP the remaining membership interests in the OLP equal to 97.9785% of the membership interests in the OLP in exchange for (i) 4,239,782 Subordinated Units, as hereinafter defined, representing subordinated limited partner interests with a 49% profits interest in the MLP, and (ii) 564,782 Common Units representing common limited partner interests with a 6.5% profits interest in the MLP.

 

(c) The public, through the underwriters (the “ Underwriters ”) of the Offering, shall contribute $75,337,500 (the “ Offering Proceeds ”) to the MLP, $70,251,300 net of the Underwriters’ spread of 6.75% (the “ Spread ”), in exchange for 3,675,000 Common Units with a 42.5% profits interest in the MLP.

 

  4. The MLP shall pay all costs and expenses (the “ Offering Costs ”) in connection with the Offering, other than the Spread, and shall contribute the balance of the Offering Proceeds to the OLP as an additional capital contribution.

 

  5. The OLP shall use the funds contributed to it by the MLP to repay a portion of the CFSI LLC Indebtedness.

 

  6. Each of the Distribution NQ Subs shall borrow funds equal to the amount due under its respective Sub Note and use such borrowed funds to pay to its Parent Cemetery LLC all of the amounts due under the Sub Note held by its Parent Cemetery LLC (the “ Sub Note Amount ”).

 

  7. Each Parent Cemetery LLC shall distribute to the OLP all of the proceeds (“ Sub Note Payment Proceeds ”) received by it from its Distribution NQ Sub to pay the respective Sub Note Amount.

 

6


  8. The OLP and the Note Co-Issuers shall issue $80,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.66% Senior Secured Notes, due September 20, 2009 (the “ Senior Notes ”) and the following shall occur: (a) the OLP will pay the discounts, commissions and offering expenses incurred by the OLP in connection with the offer and sale of the Senior Notes (the “ Debt Offering Costs ”), and (b) the OLP shall pay all of the remaining CFSI LLC Indebtedness from the cash remaining from the sale of the Senior Notes (the “ Net Debt Proceeds ”) and from the Sub Note Payment Proceeds.

 

  K. Post Closing Matters :

 

  1. After the Closing of the Offering, the Shareholder may be dissolved and all of its assets, subject to any liabilities, shall be distributed to each of the owners of the Shareholder identified on Schedule K1 (the “ Owners ”) in accordance with the applicable agreements relating to the Shareholder.

 

  2. In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 551,250 Common Units (the “ Option ”). If the Option is exercised, the MLP shall use 50% of the net proceeds paid under the terms of the Option to redeem a number of Common Units owned by CFSI LLC equal to the number of Common Units sold pursuant to the exercise of the Option and to reimburse CFSI LLC for certain capital expenditures; and the MLP will retain the balance of the proceeds for partnership purposes.

 

  L. Other Matters :

 

  1. The agreement of limited partnership of the MLP will be amended and restated to the extent necessary to reflect the applicable matters set forth above and in Article II and Article III of this Agreement.

 

  2. The limited liability company agreements of each of the following will be amended to the extent necessary to reflect the applicable matters set forth above and in Article II and Article III in this Agreement:

 

  (a) the GP;

 

  (b) the OLP; and

 

  (c) the Aggregate Cemetery LLCs.

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual undertakings and agreements hereunder, the Parties undertake and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; SCHEDULES; RECORDATION

 

1.1 Definitions . The following capitalized terms have the meanings given below.

 

Acts ” shall mean collectively each of the applicable laws under which the conversions and mergers referred to in this Agreement have occurred.

 

Agreement ” means this Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement.

 

Aggregate Cemetery LLCs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J1 of this Agreement.

 

Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities ” means all of the obligations under the applicable members’ operating agreements relating to the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests.

 

Association Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

Cemetery LLC ” or “ Cemetery LLCs ” has the meanings assigned to such terms in Item B3 of this Agreement.

 

Cemetery Sub ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B2 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

CFSI/Laurelwood Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item C1 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI/Laurelwood Receivables ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item C1 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI LLC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

CFSI LLC Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

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CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities ” means all of the obligations under the applicable members’ operating agreements relating to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest.

 

CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.4 of this Agreement.

 

CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities ” means all of the obligations under the applicable members’ operating agreements relating to the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests.

 

CFSI LLC Secured Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

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

 

Common Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Contributing Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

Debt Offering Costs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J8 of this Agreement.

 

DE Cemetery LLC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item D2 of this Agreement.

 

Delaware Corporation Law ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item D2 of this Agreement.

 

Delaware LLC Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item A1 of the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

Delaware Limited Partnership Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the initial Recital to this Agreement.

 

DE NQ Sub ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item D1 .

 

Distribution NQ Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item I1 .

 

Effective Date ” means September 20, 2004.

 

Effective Time ” means 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the Effective Date.

 

GP ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

9


Henlopen ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item D2 of this Agreement.

 

Incentive Distribution Rights ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Kiris ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item G3 of this Agreement.

 

Laurelwood ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item C1 of this Agreement.

 

Laurelwood LLCs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item C5 of this Agreement.

 

MD Cemetery LLC ” and “ MD Cemetery LLCs ” have the meanings assigned to such term in Item E2 of this Agreement.

 

MD Cemetery Sub ” and MD Cemetery Subs ” have the meanings assigned to such terms in Item E1 of this Agreement.

 

MD New Parent ” means the New Parent formed under the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

MD NQ Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item E1 of this Agreement.

 

Miscellaneous Companies ” means all of the following corporations: (i) Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc. and Morris Cemetery Perpetual Care Company, both Pennsylvania corporations; and (ii) Augusta Memorial Park Perpetual Care Company and KIRIS Subsidiary, Inc., both Virginia corporations.

 

Miscellaneous Companies Stock ” means all of the capital stock of the Miscellaneous Companies.

 

MLP ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Multi-State Cemetery LLCs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item H2 of this Agreement.

 

Multi-State Cemetery Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item H1 of this Agreement.

 

Multi-State NQ Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item H3 of this Agreement.

 

Net Debt Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J8 of this Agreement.

 

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New Parent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B1 of this Agreement.

 

NJ NQ Sub ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item F1 of this Agreement.

 

NJ NQ Sub Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Note Co-Issuers ” means the subsidiaries of the MLP (other than the OLP) that are parties to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 20, 2004 by and among the MLP, the GP, the OLP, each of the subsidiary issuers listed on the signature pages thereto, and the several purchasers whose names appear on the acceptance form thereto.

 

NQ Assets ” means assets that generate income that is not Qualifying Income, as hereinafter defined.

 

NQ LLC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B4 of this Agreement.

 

NQ Sub ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B2 of this Agreement.

 

Offering ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Item J2 of this Agreement .

 

Offering Costs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J4 of this Agreement.

 

Offering Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J3 .

 

OLP ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

OLP Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J2 of this Agreement.

 

Omnibus Agreement ” means the Omnibus Agreement dated of even date herewith, by and among McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P., McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV Associates, L.P., MDC Management Company IV, LLC, Delta Fund LLC, the Shareholder, CFSI LLC, the MLP, the GP and the OLP.

 

Option ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item K2 of this Agreement.

 

Owners ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J9 of this Agreement.

 

PA Cemetery LLC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B4 of this Agreement.

 

PA Cemetery Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item B4 of this Agreement.

 

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Parent Cemetery LLC ” and “ Parent Cemetery LLCs ” have the meanings assigned to such terms in Item I1 of this Agreement.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the MLP, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

 

Party and Parties ” have the meanings assigned to such terms in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

PMSI NQ Sub ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item G1 of this Agreement.

 

Preferred Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item I2 of this Agreement.

 

Qualifying Income ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7704(d) of the Code.

 

QI Assets ” means assets that generate Qualifying Income.

 

Receiving Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

 

Restriction ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

Restriction Matter ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.

 

Registration Statement ” means the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the MLP relating to the Offering.

 

Second Tier Mergers ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item C3 of this Agreement.

 

Senior Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J8 of this Agreement.

 

Shareholder ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item A1 of this Agreement.

 

Southern ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item G3 of this Agreement.

 

Specific Conveyances ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12 of this Agreement.

 

Spread ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J3 of this Agreement.

 

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Sub Note ” and “ Sub Notes ” have the meanings assigned to such terms in Item I1 of this Agreement.

 

Sub Note Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J6 of this Agreement.

 

Sub Note Payment Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J7 of this Agreement.

 

Subordinated Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Underwriters ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item J3 of this Agreement.

 

VA Cemetery LLCs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item G3 of this Agreement.

 

VA Cemetery Subs ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Item G2 of this Agreement.

 

VA New Parent ” means the New Parent formed under the laws of the State of Virginia.

 

VA NQ Sub ” and “ VA NQ Subs ” have the meaning assigned to such terms in Item G2 of this Agreement.

 

1.2 Schedules . The following schedules are attached hereto:

 

  (a) [Omitted]

 

  (b) Schedule B2 – Corporate Cemetery Subs (in states other than Pennsylvania

 

  (c) Schedule B3 – Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia Cemetery LLCs

 

  (d) Schedule B4(a) – Pennsylvania Cemetery LLCs

 

  (e) Schedule B4(b) – Pennsylvania NQ LLCs

 

  (f) Schedule C1(b) – CFSI/Laurelwood Notes

 

  (g) Schedule C1(d) – CFSI/Laurelwood Receivables

 

  (h) Schedule C3 – Each PA Cemetery Sub and Its Respective Cemetery LLC

 

  (i) Schedule C5(b) – Distributions by Each PA Cemetery LLC to Laurelwood of Its Interest in Each Pennsylvania NQ LLC

 

  (j) Schedule D1 – Delaware Corporations and Delaware Limited Liability Companies Owned by CFSI together with Certain Receivables and Dividend Notes

 

  (k) Schedule E1 - MD Cemetery Subs Owned by CFSI together with Certain Receivables.

 

  (l) Schedule E2(a) – Mergers of MD Cemetery Subs into MD Cemetery LLCs.

 

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  (m) Schedule E2(b) – Mergers of MD Cemetery Subs into Delaware corporations

 

  (n) Schedule E2(c) – Conversion of Delaware corporations into Delaware LLCs

 

  (o) Schedule E4 – Distribution to CFSI of Membership Interests in MD Cemetery LLCs by MD NQ Subs

 

  (p) Schedule E5 - Contribution to MD Cemetery LLCs of Stock Owned by CFSI in the MD NQ Subs

 

  (q) Schedule F1 – Receivables Contributed by CFSI to New Jersey NQ Sub Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey

 

  (r) Schedule G2 – VA Cemetery Subs (Other than PMSI, Inc.) and Certain Receivables Contributed to VA NQ Subs by CFSI

 

  (s) Schedule G3 – VA Cemetery LLCs Resulting from the Conversion of the VA Cemetery Subs, Southern Memorial Sales, Inc. and Kiris, Inc. Converted

 

  (t) Schedule G5 – VA Cemetery LLCs Distributed by Each VA NQ Sub and the PMSI NQ Sub to CFSI

 

  (u) Schedule G6 – VA NQ Subs Contributed to the VA Cemetery LLCs by CFSI

 

  (v) Schedule H1 – Multi-State Cemetery Subs and Receivables and Dividend Notes Contributed by CFSI to the Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West VA NQ Subs

 

  (w) Schedule H2 – Multi-State Cemetery LLCs resulting from the Conversion or Merger of the Multi-State Cemetery Subs

 

  (x) Schedule H3 – Multi-State Cemetery LLCs that Distributed NQ Assets to Multi-State NQ Subs

 

  (y) Schedule H4 – Multi-State Cemetery LLCs Distributed by Multi-State NQ Subs to CFSI

 

  (z) Schedule H5 – Multi-State NQ Subs Contributed by CFSI to the Multi-State Cemetery LLCs

 

  (aa) Schedule I1 – NQ Subs and Laurelwood that Distributed Sub Notes to Their Respective Parent Cemetery LLCs and CFSI

 

  (bb) Schedule J1(a) - Aggregate Cemetery LLCs

 

  (cc) Schedule K1 – Owners of the Shareholder

 

  (dd) Schedule2.1 – CFSI LLC Secured Indebtedness

 

  (ee) Schedule 2.1(a) – Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests

 

  (ff) Schedule 2.1(b) – Association Notes

 

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1.3 Recordation of Evidence of Ownership of Assets . In connection with the conversions and mergers under the applicable Acts that are referred to in the recitals to this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge that certain jurisdictions in which the assets of the applicable parties to such conversions and mergers are located may require that documents be recorded by the entities resulting from such conversions and mergers in order to evidence title to assets in such entities. All such documents shall evidence such new ownership and are not intended to modify, and shall not modify, any of the terms, covenants and conditions herein set forth.

 

ARTICLE II

CONCURRENT TRANSACTIONS

 

2.1 Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the OLP of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes, the NJ NQ Sub Stock, and the Miscellaneous Companies Stock . CFSI LLC hereby grants, contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to the OLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, as an additional contribution, all right, title and interest of CFSI LLC in and to (a) all of the membership interests in the Aggregate Cemetery LLCs described on Schedule 2.1(a) (the “ Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests ”), (b) the promissory notes listed on Schedule 2.1(b) (the “ Association Notes ”) without recourse to CFSI LLC with respect to the Association Notes, (c) all of the capital stock of the NJ NQ Sub (the “ NJ NQ Sub Stock ”), and (d) all of the Miscellaneous Companies Stock, and the OLP hereby accepts the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes, the NJ NQ Sub Stock and the Miscellaneous Companies Stock, all as an additional contribution to the capital of the OLP, subject to the secured indebtedness of CFSI LLC listed on Schedule 2.1 (the “ CFSI LLC Secured Indebtedness ”) and in exchange for the assumption by the OLP of all other indebtedness of CFSI LLC (the “ CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness ” and together with the CFSI Secured Indebtedness, the “ CFSI LLC Indebtedness ”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes, the NJ NQ Sub Stock, and the Miscellaneous Companies Stock unto the OLP, its successors and assigns, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, subject, however, to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

 

2.2 Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the GP of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest . CFSI LLC hereby grants, contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to the GP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest of CFSI LLC in and to a 2.0215% membership interest in the OLP (the “ CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest ”) having a value of 2/49ths of the expected equity value of the MLP attributable to the aggregate number of Common Units, with CFSI LLC retaining a 97.9785% membership interest in the OLP, and the GP hereby accepts the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest, as an additional contribution to the capital of the GP.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest unto the GP, its successors and assigns, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, subject, however, to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

 

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2.3 Contribution and Conveyance by the GP to the MLP of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest . The GP hereby grants, contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to the MLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest of the GP in and to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest, and the MLP hereby accepts the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest, as an additional contribution to the capital of the MLP and in exchange for the continuation of the GP’s 2% general partner interest in the MLP and the Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest unto the MLP, its successors and assigns, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, subject, however, to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

 

2.4 Contribution and Conveyance by CFSI LLC to the MLP of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests . CFSI LLC hereby grants, contributes, transfers, assigns and conveys to the MLP, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest of CFSI LLC in and to all of the remaining membership interests in the OLP, being 97.9785% of the membership interests in and to the OLP (the “ CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests ”), and the MLP hereby accepts the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests as an additional contribution to the capital of the MLP in exchange for (a) 4,239,782 Subordinated Units, representing subordinated limited partner interests with a 49% profits interest in the MLP and (b) 564,782 Common Units representing common limited partner interests with a 6.5% profits interest in the MLP.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests unto the MLP, its successors and assigns, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, subject, however, to the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

 

2.5 Public Cash Contribution . The Parties acknowledge a gross cash contribution of $75,337,500 from the public to the MLP in connection with the Offering in exchange for 3,675,000 Common Units, representing limited partner interests with a 42.5% profits interest in the MLP.

 

2.6 MLP Receipt of Cash Contribution . The MLP acknowledges receipt of $70,251,300 in cash obtained from the Offering (net of the Spread) as a capital contribution to the MLP, and the Parties acknowledge that the MLP has used all of such capital contribution (a) to pay the Offering Costs that are due and payable or that have been previously paid and (b) to make an additional capital contribution to the OLP as described in Section 2.7 .

 

2.7 Contribution of Cash by the MLP to the OLP . The OLP acknowledges the additional contribution by the MLP to the OLP and the receipt by the OLP of $60,551,300.

 

The above contribution has been made to pay a portion of the CFSI LLC Indebtedness. Each of the Parties acknowledges that $60,551,300 of the CFSI LLC Indebtedness has been paid by the OLP.

 

2.8 Borrowing by Distribution NQ Subs and Payment of Sub Notes . The Parties acknowledge that each Distribution NQ Sub has borrowed an amount equal to the amount due

 

16


under its respective Sub Note, and that each Distribution NQ Sub has paid to its Parent Cemetery LLC the outstanding Sub Note Amount due under the respective Sub Note.

 

2.9 Distribution of Sub Note Payment Proceeds to the OLP by the Parent Cemetery LLCs . The Parties acknowledge that each Parent Cemetery LLC has distributed to the OLP all Sub Note Payment Proceeds received from its Distribution NQ Sub in payment of the outstanding Sub Note Amount due under the respective Sub Note.

 

2.10 Payment of Debt Offering Costs and CFSI LLC Indebtedness from the Net Debt Proceeds and the Sub Note Payment Proceeds . The Parties acknowledge that the OLP and the Note Co-Issuers have sold $80,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.66% Senior Secured Notes due September 20, 2009 and, with the proceeds thereof together with the Sub Note Payment Proceeds received from each Parent Cemetery LLC, the OLP has paid all of the Debt Offering Costs and all of the remaining outstanding CFSI LLC Indebtedness.

 

2.11 Specific Conveyances . To further evidence the sales and contributions of the matters reflected in this Agreement, each Party making such contribution may have executed and delivered to the Party receiving such contribution certain conveyance, assignment and bill of sale instruments (the “ Specific Conveyances ”). The Specific Conveyances shall evidence and perfect such sale and contribution made by this Agreement and shall not constitute a second conveyance of any assets or interests therein and shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III

ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES

 

3.1 Assumption of Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities by the OLP . In connection with the contribution by CFSI LLC of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests to the OLP, as set forth in Section 2.1 , the OLP hereby agrees that it has succeeded to all of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests as a substitute member of each of the Aggregate Cemetery LLCs and hereby assumes and agrees to be bound by and to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities, to the full extent that CFSI LLC has been heretofore or would have been in the future obligated to pay, perform and discharge the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities were it not for such contribution and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; provided, however, that said assumption and agreement to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities shall not (a) increase the obligation of the OLP with respect to the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities beyond that of CFSI LLC, (b) waive any valid defense that was available to CFSI LLC with respect to the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities or (c) enlarge any rights or remedies of any third party under any of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests Liabilities. The OLP hereby acknowledges and agrees that, by accepting the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, and without any further action required by either CFSI LLC or the OLP, it shall be a party to the Operating Agreement of the applicable Cemetery LLC issuing a particular Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interest and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions thereof as a “Member” thereunder in lieu of CFSI LLC.

 

3.2 Assumption of the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness by the OLP . In connection with the contribution by CFSI LLC of the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes,

 

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the NJ NQ Sub Stock, and the Miscellaneous Companies Stock to the OLP, as set forth in Section 2.1 , the OLP hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness, to the full extent that CFSI LLC has been heretofore or would have been in the future obligated to pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness were it not for such contribution and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; provided, however, that said assumption and agreement to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness shall not (a) increase the obligation of the OLP with respect to the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness beyond that of CFSI LLC, (b) waive any valid defense that was available to CFSI LLC with respect to the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness or (c) enlarge any rights or remedies of any third party under any of the CFSI LLC Other Indebtedness.

 

3.3 Assumption of the CFSI LLC OLP Partial Interest Liabilities by the GP . In connection with the contribution by CFSI LLC of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest to the GP, as set forth in Section 2.2 , the GP hereby agrees that it has succeeded to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest as a substitute member of the OLP and hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities, to the full extent that CFSI LLC has been heretofore or would have been in the future obligated to pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities were it not for such contribution and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; provided, however, that said assumption and agreement to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities shall not (a) increase the obligation of the GP with respect to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities beyond that of CFSI LLC, (b) waive any valid defense that was available to CFSI LLC with respect to the CFSI LLC OLP Partial Interest Liabilities or (c) enlarge any rights or remedies of any third party under any of the CFSI LLC OLP Partial Interest Liabilities.

 

3.4 Assumption of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities by the MLP . In connection with the contribution by the GP of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest to the MLP, as set forth in Section 2.3 , the MLP hereby agrees that it has succeeded to all of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest as a substitute member of the OLP and hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities, to the full extent that the GP has been heretofore or would have been in the future obligated to pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities were it not for such contribution and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; provided, however, that said assumption and agreement to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities shall not (a) increase the obligation of the MLP with respect to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities beyond that of the GP, (b) waive any valid defense that was available to the GP with respect to the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities or (c) enlarge any rights or remedies of any third party under any of the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest Liabilities.

 

3.5 Assumption of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities by the MLP . In connection with the contribution by CFSI LLC of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests to the MLP, as set forth in Section 2.4 , the MLP hereby agrees that it has succeeded to all of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests as a substitute member of the OLP and hereby assumes and agrees to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge all of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities, to the full extent that CFSI LLC has been heretofore or would have been in

 

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the future obligated to pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities were it not for such contribution and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; provided, however, that said assumption and agreement to duly and timely pay, perform and discharge the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities shall not (a) increase the obligation of the MLP with respect to the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities beyond that of CFSI LLC, (b) waive any valid defense that was available to CFSI LLC with respect to the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities or (c) enlarge any rights or remedies of any third party under any of the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interests Liabilities.

 

3.6 General Provisions Relating to Assumption of Liabilities . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement including, without limitation, the terms and provisions of this Article III, none of the Parties shall be deemed to have assumed, and none of the matters sold, transferred or contributed pursuant to Article II have been or are being sold, transferred or contributed subject to, (a) any liens or security interests securing consensual indebtedness covering any of such matters, except to the extent set forth on a schedule to this Agreement , and all such liens and security interests shall be deemed to be excluded from the assumptions of liabilities made under this Article III or (b) any of the liabilities covered by the indemnities set forth in the Omnibus Agreement to the extent such liabilities are covered by such indemnities, and all such liabilities shall be deemed to be excluded from the assumptions of liabilities made under this Article III to the extent that such liabilities are covered by such indemnities.

 

ARTICLE IV

FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

4.1 Further Assurances . From time to time after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, the Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver, and to cause their respective subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to execute, acknowledge and deliver, all such additional deeds, assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and will do all such other acts and things, and will cause their respective subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate (a) more fully to assure that the applicable Parties own all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges granted or contemplated by this Agreement, or which are intended to be so granted, and (b) more fully and effectively to vest in the applicable Parties and their respective successors and assigns beneficial and record title to the interests contributed and assigned by this Agreement or intended so to be and to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

4.2 Other Assurances . From time to time after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, each of the Parties shall execute, acknowledge and deliver, and cause their respective subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to execute, acknowledge and deliver, all such additional instruments, notices and other documents, and will do all such other acts and things, and will cause their respective subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge that the Parties have used their good faith

 

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efforts to attempt to identify all of the assets being contributed to the MLP or its subsidiaries as required in connection with the Offering. However, it is possible that assets intended to be contributed to the MLP or its subsidiaries were not identified and therefore are not included in the assets contributed to the MLP or its subsidiaries. It is the express intent of the Parties that the MLP or its subsidiaries own all assets necessary to operate the assets that are identified in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement. To the extent any assets were not identified but are necessary to the operation of assets that were identified, then the intent of the Parties is that all such unidentified assets be conveyed to the appropriate Party. To the extent such assets are identified at a later date, the Parties shall take, and shall cause their respective subsidiaries and controlled affiliates to take, the appropriate actions, required in order to convey all such assets to the appropriate Party or other person. Likewise, to the extent that assets are identified at a later date that were not intended by the Parties to be conveyed to the MLP or its subsidiaries as reflected in the Registration Statement, the Parties shall take the appropriate actions required in order to convey all such assets to the appropriate party.

 

ARTICLE V

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

5.1 Contributing Parties . Each of the Parties that has made a transfer or contribution as reflected by this Agreement (each a “ Contributing Party ”) hereby constitutes and appoints the party to whom assets were transferred or contributed and its successors and assigns (the “ Receiving Party ”), its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution for it and in its name, place and stead or otherwise on behalf of the applicable Contributing Party and its successors and assigns, and for the benefit of the applicable Receiving Party and its successors and assigns, to demand and receive from time to time the applicable assets contributed and any income therefrom and to execute in the name of the applicable Contributing Party and its successors and assigns instruments of conveyance, instruments of further assurance and to give receipts and releases in respect of the same, and from time to time to institute and prosecute in the name of the applicable Contributing Party for the benefit of the applicable Receiving Party as may be appropriate, any and all proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise which the applicable Receiving Party and its successors and assigns, may deem proper in order to (a) collect, assert or enforce any claims, rights or titles of any kind in and to the applicable assets, (b) defend and compromise any and all actions, suits or proceedings in respect of any of the applicable assets, and (c) do any and all such acts and things in furtherance of this Agreement as the applicable Receiving Party or its successors or assigns shall deem advisable. Each Contributing Party hereby declares that the appointments hereby made and the powers hereby granted are coupled with an interest and are and shall be irrevocable and perpetual and shall not be terminated by any act of any Contributing Party or its successors or assigns or by operation of law.

 

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ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1 Order of Completion of Transactions . The transactions provided for in Article II (except as otherwise noted) and Article III of this Agreement shall be completed on the Effective Date in the following order:

 

First , the transactions provided for in Article II shall be completed in the order set forth therein; and

 

Second , the transactions provided for in Article III shall be completed in the order set forth therein.

 

6.2 Consents; Restriction on Assignment . If there are prohibitions against or conditions to the contribution and conveyance of one or more of the matters conveyed in this Agreement without the prior written consent of third parties, including, without limitation, governmental agencies (other than consents of a ministerial nature which are normally granted in the ordinary course of business), which if not satisfied would result in a breach of such prohibitions or conditions or would give an outside party the right to terminate rights of the Party to whom the applicable matters were intended to be conveyed (the “ Beneficial Owner ”) with respect to such portion of such matters (herein called a “ Restriction ”), then any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the transfer of title to or interest in each such portion of such matters (herein called the “ Restriction Matter ”) pursuant to this Agreement shall not become effective unless and until such Restriction is satisfied, waived or no longer applies. When and if such a Restriction is so satisfied, waived or no longer applies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any applicable contractual provisions, the assignment of the Restriction Matter subject thereto shall become effective automatically as of the Effective Time, without further action on the part of any Party. Each of the applicable Parties that were involved with the conveyance of a Restriction Matter agree to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain on a timely basis satisfaction of any Restriction applicable to any Restriction Matter conveyed by or acquired by any of them. The description of any portion of such matters as a “Restriction Matter” shall not be construed as an admission that any Restriction exists with respect to the transfer of such portion of such matters. In the event that any Restriction Matter exists, the applicable Party agrees to continue to hold such Restriction Matter in trust for the exclusive benefit of the applicable Party to whom such Restriction Matter was intended to be conveyed and to otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to provide such other Party with the benefits thereof, and the party holding such Restriction Matter will enter into other agreements, or take such other action as it may deem necessary, in order to ensure that the applicable Party to whom such Restriction Matter was intended to be conveyed has the rights necessary to enable the applicable Party to operate such Restriction Matter in all material respects as it was operated prior to the Effective Time. Until such Restriction Matter can be conveyed to the applicable Party or to the extent necessary, the party holding such Restriction Matter will continue to operate such Restriction Matter for the benefit of the applicable party.

 

6.3 Costs . The OLP shall pay all sales, use and similar taxes arising out of the contributions, conveyances and deliveries to be made hereunder, and shall pay all documentary, filing, recording, transfer, and conveyance taxes and fees required in connection therewith. In

 

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addition, the OLP shall be responsible for all costs, liabilities and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the satisfaction or waiver of any Restriction pursuant to Section 6.2 .

 

6.4 Headings; References; Interpretation . All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including without limitation, all Schedules attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All references herein to Articles, Sections, and Schedules shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles, Sections and Schedules of this Agreement, respectively, and all such Schedules attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation,” “but not limited to,” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

 

6.5 Successors and Assigns . The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

6.6 No Third Party Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other person or confer upon any other person any benefits, rights or remedies and no person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

6.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on the Parties.

 

6.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Pennsylvania applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such state without giving effect to conflict of law principles thereof, except to the extent that it is mandatory that the law of some other jurisdiction shall apply.

 

6.9 Severability . If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid, and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.

 

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6.10 Bill of Sale; Assignment . To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “bill of sale” or “assignment” of the matters transferred or conveyed as set forth in this Agreement.

 

6.11 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties hereto and affected thereby.

 

6.12 Integration . This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or form part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the Parties after the date of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the Parties as of the date first above written.

 

CFSI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

  Lawrence Miller

Title:

  President and CEO
    “CFSI LLC”

STONEMOR PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware

limited partnership

By:  

StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited

liability company, its general partner

By:

  /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

  Lawrence Miller

Title:

  President and CEO
    “MLP”
STONEMOR GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

  Lawrence Miller

Title:

  President and CEO
    “GP”
STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

  Lawrence Miller

Title:

  President and CEO
    “OLP”

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1. Purpose of the Plan .

 

The StoneMor Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted by StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the general partner of StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership and the Company by providing to employees, consultants, and directors of the Company and its Affiliates incentive compensation awards for superior performance that are based on Units. The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability of the Company, the Partnership and their Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership and their respective employers.

 

SECTION 2. Definitions .

 

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Award” means an Option, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit or Unit Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, and shall include any tandem DERs granted with respect to a Phantom Unit, Option or Unit Appreciation Right.

 

“Award Agreement” means the written agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.

 

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

 

“Change of Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership or the Company to any Person and/or its Affiliates, other than to the Partnership, the Company and/or any of their Affiliates; (ii) the consolidation, reorganization, merger or other transaction pursuant to which more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding equity interests in the Company cease to be owned by the Persons who own such interests as of the effective date of the initial public offering of Units; or (iii) the Company ceasing to be the general partner of the Partnership.

 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 


“Consultant” means an individual who performs services for the Company or an Affiliate and is not an Employee or a Director.

 

“DER” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Option, Unit Appreciation Right or Phantom Unit, to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.

 

“Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

 

“Employee” means any employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Fair Market Value” means the closing sales price of a Unit on the last trading date preceding the applicable date (or if there is no trading in the Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the Committee). In the event Units are not publicly traded at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee.

 

“Option” means an option to purchase Units granted under the Plan.

 

“Participant” means any Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.

 

“Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of StoneMor Partners L.P., as it may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

“Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

“Phantom Unit” means a phantom (notional) Unit granted under the Plan which upon vesting entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

“Restricted Period” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture and is either not exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be.

 

“Restricted Unit” means a Unit granted under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.

 

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

 

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“UDR” means a distribution made by the Partnership with respect to a Restricted Unit.

 

“Unit” means a Common Unit of the Partnership.

 

“Unit Appreciation Right” means an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of Unit on the exercise date over the exercise price established for such Unit Appreciation Right. Such excess may be paid in cash and/or in Units as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

SECTION 3. Administration .

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the following and applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose, if any. Upon any such delegation all references in the Plan to the “Committee”, other than in Section 7, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer’s right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 or a member of the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the Partnership, any Affiliate, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.

 

SECTION 4. Units .

 

(a) Limits on Units Deliverable . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan is 416,000. However, there shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be granted and paid in cash.

 

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(b) Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards . Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open market, from any Affiliate, the Partnership or any other Person, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

(c) Adjustments . In the event that the Committee determines that any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.

 

SECTION 5. Eligibility .

 

Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan.

 

SECTION 6. Awards .

 

(a) Options . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Option, the purchase price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(i) Exercise Price . The purchase price per Unit purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted and may be more or less than its Fair Market Value as of the date of grant.

 

(ii) Time and Method of Exercise . The Committee shall determine the Restricted Period, i.e., the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, which may include, without limitation, accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Company, a “cashless-broker” exercise through procedures approved by the Company, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price.

 

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(iii) Forfeiture . Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Option grant, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with or consulting services to the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all Options shall be forfeited by the Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Options.

 

(iv) Option DERs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Options may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Options Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(b) Restricted Units and Phantom Units . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units or Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited, which may include, without limitation, the accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards, including whether DERs are granted with respect to the Phantom Units.

 

(i) DERs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Phantom Units may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Phantom Unit Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(ii) UDRs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Restricted Units may provide that distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest, until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the grant agreement, UDRs shall be paid to the holder of the Restricted Unit without restriction.

 

(iii) Forfeitures . Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Restricted Units or Phantom Units grant, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Restricted Units and Phantom Units awarded the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units.

 

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(iv) Lapse of Restrictions .

 

(A) Phantom Units . Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one Unit or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(B) Restricted Units . Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate so that the Participant then holds an unrestricted Unit.

 

(c) Unit Appreciation Rights . The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Unit Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each grant, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Unit Appreciation Right, the exercise price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Unit Appreciation Right, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(i) Exercise Price . The exercise price per Unit Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Unit Appreciation Right is granted and may be more or less than its Fair Market Value as of the date of grant.

 

(ii) Time of Exercise . The Committee shall determine the Restricted Period, i.e., the time or times at which a Unit Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part, which may include, without limitation, accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals.

 

(iii) Forfeitures . Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Unit Appreciation Right grant, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Unit Appreciation Rights awarded the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Unit Appreciation Rights.

 

(iv) Unit Appreciation Right DERs . To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Unit Appreciation Rights may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Unit Appreciation Rights Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

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(d) General .

 

(i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together . Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

 

(ii) Limits on Transfer of Awards .

 

(A) Except as provided in (C) below, each Option and Unit Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(B) Except as provided in (C) below, no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company, the Partnership or any Affiliate.

 

(C) To the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to an Option or Unit Appreciation Right grant, an Option or Unit Appreciation Right may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.

 

(iii) Term of Awards . The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

 

(iv) Unit Certificates . All certificates for Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

(v) Consideration for Grants . Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee determines.

 

(vi) Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any grant agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award

 

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without violating the rules or regulations of any applicable law or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award grant agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

 

(vii) Change of Control . Unless specifically provided otherwise in the Award agreement, upon a Change of Control all outstanding Awards shall automatically vest and be payable or become exercisable in full, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 7. Amendment and Termination .

 

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

 

(a) Amendments to the Plan . Except as required by the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person.

 

(b) Amendments to Awards . Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change, other than pursuant to Section 7(c), in any Award shall materially reduce the benefit to Participant without the consent of such Participant.

 

(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events . The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(c) of the Plan) affecting the Partnership or the financial statements of the Partnership, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or such Award.

 

SECTION 8. General Provisions .

 

(a) No Rights to Award . No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(b) Tax Withholding . The Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, other securities, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be

 

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necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.

 

(c) No Right to Employment or Services . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, to continue as a consultant, or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or terminate a consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award agreement or other agreement.

 

(d) Governing Law . The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of [                     ] without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

 

(e) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the Compensation Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Compensation Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(f) Other Laws . The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.

 

(g) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any participating Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any participating Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any participating Affiliate.

 

(h) No Fractional Units . No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

 

(i) Headings . Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

 

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(j) Facility Payment . Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to properly manage his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner which the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

 

(k) Participation by Affiliates . In making Awards to Consultants and Employees employed by an entity other than by the Company, the Committee shall be acting on behalf of the Affiliate, and to the extent the Partnership has an obligation to reimburse the Company for compensation paid to Consultants and Employees for services rendered for the benefit of the Partnership, such payments or reimbursement payments may be made by the Partnership directly to the Affiliate, and, if made to the Company, shall be received by the Company as agent for the Affiliate.

 

(l) Gender and Number . Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

SECTION 9. Term of the Plan .

 

The Plan shall be effective on the date of its approval by the Board and shall continue until the earliest of (i) the date terminated by the Board, (ii) all available Units under the Plan have been paid to Participants, or (iii) the 10th anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the Board or the unitholders, whichever occurs first. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

Execution Copy


 

OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

 

among

 

McCOWN DE LEEUW & CO. IV, L.P.,

 

McCOWN DE LEEUW & CO. IV ASSOCIATES, L.P.,

 

MDC MANAGEMENT COMPANY IV, LLC,

 

DELTA FUND LLC,

 

CORNERSTONE FAMILY SERVICES LLC

 

CFSI LLC,

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.,

 

STONEMOR GP LLC

 

and

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1

   Definitions    1

ARTICLE II

NONCOMPETITION

Section 2.1

   Restricted Businesses    5

Section 2.2

   Scope of Restricted Business Prohibition    5

Section 2.3

   Enforcement    5

ARTICLE III

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 3.1

   Indemnification by CFSI LLC for Successor Liability    5

Section 3.2

   Indemnification by CFSI LLC for an NOL Limitation Event    6

Section 3.3

   Indemnification by the Partnership Entities    7

Section 3.4

   Indemnification Procedures    7

Section 3.5

   Existence of CFSI LLC    9

Section 3.6

   Limitations on Transfers and Incurrence of Indebtedness of CFSI LLC    9

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1

   Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction    12

Section 4.2

   Notice    12

Section 4.3

   Entire Agreement; Supersedure    13

Section 4.4

   Effect of Waiver or Consent    13

Section 4.5

   Amendment or Modification    13

Section 4.6

   Assignment    13

Section 4.7

   Counterparts    14

Section 4.8

   Severability    14

Section 4.9

   Construction    14

Section 4.10

   Further Assurances    14

Section 4.11

   No Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees, and Third Parties    14

 

i


OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

 

THIS OMNIBUS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on, and effective as of, the Closing Date (as defined herein) by and among McCown De Leeuw & Co. IV, L.P., a California limited partnership (“MDC Fund IV”), McCown De Leeuw IV Associates, L.P., a California limited partnership (“MDC Fund IV Associates”), MDC Management Company IV, LLC, a California limited liability company, for itself and in its capacity as general partner of MDC Fund IV and MDC Fund IV Associates, Delta Fund LLC, a California limited liability company, (collectively, the “MDC Group”), Cornerstone Family Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CFS LLC”), CFSI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CFSI LLC”), StoneMor Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), for itself and on behalf of the Partnership in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, and StoneMor Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Operating Company”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

 

1. The parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article II, with respect to certain noncompetition obligations on the part of the MDC Entities (as defined herein).

 

2. The parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article III, with respect to certain indemnification obligations of the parties to each other.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the benefits to be derived by each party hereunder and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Definitions . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth below or elsewhere in this Agreement, as the case may be:

 

“5% Shareholders” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 382(k)(7) of the Code, including the constructive ownership rules applicable thereto and the Treasury Regulation thereunder.

 

“Actual Aggregate Income Tax Due” means the aggregate amount of federal, state and local income Tax the Partnership Entities must pay in any taxable year.

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Agreement” means this Omnibus Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

1


“Assignee” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“CFSI LLC Agreement” shall mean the limited liability company agreement of CFSI LLC, dated as of September 17, 2004, as such agreement is amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

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

 

“Common Units” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Conflicts Committee” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Contribution Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Conveyed Assets” means the Aggregate Cemetery LLC Interests, the Association Notes, the NJ NQ Sub Stock, the CFSI LLC Partial OLP Interest and the CFSI LLC Remaining OLP Interest, each of which shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Contribution Agreement.

 

“CPA Mediator” means an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected jointly by the Conflicts Committee and the Indemnifying Party and which is not then performing and has not in the past three years performed services for or on behalf of either the Indemnified Party or the Indemnifying Party.

 

“Discharge Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(a).

 

“Estimated Formation Taxes” means the estimated amount of income Taxes due and owing, as shown on Exhibit A, by the Predecessor Entities as a result of the Formation Transactions.

 

“Fair Market Value” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(c).

 

“Formation Taxes” means those income Taxes due and owing by the Predecessor Entities as a result of the Formation Transactions.

 

“Formation Transactions” means those transactions contemplated by and described in the Contribution Agreement, including those transactions described in the recitals to the Contribution Agreement.

 

2


“Governmental Authority” means (i) the United States of America, (ii) any state, commonwealth, county, municipality or other governmental subdivision within the United States of America, (iii) any court or any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or other instrumentality of the United States of America, or of any state, commonwealth, county, municipality or other governmental subdivision within the United States of America, and (iv) any arbitration tribunal having jurisdiction over any member of the MDC Entities or any of the Partnership Entities.

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Knowledge” means the actual knowledge after due inquiry of the members of the board of managers of CFSI LLC and the executive officers of CFSI LLC.

 

“Known Threshold Amount “ shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(d).

 

“Limited Partner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Losses” means any losses, damages, liabilities, assessments, claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees and expert’s fees) of any and every kind or character.

 

“MDC Entities” means each member of the MDC Group, CFS LLC, CFSI LLC and their respective direct and indirect Subsidiaries, other than the Partnership Entities.

 

“MDC Entity” means any of the MDC Entities.

 

“NOL Carryover Period” means the NOL carryover period allowed under Section 172 of the Code.

 

“NOL Carryovers” means the amount of federal and state NOL carryovers shown on Exhibit B, as adjusted pursuant to this definition. Such amounts are to be available as of the Closing Date for use by the Partnership Entities as a reduction of taxable income in future taxable periods of the Partnership Entities. The amounts shown on Exhibit B reflect (i) the amounts of federal and state NOL carryovers of the Predecessor Entities as of December 31, 2003, plus (ii) the amount of federal and state NOL carryovers that are to result from the Formation Transactions. The amounts referred to in clause (i) and shown on Exhibit B shall be adjusted for any increase or decrease in federal and state NOL carryovers resulting from the operations (not including the Formation Transactions) of the Predecessor Entities for the period beginning January 1, 2004 and ending on the Closing Date, as finally determined and reported on the federal and state income tax returns of the Predecessor Entities.

 

“NOL Limitation Event” means an entry of a final, nonappealable judgment or decree by a court or the execution of a final and binding settlement agreement with any Governmental Authority that has the effect of reducing or eliminating any of the NOL Carryovers.

 

3


“NOL” means net operating loss as defined in Section 172 of the Code.

 

“Notional Aggregate Income Tax Due” means the Actual Aggregate Income Tax Due if no NOL Limitation Event were to have occurred.

 

“Other Known Interests” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(d).

 

“Over-Allotment Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the Closing Date, as such agreement is amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Partnership Entities” means the General Partner and each member of the Partnership Group.

 

“Partnership Entity” means any of the Partnership Entities.

 

“Partnership Group” means the Partnership and any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Predecessor Entities” means CFSI LLC and its predecessors and any controlled Affiliate of the foregoing.

 

“Restricted Business” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1.

 

“Restricted Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(d).

 

“Section 382 Ownership Change” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(d).

 

“Subordinated Units” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Subsidiary” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Tax” or “Taxes” means any taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including without limitation income, profits, gross receipts, net proceeds, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem, value added, turnover, sales, use, property, personal property (tangible and intangible), environmental, stamp, leasing, lease, user, excise, duty, franchise, capital stock, transfer, registration, license, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, payroll, employment, fuel, excess profits, occupational, premium, windfall profit, severance, estimated, or other charge of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

 

4


“Tax Returns” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

“Testing Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 382(i) of the Code.

 

“Transfer” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.6(a).

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury promulgated pursuant to the Code.

 

“Units” shall mean the Common Units and Subordinated Units.

 

ARTICLE II

NONCOMPETITION

 

Section 2.1 Restricted Businesses . For as long as the general partner of the Partnership is an Affiliate of the MDC Entities (it being acknowledged and agreed that the General Partner is an Affiliate of the MDC Entities as of the date hereof), each of the MDC Entities shall be prohibited from engaging (whether directly or through the acquisition of or investment in equity or debt interests in any Person) in any business having assets engaged in the following businesses (each a “Restricted Business”): owning or operating cemeteries or funeral homes, or selling cemetery or funeral home products or services, in any state or territory of the United States (other than the ownership or operation of assets solely on behalf of a member of the Partnership Group).

 

Section 2.2 Scope of Restricted Business Prohibition . Except as provided in Section 2.1, each MDC Entity shall be free to engage (whether directly or through the acquisition of or investment in equity or debt interests in any Person) in any business activity whatsoever, including those that may be in direct competition with any of the Partnership Entities.

 

Section 2.3 Enforcement . Each MDC Entity acknowledges and agrees that the Partnership Entities do not have an adequate remedy at law for the breach by any MDC Entity of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Article II, and that any breach by any MDC Entity of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Article II would result in irreparable injury to the Partnership Entities. Each MDC Entity further acknowledges and agrees that any Partnership Entity may, in addition to the other remedies that may be available to the Partnership Entities, file a suit in equity to enjoin any MDC Entity from such breach, and each MDC Entity consents to the issuance of injunctive relief under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 3.1 Indemnification by CFSI LLC for Successor and Other Liability . Subject to the other provisions of this Article III, CFSI LLC shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Entities from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by reason of or arising out of or otherwise relating to liability for (a) all federal, state and local income Tax liabilities

 

5


attributable to the operation of the Conveyed Assets prior to the Closing Date and (b) Formation Taxes, including, without limitation, liability for Taxes under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state or local law) as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise, in excess of the Estimated Formation Taxes. The indemnification obligation under this Section 3.1 shall continue until the later of (i) the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitation (including any extensions thereof) relating to the filing by the Predecessor Entities of all Tax Returns relating to the Formation Transactions and (ii) the ultimate resolution of all indemnification claims pursuant to this Section 3.1 that were timely made pursuant to Section 3.4(g), including the full discharge by CFSI LLC of all indemnification obligations arising from such claims.

 

Section 3.2 Indemnification by CFSI LLC for an NOL Limitation Event .

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of an NOL Limitation Event, CFSI LLC or its successor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Entities for any increases in federal, state and local income Tax liabilities of the Partnership Entities attributable to the reduction or elimination of NOL Carryovers otherwise available to the Partnership Entities on the Closing Date. The indemnification obligations under this Section 3.2 shall continue until the later of (i) the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (including any extensions thereof) relating to the filing by the Predecessor Entities of all Tax Returns relating to the Formation Transactions, (ii) the ultimate resolution of all inquiries from or instigations of proceedings by Governmental Authorities for which notice was required to be given by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 3.4(c), including the full discharge by CFSI LLC of all indemnification obligations arising from inquiries or proceedings and (iii) the ultimate resolution of all indemnification claims pursuant to this Section 3.2 that were timely made pursuant to Section 3.4(c), including the full discharge by CFSI LLC of all indemnification obligations arising from such claims.

 

(b) The indemnification obligations under this Section 3.2 shall be an amount equal to:

 

(i) The excess, if any, of (A) the Actual Aggregate Income Tax Due of the Partnership Entities over (B) the Notional Aggregate Income Tax Due of the Partnership Entities. The indemnification obligations under this Section 3.2(b)(i) shall be calculated, measured and applied for each taxable year of the Partnership Entities, including taxable years prior to, during and after the taxable year in which the NOL Limitation Event occurs, until the expiration of the NOL Carryover Period (measured from the earliest period affected by the NOL Limitation Event); or

 

(ii) At the option of CFSI LLC, CFSI LLC may make payments in satisfaction of its indemnification obligations under this Section 3.2 with respect to increases in federal income Tax liabilities, as well as state and local income Tax liabilities, which payments with respect to state and local income Tax liabilities may be made in satisfaction of indemnification obligations under this Section 3.2 at different times as those made in satisfaction of any federal income Tax liabilities, equal to amounts determined by, and in the sole discretion of, the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership. Such payments may be satisfied in multiple

 

6


 

installments to the extent, and on a schedule, permitted by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership.

 

Section 3.3 Indemnification by the Partnership Entities . The Partnership Entities shall, jointly and severally, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the MDC Entities from and against all Losses suffered or incurred by the MDC Entities arising out of or relating to the Conveyed Assets, whether before, on or after the Closing Date, except with respect to matters for which the Partnership Entities are entitled to indemnification under Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 (without regard to any limitations as to time).

 

Section 3.4 Indemnification Procedures .

 

(a) As used in this Section 3.4, the term “Indemnifying Party” refers to CFSI LLC, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, and to the Partnership Entities, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.3, and the term “Indemnified Party” refers to the Partnership Entities, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, and to the MDC Entities, in the case of any indemnification obligation arising under Section 3.3.

 

(b) The Indemnified Party agrees that promptly after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnification under Section 3.1 or Section 3.3, it will provide notice thereof in writing to the Indemnifying Party, specifying the nature of and specific basis for such claim.

 

(c) Under Section 3.2, the Indemnifying Party shall promptly notify the Indemnified Party upon the occurrence of any inquiry from or instigation of proceedings by a Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in an NOL Limitation Event, and that occurs prior to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations (including any extension thereof) relating to the filing by the Predecessor Entities of all Tax Returns relating to the Formation Transactions. Thereafter, the Indemnifying Party agrees to keep the Indemnified Party informed as to the status of such inquiry or proceeding. Upon the occurrence of an NOL Limitation Event, the Indemnifying Party shall promptly provide notice thereof in writing to the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have (30) thirty days from the date of the occurrence of an NOL Limitation Event to deliver to the Indemnified Party and the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership its preliminary written notice to elect to make payment pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(ii) in satisfaction of its indemnification obligation under Section 3.2. The Conflicts Committee of the Partnership shall then have (90) ninety days to deliver to the Indemnifying Party its written notice of the amount to be indemnified against under Section 3.2(b)(ii) with respect to such taxable periods. The Indemnifying Party shall then have (20) twenty days to deliver to the Indemnified Party its final written notice to elect to make payment pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(ii) in the amount determined by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership and the Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the Indemnified Party the amount to be indemnified against under Section 3.2(b)(ii) in accordance with the schedule permitted by the Conflicts Committee. If the Indemnifying Party does not elect to make payment pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(ii) and to the extent the indemnification obligation under Section 3.2 relates to taxable periods prior to the taxable period in which the NOL Limitation Event occurs, the Indemnified Party shall then have (90) ninety days to deliver to the Indemnifying Party its good

 

7


 

faith written notice of the amount to be indemnified against under Section 3.2(b)(i) with respect to such prior taxable period. To the extent the indemnification obligation under Section 3.2 relates to taxable periods during or after the taxable period in which the NOL Limitation Event occurs, the Indemnified Party shall then have (120) one hundred twenty days after the end of each such taxable year to deliver to the Indemnifying Party its good faith written notice of the amount to be indemnified against under Section 3.2(b)(i) with respect to such taxable periods. Receipt of any such notices setting out the amounts to be indemnified against by the Indemnifying Party under Section 3.2(b)(i) shall be conclusive against the Indemnifying Party in all respects (20) twenty days after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of such notices and the Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the Indemnified Party the amount to be indemnified against under Section 3.2(b)(i), unless within such period the Indemnifying Party sends the Indemnified Party a notice disputing the amount of such claim. Such notice of dispute shall describe the basis for such objection and the amount of the claim as to which the Indemnifying Party does not believe should be subject to indemnification. Upon receipt of any such notice of objection, both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall use all reasonable efforts to cooperate and arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution of such dispute with the next (30) thirty days. If a mutually acceptable resolution cannot be reached between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party within such 30-day period, the matter shall be referred to the CPA Mediator. Within (30) thirty days after the date of such referral, the CPA Mediator shall render its decision with respect to the differences, and such decision shall be final and binding on the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party.

 

(d) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control, at its sole cost and expense, all aspects of the defense of (and any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified Party that are covered by the indemnification provisions under this Article III, including, without limitation, the selection of counsel, determination of whether to appeal any decision of any Governmental Authority and the settling of any such matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless it includes a full release of the Indemnified Party from such matter or issues, as the case may be.

 

(e) The Indemnified Party agrees to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party with respect to all aspects of the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification provisions under this Article III, including, without limitation, the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Party may receive, permitting the name of the Indemnified Party to be utilized in connection with such defense, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information of the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any employees of the Indemnified Party; provided , however , that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of the Indemnified Party and further agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all files, records and other information furnished by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 3.4. In no event shall the obligation of the Indemnified Party to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Party an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in connection with the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in this Article III; provided , however , that the Indemnified Party may, at its own option,

 

8


 

cost and expense, hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense. The Indemnifying Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Party informed as to the status of any such defense, but the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control over such defense.

 

(f) In determining the amount of any loss, cost, damage or expense for which the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (i) the gross amount of the indemnification will be reduced by (A) any insurance proceeds realized by the Indemnified Party, and such correlative insurance benefit shall be net of any incremental insurance premium that becomes due and payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such claim and (B) all amounts recovered by the Indemnified Party under contractual indemnities from third Persons and (ii) the extent of the Losses suffered by the Indemnified Party with respect to claims under Section 3.1 shall be established by the entry of a final nonappealable judgment or decree by a court or the execution of a final and binding settlement agreement with any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction thereof.

 

(g) The date on which written notification of a claim for indemnification is received by the Indemnifying Party shall determine whether such claim is timely made within the limitations specified in Section 3.1. No claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be brought or made unless, prior to thirty (30) days after the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitation (including any extensions thereof) relating to the filing by the Predecessor Entities of all Tax Returns relating to the Formation Transactions, the Indemnified Party shall have delivered to the Indemnifying Party a good faith written notice to the effect that the Indemnified Party has incurred Losses entitled to be indemnified against under Section 3.1, which notice specifies in reasonable detail the amount of such Losses and the nature and specific basis of such claim.

 

(h) Any action, notice, consent, approval or waiver that is required to be taken or given or may be taken or given by a Partnership Entity pursuant to this Article III shall be taken or given by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership.

 

Section 3.5 Existence of CFSI LLC . CFSI LLC shall remain in existence until the later of (i) the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (including extension) relating to the filing by the Predecessor Entities of all Tax Returns relating to the Formation Transactions or (ii) the ultimate resolution of all indemnification claims pursuant to Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 that were timely made pursuant to Section 3.4(g) and Section 3.4(c), respectively, including the full discharge by CFSI LLC of all indemnification obligations arising from such claims.

 

Section 3.6 Limitations on Transfers and Incurrence of Indebtedness of CFSI LLC .

 

(a) Until all of its obligations under this Agreement have been discharged in full (the “Discharge Date”), CFSI LLC shall not be permitted to (i) sell, transfer, assign, gift, exchange, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber or dispose of, by law or otherwise (each, a “Transfer”), any interest in the General Partner or the Partnership (other than a Transfer of Common Units and Subordinated Units to the Partnership upon the redemption of such Common Units and Subordinated Units by the Partnership upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option), except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.6, or (ii) contract, create, incur, assume or

 

9


 

suffer to exist any indebtedness or other liability of CFSI LLC, or (iii) guarantee any obligation of any other Person. Any Transfer or purported Transfer by CFSI LLC of any interest in the General Partner or the Partnership not made in accordance with this Section 3.6 shall be null and void.

 

(b) CFSI LLC shall not Transfer any Subordinated Units held by it until the expiration of three years and thirty-six days after the date of this Agreement (the “Restricted Period”), except as provided in Section 3.6(a)(i) or Section 3.6(e).

 

(c) Subject to Section 3.6(b) and Section 3.6(d), at any time and from time to time prior to the Discharge Date, CFSI LLC shall be permitted to Transfer any or all of its interest in the General Partner or the Partnership so long as immediately after giving effect to such Transfer CFSI LLC holds assets (including equity interests) having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined below) of at least $35.0 million. The determination of such aggregate Fair Market Value shall be made at the time of the proposed Transfer, giving pro forma effect to the proposed Transfer (but excluding the Fair Market Value of any consideration to be received by CFSI LLC for the interests proposed to be Transferred), and otherwise in accordance with the foregoing provisions:

 

(i) the Fair Market Value of a Common Unit at any date shall mean, in the event the Common Units are traded in the over-the-counter market or on a national or regional securities exchange, the closing price per Common Unit on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the proposed Transfer. The closing price for such trading day shall be the last reported sale price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the last closing bid and asked prices regular way, in either case on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading, or if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the closing sale price for such trading day reported by NASDAQ, if the Common Units are traded over-the-counter and quoted in the National Market System, or if the Common Units are so traded, but not so quoted, the average of the closing reported bid and asked prices of the Common Units as reported by NASDAQ or any comparable system, or, if the Common Units are not listed on NASDAQ or any comparable system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by two members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership for that purpose in its sole discretion. If the Common Units are not publicly traded or not traded in such manner that the quotations referred to above are available for the date specified hereunder, the Fair Market Value of a Common Unit shall be deemed to be the fair market value per Common Unit as determined by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership in its sole discretion;

 

(ii) the Fair Market Value of a Subordinated Unit at any date shall be equal to 75% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Unit at such date (determined in accordance with clause (i) above);

 

(iii) the Fair Market Value of any Class A membership interest in the General Partner at any date shall be equal to the product of (A) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Class A units of the General Partner held by CFSI LLC as of such date and the denominator of which is the total number of outstanding Class A units in the General

 

10


Partner held by all Class A members of the General Partner as of such date, (B) 50% of the implied number of Common Units representing the General Partner’s general partner interest in the Partnership as of such date and (C) the Fair Market Value of a Common Unit as of such date (determined in accordance with clause (i) above); provided, however , that CFSI LLC may instead request that the Fair Market Value of its Class A membership interest in the General Partner be determined by an independent third party valuation expert, which expert shall be selected by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership in its sole discretion, whose fees and expenses shall be borne solely by CFSI LLC and whose determination shall be final and conclusive;

 

(iv) the Fair Market Value of any other assets or property shall be determined by the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership in its sole discretion; and

 

(v) any cash distributions made by the Partnership to CFSI LLC in respect of any Common Units or Subordinated Units held by CFSI LLC or by the General Partner to CSFI LLC in respect of any membership interests in the General Partner held by CSFI LLC (in any such case, whether or not such distributions have been distributed by CFSI LLC to its members) shall be excluded from the determination of such aggregate Fair Market Value.

 

(d) Following the Restricted Period and subject to Section 3.6(c), CFSI LLC shall be permitted to Transfer (in one or a series of transactions) up to 49% of the total outstanding interests in the Partnership (which 49% shall be based on value and shall include any interest in the Partnership held directly by CFSI LLC or indirectly by CFSI LLC through its ownership interest in the General Partner or otherwise) in any Testing Period. The amount of total outstanding interests in the Partnership that CFSI LLC is permitted to Transfer pursuant to this Section 3.6(d) may be increased if CFSI LLC obtains either (i) an opinion of counsel that the proposed Transfer “will” not result in a Section 382 Ownership Change (as hereinafter defined), which counsel and opinion shall be acceptable to the Conflicts Committee of the Partnership in its sole discretion, or (ii) a ruling from the IRS that the proposed Transfer will not result in a Section 382 Ownership Change, in either of which cases the amount of total outstanding interests in the Partnership that CFSI LLC is permitted to Transfer pursuant to this Section 3.6(d) shall be increased to the extent permitted by the opinion of counsel or IRS ruling, as the case may be. A “Section 382 Ownership Change” shall occur if, immediately after an “owner shift” (as defined in Section 382(g) of the Code) involving a 5% Shareholder or an “equity structure shift” (as defined in Section 382(g) of the Code), the percentage of stock of any Subsidiary of the Partnership deemed under Section 382 of the Code to be owned by one or more 5% Shareholders has increased by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of stock deemed owned by such 5% Shareholders at any time during a Testing Period. The amount of total outstanding interests in the Partnership that CFSI LLC is permitted to Transfer pursuant to this Section 3.6(d) shall be decreased if (x) CFSI LLC has Knowledge that a Transfer of an amount of outstanding interests in the Partnership that is equal to or less than 49% of the total outstanding interests in the Partnership (the “Known Threshold Amount”) will result in a Section 382 Ownership Change, in which case the amount of total outstanding interests in the Partnership that CFSI LLC is permitted to Transfer pursuant to this Section 3.6(d) shall be any amount of outstanding interests in the Partnership that is less than the Known Threshold Amount, or (y) CFSI LLC has Knowledge of the existence of one or more owners (either directly or through application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 382 of the Code) of 5% or

 

11


more of the total outstanding interests in the Partnership (the “Other Known Interests”), which Other Known Interests, when aggregated with the total outstanding interests in the Partnership held by CFSI LLC, exceeds 49% of the total outstanding interests in the Partnership, in which case the amount of total outstanding interests in the Partnership that CFSI LLC is permitted to Transfer pursuant to this Section 3.6(d) shall be reduced by the amount of such Other Known Interests. For purposes of clause (y), CFSI LLC shall be deemed to have Knowledge of all information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d), Section 13(f) and Section 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including without limitation any information filed on Schedule 13D, Schedule 13F or Schedule 13G.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.6(b) and Section 3.6(d) but subject to Section 3.6(c), if at any time after the date hereof the remaining balance of federal NOL Carryovers are less than $1.0 million in the aggregate, CFSI LLC shall be permitted to Transfer any or all of its interests in the Partnership without limitation.

 

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 4.1 Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state. Each party hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Pennsylvania and to venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Section 4.2 Notice . All notices or requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person or by telecopier or telegram to such party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by telegram or telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below, or at such other address as such party may stipulate to the other parties in the manner provided in this Section 4.2:

 

If to any MDC Entity, to:

 

c/o 525 Middlefield Road

Suite 210

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Facsimile: (650) 854-0853

Attention: Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

 

12


and, if such MDC Entity is CFSI LLC, to:

 

c/o 155 Rittenhouse

Bristol, PA 19007

Facsimile: (215) 826-2851

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

If to any Partnership Entity, to:

 

c/o StoneMor Partners L.P.

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007

Facsimile: (215) 826-2851

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Blank Rome LLP

One Logan Square

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Facsimile: (215) 569-5555

Attention: Frederick D. Lipman

 

Section 4.3 Entire Agreement; Supersedure . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

Section 4.4 Effect of Waiver or Consent . No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any party to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of such Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a party to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.

 

Section 4.5 Amendment or Modification . This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the parties hereto; provided, however, that the Partnership may not, without the prior approval of the Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that the General Partner determines will adversely affect the holders of Common Units. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face an “Amendment” or an “Addendum” to this Agreement.

 

Section 4.6 Assignment . No party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto. Any assignment in contravention of this Section shall be null and void and of no force and effect.

 

13


Section 4.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 4.8 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

Section 4.9 Construction . All references to Article numbers and Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Section 4.10 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each signatory party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.

 

Section 4.11 No Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees, and Third Parties . The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the parties to this Agreement, and no Limited Partner, Assignee or other Person shall have the right, separate and apart from the parties hereto, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any party to this Agreement to comply with the terms of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

14


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Closing Date.

 

McCOWN DE LEEUW & CO. IV, L.P.
By: MDC Management Company IV, LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/    Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Title:

 

CEO and Managing Director

McCOWN DE LEEUW & CO. IV ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: MDC Management Company IV, LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/    Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Title:

 

CEO and Managing Director

MDC MANAGEMENT COMPANY IV, LLC

By:

 

/s/    Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Title:

 

CEO and Managing Director

DELTA FUND LLC

By:

 

/s/    Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Name:

 

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   

Title:

 

CEO and Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Omnibus Agreement

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Closing Date.

 

CFSI LLC

By:

  / S /    L AWRENCE M ILLER
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and CEO

STONEMOR GP LLC

By:

  / S /    L AWRENCE M ILLER
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and CEO

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.
By: STONEMOR GP LLC, its general partner

By:

  / S /    L AWRENCE M ILLER
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and CEO

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

By:

  / S /    L AWRENCE M ILLER
   

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

   

Title:

 

President and CEO

 

Signature Page to Omnibus Agreement

 


 

Exhibit A

 

Estimated Formation Taxes

   $600,000

 

A-1


 

Exhibit B

 

Federal         

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 24,697,692  

Estimated NOL Carryovers from Formation Transactions

   $ 11,167,761  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 35,865,453  
State         

Alabama NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 694,179  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 694,179  

Connecticut NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 662,503  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 662,503  

Delaware NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 589,957  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 589,957  

Georgia NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 0  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 0  

Maryland NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 7,503,304  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ (3,502,841 )
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 4,000,463  

New Jersey NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 753,021  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ (32,934 )
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 720,087  

 

B-1


New York NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 1,432  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 1,432  

Ohio NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 532,008  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ (339,601 )
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 192,407  

Pennsylvania NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 28,696,720  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 28,696,720  

Rhode Island NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 847,308  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 847,308  

Tennessee NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 0  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 0  

Virginia NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 0  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 0  

West Virginia NOL Carryovers

        

NOL Carryovers from the Operations of the Predecessor Entities

   $ 12,915,144  

Estimated NOL Carryover from Formation Transactions

   $ 0  
    


Total NOL Carryovers

   $ 12,915,144  

 

B-2

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Agreement effective as of September 20, 2004, (the “Effective Date”), by and between StoneMor GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Lawrence Miller (the “Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company are parties to an employment agreement effective as of March 31, 1999, which is currently in effect (the “Employment Arrangement”); and

 

WHEREAS, upon the Effective Date it is intended that the Employment Arrangement be amended and restated as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Term of Employment

 

Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall continue employment and shall serve the Company, in such capacities, with such duties and authority, for such period, at such level of compensation and with such benefits, and upon such other terms and subject to such other conditions, as are hereinafter set forth. The term of the Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless previously terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect for one year from the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for successive one-year additional periods unless, ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the Employment Period (if extended and if applicable), the Company or the Executive shall have given written notice to the other not to renew the Employment Period.

 

  2. Capacities, Duties and Authority

 

2.01. Effective on the Effective Date and throughout the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

2.02. In his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Executive shall have such authority, perform such duties, discharge such responsibilities and render such services as are consistent with the job and with directives from the Board of Directors of the Company (“Company’s Board”).

 

2.03. The Executive shall render his services diligently, faithfully and to the best of his ability, devoting thereto all of his business time, energy and skills on an exclusive basis and, without the prior written consent of the Company’s Board, the Executive shall not render services to or for the account of himself or any other person, firm or corporation other than the Company.

 


  3. Compensation

 

3.01. The Executive shall be paid a base salary during the Employment Period at the annual rate of three hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($350,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The Company’s Board or its Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) shall annually review the Executive’s performance and determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to increase the Executive’s base salary and, if so, the amount of such increase. The Executive’s base salary as in effect from time to time is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary”.

 

3.02. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus based upon satisfaction of mutually agreed upon targets established by the Company and approved by the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee on or around January 31 of each year for such year. The Executive may, at the Company’s discretion, receive a bonus of up to 50% of Base Salary for meeting budgeted goals if no such mutually agreed targets are established.

 

3.03. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s other discretionary bonus or performance-based bonus programs for senior executives of the Company on such terms and conditions as determined in the discretion of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

3.04. On or before January 15 of each year, the Executive shall be paid an amount equal to one-half of the tax imposed under Section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on all amounts paid or accrued to or for the benefit of the Executive under Section 3 (including this Section 3.04) or Section 4 or Section 5 of this Agreement or allocated to the Executive with respect to the Executive’s ownership of any interest in the Company that constitute self-employment income of the Executive with respect to the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

3.05. On or before January 15 of each year, the Executive shall be paid an amount equal to (a) all federal, state, and local income taxes on the excess of (i) any taxable income recognized by the Executive as a result of benefits provided to or for the benefit of the Executive for the immediately preceding calendar year under Section 4 of this Agreement over (ii) the amount of taxable income that would have been recognized by the Executive as a result of benefits provided to or for the benefit of the Executive for the immediately preceding calendar year under Section 4 of this Agreement if the Executive had been an employee and not a member of the Company, plus (b) an additional amount equal to all federal, state, and local income taxes on all payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Section 3.05.

 

  4. Employee Benefit Programs

 

4.01. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave generally made available to executive personnel of the Company and to participate in and have the benefit of all group life, disability, dental, hospital, surgical and major medical insurance

 

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plans and programs and other employee benefit plans and programs as generally are made available to executive personnel of the Company pursuant to the terms of said plans.

 

4.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive or participate in fringe benefit arrangements generally made available to executive personnel of the Company that provide automobile, club dues, tax services and financial planning in accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5. Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Stock Awards

 

5.01. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock or unit incentive plan adopted by the Company and approved by the Stockholders or Unitholders of the Company. If a stock or unit program is adopted, the Executive will receive an allotment (grant) commensurate with his level of responsibility in relation to other grants as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

5.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of restricted stock or units and other stock or unit awards (“Stock Awards”) in such amounts and subject to such terms as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

  6. Termination of Employment

 

6.01. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate:

 

a. upon the death of the Executive;

 

b. upon the Disability of the Executive, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean his inability because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, whether partial or total, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform his duties under this Agreement, for a continuous period of at least six (6) months or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days within any twelve (12) month period; or

 

c. for Cause at the option of the Company, exercisable by or upon the authority of the Company’s Board and effective immediately upon the giving by the Company to the Executive of written notice of such exercise, which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean:

 

(i) fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence which materially adversely affects the reputation or business activities of the Company or the Partnership and which continues after written notice thereof from the Board to the Person stating with specificity the alleged conduct and, if requested by the Person within 10 days thereafter, the Person is afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the Board; or

 

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(ii) any chemical dependence that materially adversely affects a Person’s performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company and for which the Person fails to undertake and maintain treatment within 15 days after requested by the Company.

 

d. at the option of the Executive, effective ten (10) business days after the end of the cure period provided below, (or such shorter period as the Company’s Board may elect by giving written notice to the Executive), in the event that the Executive has Good Reason, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the occurrence at any time of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

i. removal from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer set forth in Section 2.01;

 

ii. the relocation of the Company’s principal office to a location outside a 75-mile radius of its current location in Bristol, Pennsylvania;

 

iii. the assignment of duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with those customarily associated with the position held by the Executive or which materially impair the Executive’s abilities to perform his assigned duties or a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than an isolated action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof from the Executive);

 

iv. a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary payable pursuant to Paragraph 3.01 hereof or a material reduction in the aggregate in the other material benefits provided the Executive hereunder;

 

v. the failure by the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement; or

 

vi. any willful failure or willful breach by the Company (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (vi) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clause (vi) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Company’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Company not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Company’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company. For the purposes of any clause of this definition, the Executive has five (5) business days from the occurrence of any event mentioned herein to notify the Company’s Board of his intent to exercise his right to declare a “Good Reason”. If he fails to do so within five (5) business days, then the Executive will have waived his rights hereunder with respect to such event. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company has thirty (30) days within which to “cure” such event, if curable, and if “cured” by the Company within such period, such event shall not constitute a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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e. at the option of the Executive, for a reason other than Good Reason, effective upon thirty (30) days of the giving of written notice of such exercise.

 

6.02. Obligations of the Company upon Termination of Employment

 

a. Death . In the event of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the Executive’s death and his estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of the Executive’s death:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of his death;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of his death;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of his death;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s death occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s death occurs are met payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his death;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his death, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s death;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits for the Executive’s survivors covered by said benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

b. Disability . If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Disability during the Employment Period, either by the Company or by the Executive, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

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ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs are met, payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his Disability;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his Disability, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s Disability;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

c. Cause . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

d. Without Cause or With Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause or Disability) or if the Executive terminates his employment with Good Reason, the Employment Period shall end as of the effective date of

 

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termination and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within ten (10) business days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. any bonus payable pursuant to any bonus program, to the extent already earned but not paid with respect to the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs;

 

v. a lump sum amount equal to the product of Executive’s Base Salary (based on the Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment, and in the case of a termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason due to a reduction in Base Salary under Paragraph 6.01(d)(iv), based on the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction), multiplied by a factor of 2.50;

 

vi. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment;

 

vii. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment, with all stock options remaining exercisable until their expiration pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan;

 

viii. continued participation, as if he were an employee, in the Company’s medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance plans, programs and/or arrangements in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment on the same terms and conditions as other executives under such plans, programs and/or arrangements until the earlier of two (2) years; the date or dates, he receives substantially equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans, programs and/or arrangements of a subsequent employer or the date or dates on which such plans are terminated; provided, however, that should such continued coverage not be allowed under the Company’s plans, Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment, less contributions, if any, in an amount equal to the amount that the Company would have spent on Executive’s premiums, if any, for the same period; and

 

ix. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company (other than any severance payments payable under the terms of any benefit plan), including outplacement services consistent

 

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with the Company’s then existing practice for senior executives or, if there is no such then existing practice, consistent with the Company’s past practice for senior executives.

 

e. Without Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within 60 days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

6.03. Any payment under Paragraph 6.02 hereof shall be in lieu of any other severance, bonus or other payments (other than earned or vested benefits) to which the Executive might then be entitled pursuant to this Agreement, and any benefit plan or program of the Company or any statutory, common law or claim, subject, in each case, to the execution by the Executive and delivery to the Company of a comprehensive release of all claims related to his employment or termination thereof in a form to be provided by the Company. The Company’s obligations to make the payments under Paragraph 6.02 hereof, except in the case of a termination for Cause, shall not otherwise be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event the parties dispute whether the Executive shall be entitled to the payment hereunder, such payment shall not be deemed to be earned or otherwise vest hereunder until such time as the dispute is resolved in accordance with Paragraph 10.03 hereof.

 

6.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Company’s Board has reason to believe that there are circumstances which, if substantiated, would constitute Cause as defined herein, the Company immediately may suspend the Executive from employment without notice for such period of time as shall be reasonably necessary for the Company’s Board to ascertain whether such circumstances are substantiated. During such suspension, the Executive shall continue to be paid all compensation and provided all benefits hereunder; provided , however , that if the Executive has been indicted or otherwise formally charged by governmental authorities with any felony, the Company’s Board may in its sole discretion, and without limiting the Company’s Board’s discretion to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause, suspend the Executive without continuation of any compensation or benefits hereunder, pending final disposition of such criminal charge(s). Upon receiving notice of any such suspension, the Executive shall promptly leave the

 

8


premises of the Company and remain off such premises and the premises of StoneMor Operating LLC or any subsidiary thereof until further notice from the Company’s Board.

 

  7. Covenants of the Executive

 

7.01. During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

 

a. solicit, entice, persuade or induce any employee, director, officer, associate, consultant, agent or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her employment or engagement by the Company to become employed or engaged in competition with the Company by any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise other than a member of the Company, except in furtherance of his responsibility during the Employment Period; or

 

b. authorize or assist in the taking of such action by any third party.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 7.01, the terms “employee,” “director,” “officer,” “associate,” “consultant,” “agent,” and “independent contractor” shall include any person with such status at any time during the one (1) year prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment and for one year following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Executive shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Paragraph 7.01 by reason of an isolated act, or failure to act, not taken in bad faith.

 

7.02. During the Employment Period and for a period of and one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage, participate, make any financial investment in, or become employed by or render advisory or other services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise (the “Competing Enterprise”) which is engaged, directly or indirectly, during the Employment Period or at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, as the case may be, in any business of the type and character engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company in any state or marketing area in which the Company is doing business or is qualified to do business. The foregoing covenant shall not be construed to preclude the Executive from making any investments in the securities of any company, whether or not engaged in competition with the Company, to the extent that such securities are actively traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States or any foreign securities exchange and, after giving effect to such investment, the Executive does not beneficially own securities representing more than 5% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such company.

 

7.03. The covenant periods set forth in Paragraphs 7.01 and 7.02 may be terminated earlier as determined by the Company’s Board, in its sole discretion, if (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated other than for “Cause” as defined in Paragraph 6.01(c) and (ii) the Executive’s termination of employment does not occur within thirty (30) days of a “Change in Control.” For purposes of this Paragraph 7.03, a “Change in Control” is defined as (i) a bona fide sale of all of the ownership interest of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any person or entity other than an affiliate; or (ii) a merger, reorganization, consolidation, or other

 

9


transaction where more than 50% of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company ceases to be owned by persons or affiliates of persons who own such interests at the Effective Date of this Agreement; or (iii) acquisition of forty (40%) percent of equity interests of the Company by any person not currently part of Company ownership except where the person is an Employee Benefit Fund or one who effects the purchase at the request of or with approval of the Company Board.

 

7.04. During the Employment Period and thereafter without limit as to time, the Executive will not (other than in the regular course and in furtherance of the Company’s business) divulge, furnish or make available to any person any knowledge or information with respect to the business or affairs of the Company which is confidential, including, without limitation, “know-how,” trade secrets, customer lists, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition or disposition plans, new personnel employment plans, methods, technical processes, designs and design projects, inventions and research projects and financial budgets and forecasts of the Company except (1) information which at the time is available to others in the business or generally known to the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Company not permitted hereunder, and (2) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with purported or apparent jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. All memoranda, notes, lists, records, electronically stored data, recordings or videotapes and other documents (and all copies thereof) made or compiled by the Executive or made available to the Executive (whether during his employment by the Company or by any predecessor thereof) concerning the business of the Company or any predecessor thereof shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon the termination of the Employment Period.

 

7.05. The Executive acknowledges that all developments, including, without limitation, inventions, patentable or otherwise, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, ideas and writings that alone or jointly with others the Executive may conceive, make, develop or acquire during the period of his employment by the Company and any predecessor thereof (collectively, the “Developments”), are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title and interest in all such Developments. The Executive shall promptly and fully disclose all future Developments to the Company’s Board, and, at any time upon request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company all instruments that the Company shall prepare, give evidence, and take all other actions that are necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s counsel, to enable the Company to file and prosecute applications for and to acquire, maintain and enforce all letters patent, trademark registrations or copyrights covering the Developments in all countries in which the same are deemed necessary.

 

7.06. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, the Executive will have access to and be furnished with confidential information vital to the Company’s

 

10


business and that irreparable injury would be sustained by the Company in the event of his breach of any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 7, which injury could not be remedied adequately by the recovery of damages in an action at law. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, upon a breach or threatened breach by him of any of such covenants, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other remedies, to an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the commission or continuance of any such breach or threatened breach upon minimal bond, with or without surety, and that such an injunction will not work an undue hardship on him. The Executive acknowledges that the covenant periods set forth in this section shall be extended by the period of any breach by the Executive. Further, any proven breach by the Executive shall result in the forfeiture of any remaining payments of benefits due to the Executive hereunder.

 

7.07. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reasons therefore.

 

7.08. If any court determines that any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such provisions shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions. If any court construes any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the duration of such provision or the geographic scope thereof, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or restrict the geographic scope of such provision and to enforce such provision as so reduced or restricted.

 

  8. Reimbursement of Business Expense

 

During the Employment Period, the Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under the Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy.

 

  9. Indemnification

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s by-laws, the Company shall promptly indemnify the Executive for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)) incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with any action, proceeding, suit or investigation arising out of or relating to the performance by the Executive of services for (or acting as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements of) the Company, including as a director, officer or employee of the Company. The Company also agrees to maintain a director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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  10. Miscellaneous

 

10.01. This Agreement is intended to be performed in, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts, whichever is applicable, located in said state.

 

10.02. Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement shall incorporate the complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company or any predecessor thereof with respect to such subject matter (including the Employment Arrangement). No provision hereof may be modified or waived except by a written instrument duly executed by the Executive and the Company with the express approval of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

10.03. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association and such submission shall request the American Arbitration Association to: (i) appoint an arbitrator experienced and knowledgeable concerning the matter then in dispute who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators; (ii) require the testimony to be transcribed; (iii) require the award to be accompanied by findings of fact and a statement of reasons for the decision; and (iv) request the matter to be handled on an expedited basis. The determination of the arbitrator, which shall be based upon an interpretation of this Agreement, shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. All costs of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator shall be borne by the Company, unless the position advanced by the Executive is determined by the arbitrator to be frivolous in nature.

 

10.04. The Executive acknowledges that before entering into this Agreement he has received a reasonable period of time to consider this Agreement and has had sufficient time and an opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of his choice in connection with this Agreement and all matters contained herein, and that he has been advised to do so if he so chooses. The Executive further acknowledges that this Agreement and all terms hereof are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by the Company, that he has approved and entered into this Agreement and all of the terms hereof on his own free will, and that no promises or representations have been made to him by any person to induce him to enter into this Agreement other than the express terms set forth herein.

 

10.05. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from all compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement all amounts required to be deducted and withheld therefrom pursuant to any present or future law, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America or any state or local jurisdiction therein or any foreign taxing jurisdiction.

 

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10.06. Paragraph headings are included in this Agreement for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the text hereof.

 

10.07. Any and all notices, demands or other communications to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been fully given or made when personally delivered, or on the third business day after mailing from within the continental United States by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, PA 19007

 

Attention: William R. Shane, Executive Vice President & CFO

 

If to the Executive:

 

__________________

 

__________________

 

Either party may change the address to which any notices to it shall be sent by giving to the other party written notice of such change in conformity with the foregoing.

 

10.08. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.09. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to, and shall inure to the benefit of, any successor to substantially all the assets and business of the Company as a going concern, whether by merger, consolidation or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Company or otherwise, provided that such successor shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

10.10. The Company shall be deemed to have performed its obligations to make payments or provide benefits to the Executive under this Agreement if it has caused such payments to be made or benefits to be provided.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

STONEMOR GP, LLC
By:   / S /    W ILLIAM R. S HANE

Name:

 

William R. Shane

Title:

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

LAWRENCE MILLER
/ S /    L AWRENCE M ILLER

 

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Exhibit 10.6

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Agreement effective as of September 20, 2004, (the “Effective Date”), by and between StoneMor GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and William R. Shane (the “Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company are parties to an employment agreement effective as of March 31, 1999, which is currently in effect (the “Employment Arrangement”); and

 

WHEREAS, upon the Effective Date it is intended that the Employment Arrangement be amended and restated as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Term of Employment

 

Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall continue employment and shall serve the Company, in such capacities, with such duties and authority, for such period, at such level of compensation and with such benefits, and upon such other terms and subject to such other conditions, as are hereinafter set forth. The term of the Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless previously terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect for one year from the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for successive one-year additional periods unless, ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the Employment Period (if extended and if applicable), the Company or the Executive shall have given written notice to the other not to renew the Employment Period.

 

  2. Capacities, Duties and Authority

 

2.01. Effective on the Effective Date and throughout the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

2.02. In his capacity as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Executive shall have such authority, perform such duties, discharge such responsibilities and render such services as are consistent with the job and with directives from the Board of Directors of the Company (“Company’s Board”).

 

2.03. The Executive shall render his services diligently, faithfully and to the best of his ability, devoting thereto all of his business time, energy and skills on an exclusive basis and, without the prior written consent of the Company’s Board, the Executive shall not render services to or for the account of himself or any other person, firm or corporation other than the Company.

 


  3. Compensation

 

3.01. The Executive shall be paid a base salary during the Employment Period at the annual rate of three hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($350,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The Company’s Board or its Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) shall annually review the Executive’s performance and determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to increase the Executive’s base salary and, if so, the amount of such increase. The Executive’s base salary as in effect from time to time is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary”.

 

3.02. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus based upon satisfaction of mutually agreed upon targets established by the Company and approved by the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee on or around January 31 of each year for such year. The Executive may, at the Company’s discretion, receive a bonus of up to 50% of Base Salary for meeting budgeted goals if no such mutually agreed targets are established.

 

3.03. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s other discretionary bonus or performance-based bonus programs for senior executives of the Company on such terms and conditions as determined in the discretion of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

3.04. On or before January 15 of each year, the Executive shall be paid an amount equal to one-half of the tax imposed under Section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on all amounts paid or accrued to or for the benefit of the Executive under Section 3 (including this Section 3.04) or Section 4 or Section 5 of this Agreement or allocated to the Executive with respect to the Executive’s ownership of any interest in the Company that constitute self-employment income of the Executive with respect to the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

3.05. On or before January 15 of each year, the Executive shall be paid an amount equal to (a) all federal, state, and local income taxes on the excess of (i) any taxable income recognized by the Executive as a result of benefits provided to or for the benefit of the Executive for the immediately preceding calendar year under Section 4 of this Agreement over (ii) the amount of taxable income that would have been recognized by the Executive as a result of benefits provided to or for the benefit of the Executive for the immediately preceding calendar year under Section 4 of this Agreement if the Executive had been an employee and not a member of the Company, plus (b) an additional amount equal to all federal, state, and local income taxes on all payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Section 3.05.

 

  4. Employee Benefit Programs

 

4.01. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave generally made available to executive personnel of the Company and to participate in and have the benefit of all group life, disability, dental, hospital, surgical and major medical insurance

 

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plans and programs and other employee benefit plans and programs as generally are made available to executive personnel of the Company pursuant to the terms of said plans.

 

4.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive or participate in fringe benefit arrangements generally made available to executive personnel of the Company that provide automobile, club dues, tax services and financial planning in accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5. Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Stock Awards

 

5.01. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock or unit incentive plan adopted by the Company and approved by the Stockholders or Unitholders of the Company. If a stock or unit program is adopted, the Executive will receive an allotment (grant) commensurate with his level of responsibility in relation to other grants as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

5.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of restricted stock or units and other stock or unit awards (“Stock Awards”) in such amounts and subject to such terms as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

  6. Termination of Employment

 

6.01. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate:

 

a. upon the death of the Executive;

 

b. upon the Disability of the Executive, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean his inability because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, whether partial or total, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform his duties under this Agreement, for a continuous period of at least six (6) months or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days within any twelve (12) month period; or

 

c. for Cause at the option of the Company, exercisable by or upon the authority of the Company’s Board and effective immediately upon the giving by the Company to the Executive of written notice of such exercise, which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean:

 

(i) fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence which materially adversely affects the reputation or business activities of the Company or the Partnership and which continues after written notice thereof from the Board to the Person stating with specificity the alleged conduct and, if requested by the Person within 10 days thereafter, the Person is afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the Board; or

 

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(ii) any chemical dependence that materially adversely affects a Person’s performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company and for which the Person fails to undertake and maintain treatment within 15 days after requested by the Company.

 

d. at the option of the Executive, effective ten (10) business days after the end of the cure period provided below, (or such shorter period as the Company’s Board may elect by giving written notice to the Executive), in the event that the Executive has Good Reason, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the occurrence at any time of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

i. removal from the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer set forth in Section 2.01;

 

ii. the relocation of the Company’s principal office to a location outside a 75-mile radius of its current location in Bristol, Pennsylvania;

 

iii. the assignment of duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with those customarily associated with the position held by the Executive or which materially impair the Executive’s abilities to perform his assigned duties or a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than an isolated action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof from the Executive);

 

iv. a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary payable pursuant to Paragraph 3.01 hereof or a material reduction in the aggregate in the other material benefits provided the Executive hereunder;

 

v. the failure by the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement; or

 

vi. any willful failure or willful breach by the Company (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (vi) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clause (vi) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Company’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Company not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Company’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company. For the purposes of any clause of this definition, the Executive has five (5) business days from the occurrence of any event mentioned herein to notify the Company’s Board of his intent to exercise his right to declare a “Good Reason”. If he fails to do so within five (5) business days, then the Executive will have waived his rights hereunder with respect to such event. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company has thirty (30) days within which to “cure” such event, if curable, and if “cured” by the Company within such period, such event shall not constitute a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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e. at the option of the Executive, for a reason other than Good Reason, effective upon thirty (30) days of the giving of written notice of such exercise.

 

6.02. Obligations of the Company upon Termination of Employment

 

a. Death . In the event of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the Executive’s death and his estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of the Executive’s death:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of his death;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of his death;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of his death;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s death occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s death occurs are met payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his death;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his death, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s death;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits for the Executive’s survivors covered by said benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

b. Disability . If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Disability during the Employment Period, either by the Company or by the Executive, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

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ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs are met, payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his Disability;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his Disability, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s Disability;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

c. Cause . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

d. Without Cause or With Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause or Disability) or if the Executive terminates his employment with Good Reason, the Employment Period shall end as of the effective date of

 

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termination and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within ten (10) business days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. any bonus payable pursuant to any bonus program, to the extent already earned but not paid with respect to the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs;

 

v. a lump sum amount equal to the product of Executive’s Base Salary (based on the Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment, and in the case of a termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason due to a reduction in Base Salary under Paragraph 6.01(d)(iv), based on the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction), multiplied by a factor of 2.50;

 

vi. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment;

 

vii. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment, with all stock options remaining exercisable until their expiration pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan;

 

viii. continued participation, as if he were an employee, in the Company’s medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance plans, programs and/or arrangements in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment on the same terms and conditions as other executives under such plans, programs and/or arrangements until the earlier of two (2) years; the date or dates, he receives substantially equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans, programs and/or arrangements of a subsequent employer or the date or dates on which such plans are terminated; provided, however, that should such continued coverage not be allowed under the Company’s plans, Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment, less contributions, if any, in an amount equal to the amount that the Company would have spent on Executive’s premiums, if any, for the same period; and

 

ix. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company (other than any severance payments payable under the terms of any benefit plan), including outplacement services consistent

 

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with the Company’s then existing practice for senior executives or, if there is no such then existing practice, consistent with the Company’s past practice for senior executives.

 

e. Without Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within 60 days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

6.03. Any payment under Paragraph 6.02 hereof shall be in lieu of any other severance, bonus or other payments (other than earned or vested benefits) to which the Executive might then be entitled pursuant to this Agreement, and any benefit plan or program of the Company or any statutory, common law or claim, subject, in each case, to the execution by the Executive and delivery to the Company of a comprehensive release of all claims related to his employment or termination thereof in a form to be provided by the Company. The Company’s obligations to make the payments under Paragraph 6.02 hereof, except in the case of a termination for Cause, shall not otherwise be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event the parties dispute whether the Executive shall be entitled to the payment hereunder, such payment shall not be deemed to be earned or otherwise vest hereunder until such time as the dispute is resolved in accordance with Paragraph 10.03 hereof.

 

6.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Company’s Board has reason to believe that there are circumstances which, if substantiated, would constitute Cause as defined herein, the Company immediately may suspend the Executive from employment without notice for such period of time as shall be reasonably necessary for the Company’s Board to ascertain whether such circumstances are substantiated. During such suspension, the Executive shall continue to be paid all compensation and provided all benefits hereunder; provided , however , that if the Executive has been indicted or otherwise formally charged by governmental authorities with any felony, the Company’s Board may in its sole discretion, and without limiting the Company’s Board’s discretion to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause, suspend the Executive without continuation of any compensation or benefits hereunder, pending final disposition of such criminal charge(s). Upon receiving notice of any such suspension, the Executive shall promptly leave the

 

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premises of the Company and remain off such premises and the premises of StoneMor Operating LLC or any subsidiary thereof until further notice from the Company’s Board.

 

  7. Covenants of the Executive

 

7.01. During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

 

a. solicit, entice, persuade or induce any employee, director, officer, associate, consultant, agent or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her employment or engagement by the Company to become employed or engaged in competition with the Company by any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise other than a member of the Company, except in furtherance of his responsibility during the Employment Period; or

 

b. authorize or assist in the taking of such action by any third party.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 7.01, the terms “employee,” “director,” “officer,” “associate,” “consultant,” “agent,” and “independent contractor” shall include any person with such status at any time during the one (1) year prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment and for one year following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Executive shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Paragraph 7.01 by reason of an isolated act, or failure to act, not taken in bad faith.

 

7.02. During the Employment Period and for a period of and one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage, participate, make any financial investment in, or become employed by or render advisory or other services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise (the “Competing Enterprise”) which is engaged, directly or indirectly, during the Employment Period or at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, as the case may be, in any business of the type and character engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company in any state or marketing area in which the Company is doing business or is qualified to do business. The foregoing covenant shall not be construed to preclude the Executive from making any investments in the securities of any company, whether or not engaged in competition with the Company, to the extent that such securities are actively traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States or any foreign securities exchange and, after giving effect to such investment, the Executive does not beneficially own securities representing more than 5% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such company.

 

7.03. The covenant periods set forth in Paragraphs 7.01 and 7.02 may be terminated earlier as determined by the Company’s Board, in its sole discretion, if (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated other than for “Cause” as defined in Paragraph 6.01(c) and (ii) the Executive’s termination of employment does not occur within thirty (30) days of a “Change in Control.” For purposes of this Paragraph 7.03, a “Change in Control” is defined as (i) a bona fide sale of all of the ownership interest of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any person or entity other than an affiliate; or (ii) a merger, reorganization, consolidation, or other

 

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transaction where more than 50% of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company ceases to be owned by persons or affiliates of persons who own such interests at the Effective Date of this Agreement; or (iii) acquisition of forty (40%) percent of equity interests of the Company by any person not currently part of Company ownership except where the person is an Employee Benefit Fund or one who effects the purchase at the request of or with approval of the Company Board.

 

7.04. During the Employment Period and thereafter without limit as to time, the Executive will not (other than in the regular course and in furtherance of the Company’s business) divulge, furnish or make available to any person any knowledge or information with respect to the business or affairs of the Company which is confidential, including, without limitation, “know-how,” trade secrets, customer lists, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition or disposition plans, new personnel employment plans, methods, technical processes, designs and design projects, inventions and research projects and financial budgets and forecasts of the Company except (1) information which at the time is available to others in the business or generally known to the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Company not permitted hereunder, and (2) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with purported or apparent jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. All memoranda, notes, lists, records, electronically stored data, recordings or videotapes and other documents (and all copies thereof) made or compiled by the Executive or made available to the Executive (whether during his employment by the Company or by any predecessor thereof) concerning the business of the Company or any predecessor thereof shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon the termination of the Employment Period.

 

7.05. The Executive acknowledges that all developments, including, without limitation, inventions, patentable or otherwise, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, ideas and writings that alone or jointly with others the Executive may conceive, make, develop or acquire during the period of his employment by the Company and any predecessor thereof (collectively, the “Developments”), are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title and interest in all such Developments. The Executive shall promptly and fully disclose all future Developments to the Company’s Board, and, at any time upon request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company all instruments that the Company shall prepare, give evidence, and take all other actions that are necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s counsel, to enable the Company to file and prosecute applications for and to acquire, maintain and enforce all letters patent, trademark registrations or copyrights covering the Developments in all countries in which the same are deemed necessary.

 

7.06. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, the Executive will have access to and be furnished with confidential information vital to the Company’s

 

10


business and that irreparable injury would be sustained by the Company in the event of his breach of any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 7, which injury could not be remedied adequately by the recovery of damages in an action at law. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, upon a breach or threatened breach by him of any of such covenants, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other remedies, to an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the commission or continuance of any such breach or threatened breach upon minimal bond, with or without surety, and that such an injunction will not work an undue hardship on him. The Executive acknowledges that the covenant periods set forth in this section shall be extended by the period of any breach by the Executive. Further, any proven breach by the Executive shall result in the forfeiture of any remaining payments of benefits due to the Executive hereunder.

 

7.07. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reasons therefore.

 

7.08. If any court determines that any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such provisions shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions. If any court construes any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the duration of such provision or the geographic scope thereof, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or restrict the geographic scope of such provision and to enforce such provision as so reduced or restricted.

 

  8. Reimbursement of Business Expense

 

During the Employment Period, the Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under the Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy.

 

  9. Indemnification

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s by-laws, the Company shall promptly indemnify the Executive for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)) incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with any action, proceeding, suit or investigation arising out of or relating to the performance by the Executive of services for (or acting as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements of) the Company, including as a director, officer or employee of the Company. The Company also agrees to maintain a director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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  10. Miscellaneous

 

10.01. This Agreement is intended to be performed in, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts, whichever is applicable, located in said state.

 

10.02. Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement shall incorporate the complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company or any predecessor thereof with respect to such subject matter (including the Employment Arrangement). No provision hereof may be modified or waived except by a written instrument duly executed by the Executive and the Company with the express approval of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

10.03. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association and such submission shall request the American Arbitration Association to: (i) appoint an arbitrator experienced and knowledgeable concerning the matter then in dispute who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators; (ii) require the testimony to be transcribed; (iii) require the award to be accompanied by findings of fact and a statement of reasons for the decision; and (iv) request the matter to be handled on an expedited basis. The determination of the arbitrator, which shall be based upon an interpretation of this Agreement, shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. All costs of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator shall be borne by the Company, unless the position advanced by the Executive is determined by the arbitrator to be frivolous in nature.

 

10.04. The Executive acknowledges that before entering into this Agreement he has received a reasonable period of time to consider this Agreement and has had sufficient time and an opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of his choice in connection with this Agreement and all matters contained herein, and that he has been advised to do so if he so chooses. The Executive further acknowledges that this Agreement and all terms hereof are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by the Company, that he has approved and entered into this Agreement and all of the terms hereof on his own free will, and that no promises or representations have been made to him by any person to induce him to enter into this Agreement other than the express terms set forth herein.

 

10.05. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from all compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement all amounts required to be deducted and withheld therefrom pursuant to any present or future law, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America or any state or local jurisdiction therein or any foreign taxing jurisdiction.

 

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10.06. Paragraph headings are included in this Agreement for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the text hereof.

 

10.07. Any and all notices, demands or other communications to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been fully given or made when personally delivered, or on the third business day after mailing from within the continental United States by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, PA 19007

 

Attention: Lawrence Miller, President & CEO

 

If to the Executive:

 

____________________

 

____________________

 

Either party may change the address to which any notices to it shall be sent by giving to the other party written notice of such change in conformity with the foregoing.

 

10.08. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.09. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to, and shall inure to the benefit of, any successor to substantially all the assets and business of the Company as a going concern, whether by merger, consolidation or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Company or otherwise, provided that such successor shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

10.10. The Company shall be deemed to have performed its obligations to make payments or provide benefits to the Executive under this Agreement if it has caused such payments to be made or benefits to be provided.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

STONEMOR GP, LLC

By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name: Lawrence Miller

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

WILLIAM R. SHANE

/s/    William R. Shane

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Agreement effective as of September 20, 2004, (the “Effective Date”), by and between StoneMor GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Michael L. Stache (the “Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company wish to enter into an employment agreement upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Term of Employment

 

Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall continue employment and shall serve the Company, in such capacities, with such duties and authority, for such period, at such level of compensation and with such benefits, and upon such other terms and subject to such other conditions, as are hereinafter set forth. The term of the Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless previously terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect for one year from the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for successive one-year additional periods unless, ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the Employment Period (if extended and if applicable), the Company or the Executive shall have given written notice to the other not to renew the Employment Period.

 

  2. Capacities, Duties and Authority

 

2.01. Effective on the Effective Date and throughout the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

2.02. In his capacity as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, the Executive shall have such authority, perform such duties, discharge such responsibilities and render such services as are consistent with the job and with directives from the Board of Directors of the Company (“Company’s Board”).

 

2.03. The Executive shall render his services diligently, faithfully and to the best of his ability, devoting thereto all of his business time, energy and skills on an exclusive basis and, without the prior written consent of the Company’s Board, the Executive shall not render services to or for the account of himself or any other person, firm or corporation other than the Company.

 


  3. Compensation

 

3.01. The Executive shall be paid a base salary during the Employment Period at the annual rate of two hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The Company’s Board or its Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) shall annually review the Executive’s performance and determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to increase the Executive’s base salary and, if so, the amount of such increase. The Executive’s base salary as in effect from time to time is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary.”

 

3.02. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus based upon satisfaction of mutually agreed upon targets established by the Company and approved by the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee on or around January 31 of each year for such year. The Executive may, at the Company’s discretion, receive a bonus of up to 50% of base salary for meeting budgeted goals if no such mutually agreed targets are established.

 

3.03. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s other discretionary bonus or performance-based bonus programs for senior executives of the Company on such terms and conditions as determined in the discretion of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

  4. Employee Benefit Programs

 

4.01. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave generally made available to executive personnel of the Company and to participate in and have the benefit of all group life, disability, dental, hospital, surgical and major medical insurance plans and programs and other employee benefit plans and programs as generally are made available to executive personnel of the Company pursuant to the terms of said plans.

 

4.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive or participate in fringe benefit arrangements generally made available to executive personnel of the Company that provide automobile, club dues, tax services and financial planning in accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5. Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Stock Awards

 

5.01. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock or unit incentive plan adopted by the Company and approved by the Stockholders or Unitholders of the Company. If a stock or unit program is adopted, the Executive will receive an allotment (grant) commensurate with his level of responsibility in relation to other grants as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

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5.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of restricted stock or units and other stock or unit awards (“Stock Awards”) in such amounts and subject to such terms as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

  6. Termination of Employment

 

6.01. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate:

 

a. upon the death of the Executive;

 

b. upon the Disability of the Executive, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean his inability because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, whether partial or total, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform his duties under this Agreement, for a continuous period of at least six (6) months or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days within any twelve (12) month period; or

 

c. for Cause at the option of the Company, exercisable by or upon the authority of the Company’s Board and effective immediately upon the giving by the Company to the Executive of written notice of such exercise, which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean:

 

i. the gross neglect or willful failure by the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities in all material respects as set forth in Paragraph 2.02 hereof, after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Company’s Board which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company’s Board believes that the Executive has not so performed his duties and such failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after the written notice thereof to the Executive by the Company’s Board;

 

ii. any act of fraud by the Executive, whether relating to the Company or otherwise;

 

iii. the conviction or entry into a plea of nolo contendere by the Executive with respect to any felony or misdemeanor (other than a traffic offense which does not result in imprisonment);

 

iv. the commission by the Executive of any willful or intentional act (including any violation of law) which materially injures the reputation or materially adversely affects the business or business relationships of the Company; or

 

v. any willful failure or willful breach (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (iv) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clauses (i), (iv) and (v) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company.

 

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d. at the option of the Executive, effective ten (10) business days after the end of the cure period provided below, (or such shorter period as the Company’s Board may elect by giving written notice to the Executive), in the event that the Executive has Good Reason, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the occurrence at any time of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

i. removal from the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer set forth in Section 2.01;

 

ii. the relocation of the Company’s principal office to a location outside a 75-mile radius of its current location in Bristol, Pennsylvania;

 

iii. the assignment of duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with those customarily associated with the position held by the Executive or which materially impair the Executive’s abilities to perform his assigned duties or a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than an isolated action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof from the Executive);

 

iv. a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary payable pursuant to Paragraph 3.01 hereof or a material reduction in the aggregate in the other material benefits provided the Executive hereunder;

 

v. the failure by the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement; or

 

vi. any willful failure or willful breach by the Company (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (vi) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clause (vi) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Company’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Company not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Company’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company. For the purposes of any clause of this definition, the Executive has five (5) business days from the occurrence of any event mentioned herein to notify the Company’s Board of his intent to exercise his right to declare a “Good Reason”. If he fails to do so within five (5) business days, then the Executive will have waived his rights hereunder with respect to such event. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company has thirty (30) days within which to “cure” such event, if curable, and if “cured” by the Company within such period, such event shall not constitute a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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e. at the option of the Executive, for a reason other than Good Reason, effective upon thirty (30) days of the giving of written notice of such exercise.

 

6.02. Obligations of the Company upon Termination of Employment

 

a. Death . In the event of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the Executive’s death and his estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of the Executive’s death:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of his death;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of his death;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of his death;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s death occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s death occurs are met payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his death;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his death, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s death;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits for the Executive’s survivors covered by said benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

b. Disability . If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Disability during the Employment Period, either by the Company or by the Executive, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

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ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs are met, payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his Disability;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his Disability, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s Disability;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

c. Cause . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

d. Without Cause or With Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause or Disability) or if the Executive terminates his employment with Good Reason, the Employment Period shall end as of the effective date of

 

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termination and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within ten (10) business days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. any bonus payable pursuant to any bonus program, to the extent already earned but not paid with respect to the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs

 

v. a lump sum amount equal to the product of Executive’s Base Salary (based on the Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment, and in the case of a termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason due to a reduction in Base Salary under Paragraph 6.01(d)(iv), based on the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction), multiplied by a factor of 2.50;

 

vi. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment;

 

vii. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment, with all stock options remaining exercisable until their expiration pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan;

 

viii. continued participation, as if he were an employee, in the Company’s medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance plans, programs and/or arrangements in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment on the same terms and conditions as other executives under such plans, programs and/or arrangements until the earlier of two (2) years; the date, or dates, he receives substantially equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans, programs and/or arrangements of a subsequent employer or the date or dates on which such plans are terminated; provided, however, that should such continued coverage not be allowed under the Company’s plans, Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment, if any, in an amount equal to the amount that the Company would have spent on Executive’s premiums for the same period; and

 

ix. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company (other than any severance payments payable under the terms of any benefit plan), including outplacement services consistent

 

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with the Company’s then existing practice for senior executives or, if there is no such then existing practice, consistent with the Company’s past practice for senior executives.

 

e. Without Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within 60 days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

6.03. Any payment under Paragraph 6.02 hereof shall be in lieu of any other severance, bonus or other payments (other than earned or vested benefits) to which the Executive might then be entitled pursuant to this Agreement, any benefit plan or program of the Company or any statutory, common law or other claim, subject, in each case, to the execution by the Executive and delivery to the Company of a comprehensive release of all claims related to his employment or termination thereof in a form to be provided by the Company. The Company’s obligations to make the payments under Paragraph 6.02 hereof, except in the case of a termination for Cause, shall not otherwise be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event the parties dispute whether the Executive shall be entitled to the payment hereunder, such payment shall not be deemed to be earned or otherwise vest hereunder until such time as the dispute is resolved in accordance with Paragraph 10.03 hereof.

 

6.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Company’s Board has reason to believe that there are circumstances which, if substantiated, would constitute Cause as defined herein, the Company immediately may suspend the Executive from employment without notice for such period of time as shall be reasonably necessary for the Company’s Board to ascertain whether such circumstances are substantiated. During such suspension, the Executive shall continue to be paid all compensation and provided all benefits hereunder; provided , however , that if the Executive has been indicted or otherwise formally charged by governmental authorities with any felony, the Company’s Board may in its sole discretion, and without limiting the Company’s Board’s discretion to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause, suspend the Executive without continuation of any compensation or benefits hereunder, pending final disposition of such criminal charge(s). Upon receiving notice of any such suspension, the Executive shall promptly leave the

 

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premises of the Company and remain off such premises and the premises of StoneMor Operating LLC or any subsidiary thereof until further notice from the Company’s Board.

 

  7. Covenants of the Executive

 

7.01. During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

 

a. solicit, entice, persuade or induce any employee, director, officer, associate, consultant, agent or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her employment or engagement by the Company to become employed or engaged in competition with the Company by any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise other than a member of the Company, except in furtherance of his responsibility during the Employment Period; or

 

b. authorize or assist in the taking of such action by any third party.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 7.01, the terms “employee,” “director,” “officer,” “associate,” “consultant,” “agent,” and “independent contractor” shall include any person with such status at any time during the one (1) year prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment and for one year following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Executive shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Paragraph 7.01 by reason of an isolated act, or failure to act, not taken in bad faith.

 

7.02. During the Employment Period and for a period of and one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage, participate, make any financial investment in, or become employed by or render advisory or other services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise (the “Competing Enterprise”) which is engaged, directly or indirectly, during the Employment Period or at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, as the case may be, in any business of the type and character engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company in any state or marketing area in which the Company is doing business or is qualified to do business. The foregoing covenant shall not be construed to preclude the Executive from making any investments in the securities of any company, whether or not engaged in competition with the Company, to the extent that such securities are actively traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States or any foreign securities exchange and, after giving effect to such investment, the Executive does not beneficially own securities representing more than 5% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such company.

 

7.03. The covenant periods set forth in Paragraphs 7.01 and 7.02 may be terminated earlier as determined by the Company’s Board, in its sole discretion, if (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated other than for “Cause” as defined in Paragraph 6.01(c) and (ii) the Executive’s termination of employment does not occur within thirty (30) days of a “Change in Control.” For purposes of this Paragraph 7.03, a “Change in Control” is defined as (i) a bona fide sale of all of the ownership interest of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any person or entity other than an affiliate; or (ii) a merger, reorganization, consolidation, or other

 

9


transaction where more than 50% of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company ceases to be owned by persons or affiliates of persons including who own such interests at the Effective Date of this Agreement; or (iii) acquisition of forty (40%) percent of equity interests of the Company by any person not currently part of Company ownership except where the person is an Employee Benefit Fund or one who effects the purchase at the request of or with approval of the Company Board.

 

7.04. During the Employment Period and thereafter without limit as to time, the Executive will not (other than in the regular course and in furtherance of the Company’s business) divulge, furnish or make available to any person any knowledge or information with respect to the business or affairs of the Company which is confidential, including, without limitation, “know-how,” trade secrets, customer lists, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition or disposition plans, new personnel employment plans, methods, technical processes, designs and design projects, inventions and research projects and financial budgets and forecasts of the Company except (1) information which at the time is available to others in the business or generally known to the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Company not permitted hereunder, and (2) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with purported or apparent jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. All memoranda, notes, lists, records, electronically stored data, recordings or videotapes and other documents (and all copies thereof) made or compiled by the Executive or made available to the Executive (whether during his employment by the Company or by any predecessor thereof) concerning the business of the Company or any predecessor thereof shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon the termination of the Employment Period.

 

7.05. The Executive acknowledges that all developments, including, without limitation, inventions, patentable or otherwise, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, ideas and writings that alone or jointly with others the Executive may conceive, make, develop or acquire during the period of his employment by the Company and any predecessor thereof (collectively, the “Developments”), are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title and interest in all such Developments. The Executive shall promptly and fully disclose all future Developments to the Company’s Board, and, at any time upon request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company all instruments that the Company shall prepare, give evidence, and take all other actions that are necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s counsel, to enable the Company to file and prosecute applications for and to acquire, maintain and enforce all letters patent, trademark registrations or copyrights covering the Developments in all countries in which the same are deemed necessary.

 

7.06. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, the Executive will have access to and be furnished with confidential information vital to the Company’s

 

10


business and that irreparable injury would be sustained by the Company in the event of his breach of any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 7, which injury could not be remedied adequately by the recovery of damages in an action at law. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, upon a breach or threatened breach by him of any of such covenants, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other remedies, to an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the commission or continuance of any such breach or threatened breach upon minimal bond, with or without surety, and that such an injunction will not work an undue hardship on him. The Executive acknowledges that the covenant periods set forth in this section shall be extended by the period of any breach by the Executive. Further, any proven breach by the Executive shall result in the forfeiture of any remaining payments of benefits due to the Executive hereunder.

 

7.07. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reasons therefore.

 

7.08. If any court determines that any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such provisions shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions. If any court construes any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the duration of such provision or the geographic scope thereof, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or restrict the geographic scope of such provision and to enforce such provision as so reduced or restricted.

 

  8. Reimbursement of Business Expense

 

During the Employment Period, the Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under the Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy.

 

  9. Indemnification

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s by-laws, the Company shall promptly indemnify the Executive for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)) incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with any action, proceeding, suit or investigation arising out of or relating to the performance by the Executive of services for (or acting as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements of) the Company, including as a director, officer or employee of the Company. The Company also agrees to maintain a director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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  10. Miscellaneous

 

10.01. This Agreement is intended to be performed in, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts, whichever is applicable, located in said state.

 

10.02. Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement shall incorporate the complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company or any predecessor thereof with respect to such subject matter. No provision hereof may be modified or waived except by a written instrument duly executed by the Executive and the Company with the express approval of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

10.03. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association and such submission shall request the American Arbitration Association to: (i) appoint an arbitrator experienced and knowledgeable concerning the matter then in dispute who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators; (ii) require the testimony to be transcribed; (iii) require the award to be accompanied by findings of fact and a statement of reasons for the decision; and (iv) request the matter to be handled on an expedited basis. The determination of the arbitrator, which shall be based upon an interpretation of this Agreement, shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. All costs of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator shall be borne by the Company, unless the position advanced by the Executive is determined by the arbitrator to be frivolous in nature.

 

10.04. The Executive acknowledges that before entering into this Agreement he has received a reasonable period of time to consider this Agreement and has had sufficient time and an opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of his choice in connection with this Agreement and all matters contained herein, and that he has been advised to do so if he so chooses. The Executive further acknowledges that this Agreement and all terms hereof are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by the Company, that he has approved and entered into this Agreement and all of the terms hereof on his own free will, and that no promises or representations have been made to him by any person to induce him to enter into this Agreement other than the express terms set forth herein.

 

10.05. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from all compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement all amounts required to be deducted and withheld therefrom pursuant to any present or future law, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America or any state or local jurisdiction therein or any foreign taxing jurisdiction.

 

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10.06. Paragraph headings are included in this Agreement for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the text hereof.

 

10.07. Any and all notices, demands or other communications to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been fully given or made when personally delivered, or on the third business day after mailing from within the continental United States by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, PA 19007

 

Attention: Lawrence Miller, President & CEO

 

If to the Executive:

 

__________________

__________________

 

Either party may change the address to which any notices to it shall be sent by giving to the other party written notice of such change in conformity with the foregoing.

 

10.08. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.09. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to, and shall inure to the benefit of, any successor to substantially all the assets and business of the Company as a going concern, whether by merger, consolidation or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Company or otherwise, provided that such successor shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

10.10. The Company shall be deemed to have performed its obligations to make payments or provide benefits to the Executive under this Agreement if it has caused such payments to be made or benefits to be provided.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

STONEMOR GP, LLC

By:

 

/s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

MICHAEL L. STACHE

 

/s/    Michael L. Stache

 

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Exhibit 10.8

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Agreement effective as of September 20, 2004, (the “Effective Date”), by and between StoneMor GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Robert P. Stache (the “Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company wish to enter into an employment agreement upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Term of Employment

 

Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall continue employment and shall serve the Company, in such capacities, with such duties and authority, for such period, at such level of compensation and with such benefits, and upon such other terms and subject to such other conditions, as are hereinafter set forth. The term of the Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless previously terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect for one year from the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for successive one-year additional periods unless, ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the Employment Period (if extended and if applicable), the Company or the Executive shall have given written notice to the other not to renew the Employment Period.

 

  2. Capacities, Duties and Authority

 

2.01. Effective on the Effective Date and throughout the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as Senior Vice President - Sales.

 

2.02. In his capacity as Senior Vice President - Sales of the Company, the Executive shall have such authority, perform such duties, discharge such responsibilities and render such services as are consistent with the job and with directives from the Board of Directors of the Company (“Company’s Board”).

 

2.03. The Executive shall render his services diligently, faithfully and to the best of his ability, devoting thereto all of his business time, energy and skills on an exclusive basis and, without the prior written consent of the Company’s Board, the Executive shall not render services to or for the account of himself or any other person, firm or corporation other than the Company.

 


  3. Compensation

 

3.01. The Executive shall be paid a base salary during the Employment Period at the annual rate of two hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The Company’s Board or its Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) shall annually review the Executive’s performance and determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to increase the Executive’s base salary and, if so, the amount of such increase. The Executive’s base salary as in effect from time to time is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Salary.”

 

3.02. The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus based upon satisfaction of mutually agreed upon targets established by the Company and approved by the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee on or around January 31 of each year for such year. The Executive may, at the Company’s discretion, receive a bonus of up to 50% of base salary for meeting budgeted goals if no such mutually agreed targets are established.

 

3.03. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s other discretionary bonus or performance-based bonus programs for senior executives of the Company on such terms and conditions as determined in the discretion of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

  4. Employee Benefit Programs

 

4.01. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave generally made available to executive personnel of the Company and to participate in and have the benefit of all group life, disability, dental, hospital, surgical and major medical insurance plans and programs and other employee benefit plans and programs as generally are made available to executive personnel of the Company pursuant to the terms of said plans.

 

4.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive or participate in fringe benefit arrangements generally made available to executive personnel of the Company that provide automobile, club dues, tax services and financial planning in accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5. Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Other Stock Awards

 

5.01. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock or unit incentive plan adopted by the Company and approved by the Stockholders or Unitholders of the Company. If a stock or unit program is adopted, the Executive will receive an allotment (grant) commensurate with his level of responsibility in relation to other grants as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

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5.02. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive grants of restricted stock or units and other stock or unit awards (“Stock Awards”) in such amounts and subject to such terms as determined by the Company’s Board in its sole discretion.

 

  6. Termination of Employment

 

6.01. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate:

 

a. upon the death of the Executive;

 

b. upon the Disability of the Executive, which for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean his inability because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, whether partial or total, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform his duties under this Agreement, for a continuous period of at least six (6) months or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days within any twelve (12) month period; or

 

c. for Cause at the option of the Company, exercisable by or upon the authority of the Company’s Board and effective immediately upon the giving by the Company to the Executive of written notice of such exercise, which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean:

 

i. the gross neglect or willful failure by the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities in all material respects as set forth in Paragraph 2.02 hereof, after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Company’s Board which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company’s Board believes that the Executive has not so performed his duties and such failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after the written notice thereof to the Executive by the Company’s Board;

 

ii. any act of fraud by the Executive, whether relating to the Company or otherwise;

 

iii. the conviction or entry into a plea of nolo contendere by the Executive with respect to any felony or misdemeanor (other than a traffic offense which does not result in imprisonment);

 

iv. the commission by the Executive of any willful or intentional act (including any violation of law) which materially injures the reputation or materially adversely affects the business or business relationships of the Company; or

 

v. any willful failure or willful breach (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (iv) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clauses (i), (iv) and (v) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company.

 

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d. at the option of the Executive, effective ten (10) business days after the end of the cure period provided below, (or such shorter period as the Company’s Board may elect by giving written notice to the Executive), in the event that the Executive has Good Reason, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the occurrence at any time of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent:

 

i. removal from the position of Senior Vice President - Sales set forth in Section 2.01;

 

ii. the relocation of the Company’s principal office to a location outside a 75-mile radius of its current location in Bristol, Pennsylvania;

 

iii. the assignment of duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with those customarily associated with the position held by the Executive or which materially impair the Executive’s abilities to perform his assigned duties or a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than an isolated action that is not taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of written notice thereof from the Executive);

 

iv. a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary payable pursuant to Paragraph 3.01 hereof or a material reduction in the aggregate in the other material benefits provided the Executive hereunder;

 

v. the failure by the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement; or

 

vi. any willful failure or willful breach by the Company (not covered by any of clauses (i) through (vi) above) of any of the material obligations of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of clause (vi) of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the Company’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Company not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Company’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company. For the purposes of any clause of this definition, the Executive has five (5) business days from the occurrence of any event mentioned herein to notify the Company’s Board of his intent to exercise his right to declare a “Good Reason”. If he fails to do so within five (5) business days, then the Executive will have waived his rights hereunder with respect to such event. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company has thirty (30) days within which to “cure” such event, if curable, and if “cured” by the Company within such period, such event shall not constitute a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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e. at the option of the Executive, for a reason other than Good Reason, effective upon thirty (30) days of the giving of written notice of such exercise.

 

6.02. Obligations of the Company upon Termination of Employment

 

a. Death . In the event of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the Executive’s death and his estate and/or beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of the Executive’s death:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of his death;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of his death;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of his death;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s death occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s death occurs are met payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his death;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his death, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s death;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits for the Executive’s survivors covered by said benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

b. Disability . If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Disability during the Employment Period, either by the Company or by the Executive, the Employment Period shall end as of the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, as soon as practicable following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

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ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. a pro rata portion (based on the number of days worked) of the bonus payable under any bonus program in effect for the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs; provided , however , that the performance goals established under the applicable program with respect to the entire year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs are met, payable in due course pursuant to the terms of the plan;

 

v. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of his Disability;

 

vi. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of his Disability, with such options remaining exercisable for the lesser of the original option term or twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s Disability;

 

vii. continuation of medical benefits, if any, for a period of two (2) years; and

 

viii. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

c. Cause . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

d. Without Cause or With Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause or Disability) or if the Executive terminates his employment with Good Reason, the Employment Period shall end as of the effective date of

 

6


termination and the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within ten (10) business days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iv. any bonus payable pursuant to any bonus program, to the extent already earned but not paid with respect to the year in which the Executive’s termination of employment occurs

 

v. a lump sum amount equal to the product of Executive’s Base Salary (based on the Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment, and in the case of a termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason due to a reduction in Base Salary under Paragraph 6.01(d)(iv), based on the Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction), multiplied by a factor of 2.50;

 

vi. immediate vesting of and lapsing of restrictions on all unvested Stock Awards, if any, held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment;

 

vii. immediate vesting of all Company stock options held by the Executive on the date of the termination of his employment, with all stock options remaining exercisable until their expiration pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan;

 

viii. continued participation, as if he were an employee, in the Company’s medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance plans, programs and/or arrangements in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment on the same terms and conditions as other executives under such plans, programs and/or arrangements until the earlier of two (2) years; the date, or dates, he receives substantially equivalent coverage and benefits under the plans, programs and/or arrangements of a subsequent employer or the date or dates on which such plans are terminated; provided, however, that should such continued coverage not be allowed under the Company’s plans, Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment, if any, in an amount equal to the amount that the Company would have spent on Executive’s premiums for the same period; and

 

ix. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company (other than any severance payments payable under the terms of any benefit plan), including outplacement services consistent

 

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with the Company’s then existing practice for senior executives or, if there is no such then existing practice, consistent with the Company’s past practice for senior executives.

 

e. Without Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the following, within 60 days following the date of termination or such earlier date as may be required by law:

 

i. Base Salary earned but not paid prior to the date of the termination of his employment;

 

ii. payment for all accrued but unused vacation time up to the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment;

 

iii. payment for any bonus earned but deferred for any year prior to the year in which occurs the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment; and

 

iv. such additional benefits as may be provided by the terms of the then existing plans, programs and/or arrangements of the Company.

 

6.03. Any payment under Paragraph 6.02 hereof shall be in lieu of any other severance, bonus or other payments (other than earned or vested benefits) to which the Executive might then be entitled pursuant to this Agreement, any benefit plan or program of the Company or any statutory, common law or other claim, subject, in each case, to the execution by the Executive and delivery to the Company of a comprehensive release of all claims related to his employment or termination thereof in a form to be provided by the Company. The Company’s obligations to make the payments under Paragraph 6.02 hereof, except in the case of a termination for Cause, shall not otherwise be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event the parties dispute whether the Executive shall be entitled to the payment hereunder, such payment shall not be deemed to be earned or otherwise vest hereunder until such time as the dispute is resolved in accordance with Paragraph 10.03 hereof.

 

6.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Company’s Board has reason to believe that there are circumstances which, if substantiated, would constitute Cause as defined herein, the Company immediately may suspend the Executive from employment without notice for such period of time as shall be reasonably necessary for the Company’s Board to ascertain whether such circumstances are substantiated. During such suspension, the Executive shall continue to be paid all compensation and provided all benefits hereunder; provided , however , that if the Executive has been indicted or otherwise formally charged by governmental authorities with any felony, the Company’s Board may in its sole discretion, and without limiting the Company’s Board’s discretion to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause, suspend the Executive without continuation of any compensation or benefits hereunder, pending final disposition of such criminal charge(s). Upon receiving notice of any such suspension, the Executive shall promptly leave the

 

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premises of the Company and remain off such premises and the premises of StoneMor Operating LLC or any subsidiary thereof until further notice from the Company’s Board.

 

  7. Covenants of the Executive

 

7.01. During the Employment Period and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

 

a. solicit, entice, persuade or induce any employee, director, officer, associate, consultant, agent or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her employment or engagement by the Company to become employed or engaged in competition with the Company by any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise other than a member of the Company, except in furtherance of his responsibility during the Employment Period; or

 

b. authorize or assist in the taking of such action by any third party.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 7.01, the terms “employee,” “director,” “officer,” “associate,” “consultant,” “agent,” and “independent contractor” shall include any person with such status at any time during the one (1) year prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment and for one year following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Executive shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Paragraph 7.01 by reason of an isolated act, or failure to act, not taken in bad faith.

 

7.02. During the Employment Period and for a period of and one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage, participate, make any financial investment in, or become employed by or render advisory or other services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other business enterprise (the “Competing Enterprise”) which is engaged, directly or indirectly, during the Employment Period or at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, as the case may be, in any business of the type and character engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company in any state or marketing area in which the Company is doing business or is qualified to do business. The foregoing covenant shall not be construed to preclude the Executive from making any investments in the securities of any company, whether or not engaged in competition with the Company, to the extent that such securities are actively traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States or any foreign securities exchange and, after giving effect to such investment, the Executive does not beneficially own securities representing more than 5% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such company.

 

7.03. The covenant periods set forth in Paragraphs 7.01 and 7.02 may be terminated earlier as determined by the Company’s Board, in its sole discretion, if (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated other than for “Cause” as defined in Paragraph 6.01(c) and (ii) the Executive’s termination of employment does not occur within thirty (30) days of a “Change in Control.” For purposes of this Paragraph 7.03, a “Change in Control” is defined as (i) a bona fide sale of all of the ownership interest of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any person or entity other than an affiliate; or (ii) a merger, reorganization, consolidation, or other

 

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transaction where more than 50% of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company ceases to be owned by persons or affiliates of persons including who own such interests at the Effective Date of this Agreement; or (iii) acquisition of forty (40%) percent of equity interests of the Company by any person not currently part of Company ownership except where the person is an Employee Benefit Fund or one who effects the purchase at the request of or with approval of the Company Board.

 

7.04. During the Employment Period and thereafter without limit as to time, the Executive will not (other than in the regular course and in furtherance of the Company’s business) divulge, furnish or make available to any person any knowledge or information with respect to the business or affairs of the Company which is confidential, including, without limitation, “know-how,” trade secrets, customer lists, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition or disposition plans, new personnel employment plans, methods, technical processes, designs and design projects, inventions and research projects and financial budgets and forecasts of the Company except (1) information which at the time is available to others in the business or generally known to the public other than as a result of disclosure by the Company not permitted hereunder, and (2) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with purported or apparent jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. All memoranda, notes, lists, records, electronically stored data, recordings or videotapes and other documents (and all copies thereof) made or compiled by the Executive or made available to the Executive (whether during his employment by the Company or by any predecessor thereof) concerning the business of the Company or any predecessor thereof shall be the property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon the termination of the Employment Period.

 

7.05. The Executive acknowledges that all developments, including, without limitation, inventions, patentable or otherwise, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, ideas and writings that alone or jointly with others the Executive may conceive, make, develop or acquire during the period of his employment by the Company and any predecessor thereof (collectively, the “Developments”), are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of his right, title and interest in all such Developments. The Executive shall promptly and fully disclose all future Developments to the Company’s Board, and, at any time upon request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company all instruments that the Company shall prepare, give evidence, and take all other actions that are necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Company’s counsel, to enable the Company to file and prosecute applications for and to acquire, maintain and enforce all letters patent, trademark registrations or copyrights covering the Developments in all countries in which the same are deemed necessary.

 

7.06. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, the Executive will have access to and be furnished with confidential information vital to the Company’s

 

10


business and that irreparable injury would be sustained by the Company in the event of his breach of any of the covenants contained in this Paragraph 7, which injury could not be remedied adequately by the recovery of damages in an action at law. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, upon a breach or threatened breach by him of any of such covenants, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other remedies, to an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the commission or continuance of any such breach or threatened breach upon minimal bond, with or without surety, and that such an injunction will not work an undue hardship on him. The Executive acknowledges that the covenant periods set forth in this section shall be extended by the period of any breach by the Executive. Further, any proven breach by the Executive shall result in the forfeiture of any remaining payments of benefits due to the Executive hereunder.

 

7.07. The provisions of this Paragraph 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reasons therefore.

 

7.08. If any court determines that any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such provisions shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions. If any court construes any of the provisions of this Paragraph 7, or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the duration of such provision or the geographic scope thereof, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or restrict the geographic scope of such provision and to enforce such provision as so reduced or restricted.

 

  8. Reimbursement of Business Expense

 

During the Employment Period, the Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under the Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy.

 

  9. Indemnification

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s by-laws, the Company shall promptly indemnify the Executive for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees)) incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with any action, proceeding, suit or investigation arising out of or relating to the performance by the Executive of services for (or acting as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements of) the Company, including as a director, officer or employee of the Company. The Company also agrees to maintain a director’s and officers’ liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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  10. Miscellaneous

 

10.01. This Agreement is intended to be performed in, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts, whichever is applicable, located in said state.

 

10.02. Upon the Effective Date, this Agreement shall incorporate the complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all other prior or contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, between the Executive and the Company or any predecessor thereof with respect to such subject matter. No provision hereof may be modified or waived except by a written instrument duly executed by the Executive and the Company with the express approval of the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

10.03. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration conducted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association and such submission shall request the American Arbitration Association to: (i) appoint an arbitrator experienced and knowledgeable concerning the matter then in dispute who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators; (ii) require the testimony to be transcribed; (iii) require the award to be accompanied by findings of fact and a statement of reasons for the decision; and (iv) request the matter to be handled on an expedited basis. The determination of the arbitrator, which shall be based upon an interpretation of this Agreement, shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. All costs of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrator shall be borne by the Company, unless the position advanced by the Executive is determined by the arbitrator to be frivolous in nature.

 

10.04. The Executive acknowledges that before entering into this Agreement he has received a reasonable period of time to consider this Agreement and has had sufficient time and an opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of his choice in connection with this Agreement and all matters contained herein, and that he has been advised to do so if he so chooses. The Executive further acknowledges that this Agreement and all terms hereof are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by the Company, that he has approved and entered into this Agreement and all of the terms hereof on his own free will, and that no promises or representations have been made to him by any person to induce him to enter into this Agreement other than the express terms set forth herein.

 

10.05. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from all compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement all amounts required to be deducted and withheld therefrom pursuant to any present or future law, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America or any state or local jurisdiction therein or any foreign taxing jurisdiction.

 

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10.06. Paragraph headings are included in this Agreement for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the text hereof.

 

10.07. Any and all notices, demands or other communications to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been fully given or made when personally delivered, or on the third business day after mailing from within the continental United States by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

155 Rittenhouse Circle

Bristol, PA 19007

 

Attention: Lawrence Miller, President & CEO

 

If to the Executive:

 

_____________________

_____________________

 

Either party may change the address to which any notices to it shall be sent by giving to the other party written notice of such change in conformity with the foregoing.

 

10.08. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.09. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to, and shall inure to the benefit of, any successor to substantially all the assets and business of the Company as a going concern, whether by merger, consolidation or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Company or otherwise, provided that such successor shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

 

10.10. The Company shall be deemed to have performed its obligations to make payments or provide benefits to the Executive under this Agreement if it has caused such payments to be made or benefits to be provided.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

STONEMOR GP, LLC
By:   /s/    Lawrence Miller

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ROBERT P. STACHE
/s/    Robert P. Stache
 

 

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Exhibit 10.9

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is effective September 20, 2004, between StoneMor GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and the undersigned director of the Company (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted a Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) providing for indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers to the maximum extent authorized by the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “State Statute”); and

 

WHEREAS, the LLC Agreement and State Statute contemplate that contracts and insurance policies may be entered into with respect to indemnification of directors; and

 

WHEREAS, there are questions concerning the adequacy and reliability of the protection which might be afforded to directors and officers from acquisition of policies of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance (“D&O Insurance”), covering certain liabilities which might be incurred by directors in the performance of their services to the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to obligate itself contractually to indemnify Indemnitee so that he will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that he will not be adequately protected; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on condition that he be so indemnified;

 

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

 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, inquiry or proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative nature, in which Indemnitee is or will be involved as a party, as a witness or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or agent of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as a director or agent or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement can be provided under this Agreement; provided that any such action, suit or proceeding that is brought by Indemnitee against that Company or directors or officers of the Company, other than an action brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under this Agreement, shall not be deemed a Proceeding without prior approval by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(b) The term “Expenses” shall include, without limitation, any judgments, fines and penalties against Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding; amounts paid by Indemnitee in

 


settlement of a Proceeding; and all attorneys’ fees and disbursements, accountants’ fees, private investigation fees and disbursements, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, fees and expenses of witnesses, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, or expenses, reasonably incurred by or for Indemnitee in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding or establishing Indemnitee’s right of entitlement to indemnification for any of the foregoing.

 

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

 

(d) The term “substantiating documentation” shall mean copies of bills or invoices for costs incurred by or for Indemnitee, or copies of court or agency orders or decrees or settlement agreements, as the case may be, accompanied by a sworn statement from Indemnitee that such bills, invoices, court or agency orders or decrees or settlement agreements, represent costs or liabilities meeting the definition of “Expenses” herein.

 

(e) The terms “he” and “his” have been used for convenience and mean “she” and “her” if Indemnitee is a female.

 

2. Indemnity of Director. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law (including the applicable provisions of the State Statute). The phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by law” shall include, but not be limited to (i) to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the State Statute that authorizes or permits additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the State Statute and (ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the State Statute adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a limited liability company may indemnify its directors. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of the State Statute that adversely affects any right of Indemnitee shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

3. Additional Indemnity. The Company hereby further agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses incurred by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, including, without limitation, any predecessor, subsidiary or affiliated entity of the Company, provided that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the

 

2


Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order of the court, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

4. Choice of Counsel. If Indemnitee is not an officer of the Company, he, together with the other directors who are not officers of the Company (the “Outside Directors”), shall be entitled to employ, and be reimbursed for the fees and disbursements of, counsel separate from that chosen by Indemnitees who are officers of the Company. The principal counsel for Outside Directors (“Principal Counsel”) shall be determined by majority vote of the Outside Directors, and the Principal Counsel for the Indemnitees who are not Outside Directors (“Separate Counsel”) shall be determined by majority vote of such Indemnitees. The obligation of the Company to reimburse Indemnitee for the fees and disbursements of counsel hereunder shall not extend to the fees and disbursements of any counsel employed by Indemnitee other than Principal Counsel or Separate Counsel, as the case may be, unless, in the opinion of other counsel for Indemnitee, concurred in by Principal Counsel or Separate Counsel, as the case may be, Indemnitee may have defenses available to him that are in addition to or different from those of the other Indemnitees such that there is a substantial possibility that Principal Counsel of Separate Counsel, as the case may be, will have a conflict of interest in representing Indemnitee.

 

5. Advances of Expenses. Expenses (other than judgments, penalties, fines and settlements) incurred by Indemnitee shall be paid by the Company, in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, within 10 days after receipt of Indemnitee’s written request accompanied by substantiating documentation and Indemnitee’s written affirmation that he has met the standard of conduct for indemnification and a written undertaking to repay such amount to the extent it is ultimately determined that indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. No objections based on or involving the question whether such charges meet the definition of “Expenses,” including any question regarding the reasonableness of such Expenses, shall be grounds for failure to advance to such Indemnitee, or to reimburse such Indemnitee for, the amount claimed within such 10-day period, and the undertaking of Indemnitee set forth in Section 7 hereof to repay any such amount to the extent it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to include an undertaking to repay any such amounts determined not to have met such definition.

 

6. Right of Indemnitee to Indemnification Upon Application; Procedure Upon Application. Any indemnification under this Agreement, other than pursuant to Section 5 hereof, shall be made no later than 45 days after receipt by the Company of the written request of Indemnitee, accompanied by substantiating documentation, unless a determination is made within said 45-day period by (1) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who are not or were not parties to such Proceeding, (2) by a committee of the Board of Directors designated by majority vote of the Board of Directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (4) by the stockholders, that Indemnitee has not met the relevant standards for indemnification set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 

3


The right to indemnification or advances as provided by this Agreement shall be enforceable by Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction. The burden of proving that indemnification is not appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, committee thereof, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standards of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, committee thereof, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

7. Undertaking by Indemnitee. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay to the Company any advances of Expenses pursuant to Section 5 hereof to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

 

8. Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Agreement shall not deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the LLC Agreement, the State Statute, D&O Insurance, any agreement, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office; provided, however, that this Agreement supersedes all prior written indemnification agreements between the Company (or any predecessor thereof) and Indemnitee with respect to the subject matter hereof. However, Indemnitee shall reimburse the Company for amounts paid to him pursuant to such other rights to the extent such payments duplicate any payments received pursuant to this Agreement.

 

9. Continuation of Indemnity. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is a director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding.

 

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

 

11. Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold their consent to any proposed settlement. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action.

 

12. Enforcement. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on the Company hereby in order to induce

 

4


Indemnitee to serve as a director of the Company, and acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in continuing as a director.

 

(b) In the event Indemnitee is required to bring any action or other proceeding to enforce rights or to collect money due under this Agreement and is successful in such action, the Company shall reimburse Indemnitee for all of Indemnitee’s Expenses in bringing and pursuing such action.

 

13. Governing Law; Binding Effect; Amendment and Termination. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee, his heirs, personal representatives and assigns and to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns.

 

(c) No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Company and Indemnitee.

 

14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be in any way affected or impaired thereby, and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. Each section of this Agreement is a separate and independent portion of this Agreement. If the indemnification to which Indemnitee is entitled as respects any aspect of any claim varies between two or more sections of this Agreement, that section providing the most comprehensive indemnification shall apply.

 

15. Notice. Notice to the Company shall be directed to StoneMor GP LLC, 155 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007, Attention: General Counsel. Notice to Indemnitee shall be directed to the address set forth under his signature hereto. The foregoing addresses may be changed from time to time by the addressee upon notice to the other parties.

 

Notice shall be deemed received three days after the date postmarked if sent by prepaid mail, properly addressed.

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

STONEMOR GP LLC
By:    

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

INDEMNITEE
 

Name:

   

Address:

   

 

6

Exhibit 10.10

 


 

INTERCREDITOR AND COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

among

 

STONEMOR GP LLC,

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.,

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC,

AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES, as Credit Parties,

 

VARIOUS LENDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS,

 

and

 

FLEET NATIONAL BANK,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 


 

Dated September 20, 2004

 


 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

   2

1.1

  

Defined Terms

   2

ARTICLE II INTERCREDITOR PROVISIONS

   11

2.1

  

Standstill

   11

2.2

  

Prohibition on Contesting Liens

   12

2.3

  

Amendments to Loan Documents

   13

2.4

  

Certain General Intercreditor Matters

   13

ARTICLE III THE COLLATERAL AGENCY

   14

3.1

  

Appointment

   14

3.2

  

Exercise of Powers

   14

ARTICLE IV SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS

   14

4.1

  

General Relation to Security Documents

   14

4.2

  

Power of Attorney

   15

4.3

  

Certain Rights After Event of Default

   15

4.4

  

Right to Initiate Judicial Proceedings

   16

4.5

  

Right to Appoint a Receiver

   16

4.6

  

Remedies Not Exclusive, etc.

   16

4.7

  

Certain Waivers

   17

4.8

  

No New Liens

   18

4.9

  

Limitation on Collateral Agent’s Duty in Respect of Collateral

   18

4.10

  

Fees, Taxes, etc.

   18

4.11

  

Maintenance of Liens

   19

4.12

  

Further Assurances

   19

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

   19

5.1

  

Collateral Account

   19

5.2

  

Investment

   20

5.3

  

Deposits

   20

5.4

  

Distributions

   20

5.5

  

Calculations

   21

5.6

  

Application of Monies

   21

ARTICLE VI THE COLLATERAL AGENT

   22

6.1

  

General Nature of Duties

   22

6.2

  

General Exculpation

   23

6.3

  

Certain Disclaimers

   23

6.4

  

Right to Require Indemnity

   23

6.5

  

Delegation of Duties

   23

6.6

  

Reliance, etc.

   24

6.7

  

Representations, etc.

   24

 

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6.8

  

Disclosure

   24

6.9

  

Collateral Agent in Individual Capacity

   25

6.10

  

Moneys to be Held As Agent

   25

6.11

  

Responsible Parties

   25

6.12

  

Intentionally Omitted

   25

6.13

  

Expenses

   25

6.14

  

Indemnity

   25

6.15

  

Indemnification by Secured Creditors

   26

6.16

  

Collateral Agent Obligations

   26

6.17

  

Successor Collateral Agent

   26

6.18

  

Co-Collateral Agent

   28

6.19

  

Delivery of Documents

   28

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

   28

7.1

  

Amendments, Supplements and Waivers

   28

7.2

  

Notices

   29

7.3

  

No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

   29

7.4

  

Severability

   29

7.5

  

Prior Understandings

   30

7.6

  

Survival

   30

7.7

  

Counterparts

   30

7.8

  

Termination of Liens

   30

7.9

  

Successors and Assigns

   30

7.10

  

Governing Law

   30

7.11

  

Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury

   31

7.12

  

Several Obligations of Controlled-Non Profits

   31

 

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INTERCREDITOR AND COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

This INTERCREDITOR AND COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT, dated September 20, 2004, and entered into by and among STONEMOR GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), STONEMOR OPERATING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operating Company ”), the subsidiaries of the Operating Company party to the Loan Documents (as defined below) (together with the Operating Company, each individually a “ Borrower ” and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), the Lenders, the Noteholders, and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, a Bank of America company, a national banking association (“ Fleet ”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lender Creditors (as defined below) (together with its successors and assigns from time to time, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Creditors (as defined below) (together with its successors and assigns from time to time, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. The General Partner is the general partner of the Partnership, which in turn is the sole owner of the Operating Company. Together with the Borrowers, the General Partner, the Partnership, and the Operating Company manage and operate a group of cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States.

 

B. The General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and the Borrowers (each a “ Credit Party ”, and collectively, the “ Credit Parties ”), various financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), and Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ” and, together with the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer, the “ Lender Creditors ”), have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated the date hereof, providing for the making of revolving credit loans (“ Revolving Credit Loans ”), swingline loans (“ Swingline Loans ”) and acquisition loans (“ Acquisition Loans ”) to the Borrowers and the issuance of, and participation in, standby letters of credit (“ Letters of Credit ”) for the account of the Borrowers as contemplated therein (as used herein, the term “ Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement described above in this paragraph as amended, restated, modified, extended, renewed, replaced, supplemented, restructured and/or refinanced from time to time).

 

C. The Borrowers and certain purchasers (together with any successors or assigns thereto, the “ Noteholders ”) have entered into that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, modified, extended, renewed, replaced, supplemented, restructured and/or refinanced from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Noteholders purchased certain secured notes issued by the Borrowers (as amended, restated, supplemented, and/or modified from time to time, the “ Placement Notes ”).

 

D. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time enter into one or more Swap Contracts (collectively the “ Secured Swap Contracts ”) with one or more Lenders or any affiliate thereof (each such Lender, affiliate or financial institution, even if the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s, affiliate’s or other financial institutions’ successors and assigns, if any,

 


collectively, the “ Swap Creditors ” and together with the Lender Creditors, the Noteholders, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent are herein called, the “ Secured Creditors ”).

 

E. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the General Partner and the Partnership (and each Borrower as to each other Borrower’s Obligations under Secured Swap Contracts), have unconditionally guaranteed the Lender Obligations (as defined below).

 

F. Pursuant to that certain Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof (the “ Guarantee Agreement ”) in favor of the Noteholders, the General Partner and the Partnership have unconditionally guaranteed the Noteholder Obligations (as defined below).

 

G. It is a condition precedent to the Credit Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, that each party hereto shall have executed and delivered this Agreement.

 

H. Each Credit Party will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Revolving Credit Loans, Acquisition Loans and Swingline Loans by, and the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement, the entering into and maintaining of Secured Swap Contracts and the entering into of the Purchase Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Placement Notes, and, accordingly, each Credit Party desires to execute this Agreement to satisfy the condition precedent described in the preceding paragraph.

 

I. In order to induce the Secured Creditors to consent to the incurring of the various Secured Obligations and to induce the Secured Creditors to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party, the Lenders and Noteholders have agreed to the intercreditor, collateral agency and other provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and obligations herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Defined Terms .

 

(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein and defined in the UCC shall be used herein as therein defined. Reference to singular terms shall include the plural and vice versa. The following capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitions specified below:

 

Acquisition Loans ” has the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

Acquisition Obligations ” means all Acquisition Loans and other Lender Obligations attributable or related to Acquisition Loans pursuant to the Lender Documents and all Swap Obligations.

 

- 2 -


Agreement ” means this Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, as amended, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, transfer or other disposition by any Credit Party to any Person other than to the Partnership or any Borrower of any asset (including, without limitation, any capital stock or other Equity Interests of another Person) of such Credit Party.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means: (i) marketable securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state of any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto (“ S&P ”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto (“ Moody’s ”); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, issued by any Lender or any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 (each Lender and each such commercial bank being herein called a “ Cash Equivalent Bank ”); and (v) Eurodollar time deposits having a maturity of less than one year purchased directly from any Cash Equivalent Bank (provided such deposit is with such Cash Equivalent Bank or any other Cash Equivalent Bank).

 

Certificate of Indebtedness ” means an agreement delivered to a Borrower from a non-profit cemetery which evidences an obligation to pay money together with a right to vote in connection with member or shareholder decisions.

 

Collateral ” means all of the assets and property of any Credit Party, whether real, personal or mixed, other than the Excluded Collateral.

 

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

- 3 -


Collateral Agent Obligations ” shall mean all obligations from time to time of any Credit Party to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such (whether or not referred to herein or in any Security Document as constituting Collateral Agent Obligations), including but not limited to amounts payable pursuant to Sections 4.10 , 6.13 and 6.14 hereof, in each case whether such obligations are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or performance, now existing or hereafter arising (specifically including but not limited to obligations arising or accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to any Credit Party, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the commencement of such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation is not allowed in such proceeding under applicable Law).

 

Contingent Reimbursement Obligation ” shall mean at any time, with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by the Letter of Credit Issuer for the account of any of the Credit Parties pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at such time that will, upon or after a drawing under such Letter of Credit, be required to be reimbursed to the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Controlled Non-Profit ” means a Borrower which (a) is organized as a non-profit entity, whether pursuant to Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise, or (b) which has contracted with any Borrower for the provisions of services under a cemetery management agreement; provided that, such term shall not, in any case, be deemed to include Willowbrook Cemetery.

 

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the background above hereto.

 

Credit Parties ” means the General Partner, the Partnership, the Borrowers and any other Persons that have executed and delivered, or may from time to time hereafter execute and deliver, any Security Document.

 

Creditors ” means, collectively, the Lender Creditors and the Noteholder Creditors.

 

Current Swap Obligations ” means, on any date, the Swap Obligations then due and owing.

 

Discharge ” means, with respect to any Secured Obligations, (a) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing on or after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not such interest would be allowed in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), make-whole amount and premium, if any, on all Indebtedness outstanding under the Lender Documents, Noteholder Documents or Secured Swap Contracts relating to such Secured Obligations, (b) payment in full of all other such Secured Obligations that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid, (c) termination (without any prior demand for payment thereunder having been made or, if made, with such demand having been fully reimbursed in cash) or cash collateralization (in an amount and manner, and on terms, in accordance with the Credit Agreement) of any related Letters of Credit and (d) termination of any other commitments under

 

- 4 -


the Lender Documents, Noteholder Documents or Secured Swap Contracts relating to such Secured Obligations.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person means any and all capital stock, limited or general partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests, beneficial interests in a trust (other than a Trust Account), shares, interests, rights to purchase or acquire, warrants, options, participations, Certificates of Indebtedness, or other equivalents of or interest in (however designated) equity of such Person.

 

Equity Sale ” means any sale, transfer or other disposition of any capital stock or other Equity Interests in a Borrower by a Credit Party (but shall not include the issuance by any Credit Party of its own Equity Interests).

 

Excluded Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) all Obligations and other indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) the deferred purchase price of assets or services payable to the sellers thereof or any of such seller’s assignees, (iii) the amount under all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, (iv) all Indebtedness of a second Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed; such amount, for purposes of this clause (iv) being limited to the value of such property, (v) all capitalized lease obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations of such Person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e. , take-or-pay and similar obligations, (vii) all obligations under any interest rate swap agreement, (viii) all contingent obligations of such Person, and (ix) all synthetic lease obligations.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Credit Party, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Credit Party or with respect to a material portion of their respective assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Credit Party whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Credit Party.

 

Installment Agreement ” means a pre-need installment agreement between a Person and one or more individuals pursuant to which such Person has agreed to provide for and sell to such individual(s) cemetery services and/or cemetery property.

 

Law ” shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of any governmental or regulatory authority.

 

Lender Creditors ” means, at any relevant time, the holders of Lender Obligations at such time, including, without limitation, the Lenders, the Swap Creditors, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the other agents under the Credit Agreement.

 

- 5 -


Lender Documents ” means the Credit Agreement and the Credit Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments providing for or evidencing any other Lender Obligation and any other document or instrument executed or delivered at any time in connection with any Lender Obligation (including any intercreditor or joinder agreement among holders of Lender Obligations but excluding Secured Swap Contracts), to the extent such are effective at the relevant time, as each may be amended, modified, restated, supplemented, replaced and/or Refinanced from time to time.

 

Lender Obligations ” means (i) all Obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the other Lender Documents, and (ii) all Swap Obligations. “ Lender Obligations ” shall in any event include: (a) all interest accrued or accruing (or which would, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (and the effect of provisions such as Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code), accrue) after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in accordance with the rate specified in the relevant Lender Document, whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (b) any and all fees and expenses (including attorneys’ and/or financial consultants’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Lender Creditors after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not the claim for fees and expenses is allowed under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Law as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and (c) all obligations and liabilities of each Credit Party under each Lender Document to which it is a party which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due.

 

Lenders ” means the “Lenders” under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement; provided that the term “Lender” shall in any event include each letter of credit issuer and each swingline lender under the Credit Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit ” has the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

Letters of Credit Issuer ” has the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the UCC or any similar recording or notice statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect as the foregoing).

 

Loan Documents ” shall mean the Lender Documents, the Secured Swap Contracts and the Noteholder Documents.

 

Loan Parties ” means the Administrative Agent, Lenders and the Noteholders.

 

Majority Revolving Lenders ” means Required Lenders, the sum of whose outstanding Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Revolving Loans and RL Percentage of outstanding Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings) represent an amount greater than 50% of the sum of all Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the then total outstanding Revolving

 

- 6 -


Loans and the aggregate RL Percentages of Required Lenders of the total outstanding Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time), each of which as further defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Majority Term Lenders ” means Required Creditors, the sum of whose outstanding Acquisition Obligations and Noteholder Obligations represent an amount greater than 50% of the sum of all Acquisition Obligations and Noteholder Obligations.

 

Management Agreement ” means any agreement pursuant to which any Person agrees to manage the operations of any Person in the business of providing cemetery services and/or cemetery property.

 

Mandatory Prepayment Amount ” means any proceeds of (a) an Asset Sale or Recovery Event, (b) the incurrence of any Indebtedness, or (c) the issuance of any Equity Interest, which, in any case, are required to be used under any Loan Document to prepay any Obligations.

 

Mortgages ” means a collective reference to each mortgage, deed of trust and any other document or instrument under which any Lien on real property owned by any Credit Party is granted to secure any Secured Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Liens are governed.

 

Non-Receivable Collateral ” means all of Collateral other than the Receivable Rights.

 

Noteholder Creditors ” means, at any relevant time, the holders of Noteholder Obligations at such time, including, without limitation, the Noteholders, the Collateral Agent and any other agents under the Purchase Agreement.

 

Noteholder Documents ” means the Purchase Agreement, the Placement Notes, the Guarantee Agreement and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments providing for or evidencing any other Noteholder Obligation, and any other document or instrument executed or delivered at any time in connection with any Noteholder Obligation, as the same may be amended, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, thereof and the Purchase Agreement.

 

Noteholder Obligations ” means all Obligations outstanding under the Purchase Agreement, the Placement Notes and the other Noteholder Documents. “ Noteholder Obligations ” shall in any event include: (a) all interest (and any make-whole amount) accrued or accruing (or which would, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (and the effect of provisions such as Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code), accrue) after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in accordance with the rate specified in the relevant Noteholder Document whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; (b) any and all fees and expenses (including attorneys’ and/or financial consultants’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Collateral Agent and the Noteholder Creditors after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not the claim for fees and expenses is allowed under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Law as a claim

 

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in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; and (c) all obligations and liabilities of each Credit Party under each Noteholder Document to which it is a party which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due.

 

Noteholders ” means the “Purchasers” under and as defined in the Purchase Agreement and the holders from time to time of the Placement Notes.

 

Obligations ” means any and all obligations (including guaranty obligations) with respect to the payment and performance of (a) any principal of or interest, make-whole amount or premium on any indebtedness, including any reimbursement obligation in respect of any letter of credit, or any other liability, including interest that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of any Credit Party at the rate provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowed in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (b) any fees, indemnification obligations, expense reimbursement obligations or other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any indebtedness (including, without limitation, the retaking, holding, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral), (c) any obligation to post cash collateral in respect of letters of credit or any other obligations, and (d) all performance obligations under the documentation governing any indebtedness.

 

Permitted Liens ” means Liens on the Collateral not prohibited under the terms of any Loan Document.

 

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

 

Placement Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the background above.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated, modified and/or Refinanced from time to time.

 

Pro Rata Basis ” means, in relation to any amount, with respect to any applicable Secured Creditor sharing in such amount, a share of such amount determined by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Secured Obligations owing to such Secured Creditor at the time outstanding (which shall include any make-whole amount), and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such Secured Obligations owing to such Secured Creditors; provided that, for purposes of the determination of the Pro Rata Basis, a portion of the Current Swap Obligations shall be deemed to be principal in a ratio proportionate to the ratio of principal to all other Obligations representing the Secured Obligations swapped by the related Secured Swap Contract.

 

Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the background above.

 

Receivable Rights ” means, as to any Borrower, all of such Borrower’s rights to the payment of a monetary obligation (excluding payments required to be deposited into Trust

 

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Accounts, but including any rights to receive funds held in, distributed from or proceeds of any Trust Account on account of (i) funds, requested from any Trust Account for services or merchandise, which have not been received by a Borrower and are shown as a receivable on the balance sheet or books and records of the Partnership or such Borrower and (ii) income earned on funds in any Trust Account which have not been distributed to a Borrower and is shown as a receivable on the balance sheet or books and records of the Partnership or such Borrower), whether or not under any Installment Agreement, Management Agreement or Certificate of Indebtedness, whether or not earned by performance, and whether evidenced by an Account, Chattel Paper, Instrument, General Intangible, or otherwise, together with all other portions of the Collateral which, in the reasonable determination of the Collateral Agent, are related to the collection and performance of such rights to payment. Receivable Rights shall also include a portion of the proceeds of any Equity Sale equal to the portion of the Borrowing Base (as defined in the Credit Agreement) represented by amounts owing under Installment Agreements of such Borrower, as calculated on the date of such Equity Sale.

 

Recovery Event ” means the receipt by any Credit Party of any insurance or condemnation proceeds (other than proceeds from business interruption insurance) payable (i) by reason of theft, physical destruction or damage or any other similar event with respect to any properties or assets of such Credit Party, (ii) by reason of any condemnation, taking, seizing or similar event with respect to any properties or assets of Credit Party or (iii) under any policy of insurance.

 

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, modify, supplement, restructure, replace, refund or repay, or to issue other indebtedness, in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Required Creditors ” means, as to any request for consent or direction by the Required Creditors, Secured Creditors comprising holders of at least the majority of the then outstanding Secured Obligations.

 

Required Holders ” has the meaning provided in the Purchase Agreement.

 

Required Lender Creditors ” shall mean (i) at all times prior to the occurrence of the Discharge of Lender Obligations other than Swap Obligations, the Required Lenders (or, to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, each of the Lenders), and (ii) at all times after the occurrence of the Discharge of Lender Obligations other than Swap Obligations, the holders of at least the majority of the then outstanding Swap Obligations (determined by the Collateral Agent in such reasonable manner as is acceptable to it).

 

Required Lenders ” has the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

Security Agreement ” means the Security Agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated, modified and/or Refinanced from time to time.

 

Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Mortgages and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted

 

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securing any Secured Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated, modified and/or Refinanced from time to time.

 

Secured Obligations ” shall mean all Lender Obligations and Noteholder Obligations.

 

Secured Swap Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in the background above hereto.

 

Setoff Amount ” means any funds of a Credit Party which are setoff by a Secured Creditor against the Obligations.

 

Swap Creditor ” has the meaning set forth in the background above hereto.

 

Swap Obligations ” means all obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees and interest thereon and all interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding of any Credit Party at the rate provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowed in any such case, proceeding or other action) of each Credit Party owing to the Swap Creditors, now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with any Secured Swap Contract, whether such Secured Swap Contract is now in existence or hereafter arises, and the due performance and compliance by each Credit Party with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in any such Secured Swap Contract.

 

Trust Account ” means a trust fund, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement established and maintained by a Borrower as required in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of receiving and administering amounts derived from the sale of (a) interests in real property or fixtures, including, without limitation, mausoleums, niches, columbaria, urns, or crypts, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains and for administering such amounts for the perpetual care and maintenance of cemetery lots, graves, grounds, landscaping, roads, paths, parking lots, fences, mausoleums, columbaria, vaults, crypts, utilities, and other improvements, structures and embellishments or (b) services and personal property, such as foundations, markers, memorials, memorial bases, monuments, urns, vases, lawn and mausoleum crypts, used in connection with the final disposition, memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time, as enacted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or in any state or states which, pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has jurisdiction with respect to all, or any portion of, the Collateral or this Agreement, from time to time. It is the intent of the parties that the definitions set forth above should be construed in their broadest sense so that Collateral will be construed in its broadest sense. Accordingly if there are, from time to time, changes to defined terms in the UCC that

 

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broaden the definitions, they are incorporated herein and if existing definitions in the UCC are broader than the amended definitions, the existing ones shall be controlling.

 

Working Capital Obligations ” means all Lender Obligations other than Acquisition Obligations.

 

(b) Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “ include ”, “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “ without limitation .” The word “ will ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “ herein ”, “ hereof ” and “ hereunder ”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Exhibits or Sections shall be construed to refer to Exhibits or Sections of this Agreement, (v) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (vi) terms defined in the UCC but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as are assigned thereto in the UCC, (vii) reference to any law means such law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or re-enacted, in whole or in part, and in effect on the date hereof, including rules, regulations, enforcement procedures and any interpretations promulgated thereunder and (viii) underscored references to Sections or clauses shall refer to those portions of this Agreement, and any underscored references to a clause shall, unless otherwise identified, refer to the appropriate clause within the same Section in which such reference occurs.

 

ARTICLE II

INTERCREDITOR PROVISIONS

 

2.1 Standstill . The Lenders and the Noteholders hereby agree as between themselves as follows (it being acknowledged and agreed by the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent that the provisions of this Section 2.1 are solely for the benefit of the Lenders and the Noteholders; may be amended by agreement of the Noteholders and the Lenders without need of consent of any other party; and shall not benefit or create any rights in favor of any of the Credit Parties or the Collateral Agent):

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of any event of default under any of the Noteholder Documents (other than as set forth in (c) below), the Noteholders shall not exercise any remedy that they may have under the Noteholder Documents to declare all or any portion of the Noteholder Obligations to be due and payable prior to their respective due dates or commence the exercise of any other rights or remedies unless at least 30 days have elapsed following written notice of such event of default having been given by any one or more of the Noteholders to each of the Lenders and the other Noteholders, unless the Required Lender Creditors otherwise consent. This provision shall not apply if the Lenders shall have, for any reason

 

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(whether or not in breach of its agreement set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.1 ) declared all or any portion of the Lender Obligations to be due and payable prior to their respective due dates, or if such obligations have been automatically accelerated pursuant to 12.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

(b) Upon the occurrence of any event of default under any of the Lender Documents (other than as set forth in (c) below), the Lenders shall not exercise any remedy that they may have under the Lender Documents to declare all or any portion of the Lender Obligations to be due and payable prior to their respective due dates or commence the exercise of any other rights or remedies unless at least 30 days have elapsed following written notice of such event of default having been given by any one or more of the Lenders to each of the Noteholders and the other Lenders, unless the Required Holders otherwise consent. This provision shall not apply if the Noteholders shall have, for any reason (whether or not in breach of its agreement set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.1 ) declared all or any portion of the Noteholder Obligations to be due and payable prior to their respective due dates, or if such obligations have been automatically accelerated pursuant to 11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c) So long as the Discharge of all Secured Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against any Credit Party, the Collateral Agent shall have the exclusive right, and the Required Creditors shall have the exclusive right to instruct the Collateral Agent, to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including set-off and the right to credit bid their debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition, or restrictions with respect to the Collateral; provided , that: (i) no such instruction shall occur during any standstill period set forth above other than upon the direction of both (A) the Required Lender Creditors and (B) the Required Holders; (ii) after the standstill period set forth above, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (A) the Majority Revolving Lenders shall have the exclusive right to make such instructions as to the Receivable Rights and (B) the Majority Term Lenders shall have the exclusive right to make such instructions as to the Non-Receivable Collateral; and (iii) (A) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced by or against any Borrower or any other Credit Party, each Secured Creditor may file a claim or statement of interest with respect to the Secured Obligations, (B) each Secured Creditor may take any action (not adverse to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, or the rights of the Collateral Agent or the Secured Creditors to exercise remedies in respect thereof) in order to preserve or protect its Lien on the Collateral, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (C) each Secured Creditor shall be entitled to file any necessary responsive or defensive pleading in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims of such Secured Creditor, including any claim secured by the Collateral, if any, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.2 Prohibition on Contesting Liens . Each Secured Creditor agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), (i) the validity or enforceability of any Security Document or any Obligation thereunder, (ii) the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens, mortgages, assignments and security interests granted pursuant to the Security Documents or (iii) the relative rights and duties of the holders of

 

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the Secured Obligations granted and/or established in this Agreement or any other Security Document with respect to such Liens, mortgages, assignments, and security interests.

 

2.3 Amendments to Loan Documents . The provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms regardless of any amendment, modification or supplement to any Loan Document. Without limitation of the foregoing, this Agreement shall apply in accordance with its terms notwithstanding any increase, decrease, addition or change in the amount, nature, type or purpose of any Secured Obligations or any execution or delivery of any Loan Document from time to time; provided that the principal amount of (a) the Lender Obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the Lender Documents shall not exceed (i) $25,000,000, in the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time, for Acquisition Loans, and (ii) $12,500,000, in the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time, for Revolving Credit Loans and (b) the Noteholder Obligations outstanding under the Purchase Agreement and the Noteholder Documents shall not exceed $80,000,000, in the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time; provided however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Lenders to increase any commitment under the Credit Agreement.

 

2.4 Certain General Intercreditor Matters .

 

(a) The provisions of Article V hereof apply solely to priorities of distributions resulting from realization under or with respect to (i) the Security Documents, (ii) Setoff Amounts and (iii) Mandatory Repayment Amounts, and not to the priorities of the Obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any Security Document is intended to effect a subordination of any Obligation to any other Obligation.

 

(b) The Secured Creditors hereby agree that, upon any realization under or with respect to (i) the Security Documents, (ii) Setoff Amounts and (iii) Mandatory Repayment Amounts (including but not limited to realization under or with respect to any of the Collateral or any collection or application of funds, by setoff or otherwise, on account of any Obligations owed under any direct or indirect guaranty which is a Security Document), the Secured Creditors shall share in the proceeds of such realization in the manner provided in Section 5.4 , and if any Secured Creditor shall realize any funds on the Security Documents otherwise than pursuant to this Agreement, such Secured Creditor shall remit the same to the Collateral Agent, which shall apply the same as provided herein. Until such time as such Secured Creditor shall have complied with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, such Secured Creditor shall be deemed to hold such funds and the proceeds thereof in trust for the other Secured Creditors.

 

(c) This Agreement applies to realization under or with respect to (i) the Security Documents, (ii) Setoff Amounts and (iii) Mandatory Repayment Amounts, and nothing in this Agreement or in any Security Document, express or implied, shall be construed to require any Secured Creditor to share with any other Secured Creditor any collections received on account of Secured Obligations other than on account of (i) the Security Documents, (ii) Setoff Amounts and (iii) Mandatory Repayment Amounts. Each Secured Creditor agrees to promptly forward any Mandatory Repayment Amount or Setoff Amount it receives to the Collateral Agent for deposit into, and distribution from, the Collateral Account, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE III

THE COLLATERAL AGENCY

 

3.1 Appointment . Each of the Loan Parties hereby irrevocably appoints Fleet to act as Collateral Agent for each Secured Creditor under this Agreement and the Security Documents. The Loan Parties each hereby irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent to take such action on behalf of each Secured Creditor under the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties, as are specifically delegated to or required of the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Fleet hereby agrees to act as the Collateral Agent on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Security Documents, subject to its right to resign as provided herein. Each Secured Creditor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver each of the Security Documents and to accept delivery of such of the Security Documents as may not require execution by the Collateral Agent. Each Secured Creditor hereby agrees that the rights and remedies given to the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents shall be exercised exclusively by the Collateral Agent, and that no Secured Creditor shall have any right individually to exercise any such right or remedy, except to the extent, if any, otherwise expressly provided herein or therein.

 

3.2 Exercise of Powers . Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall take any action of the type specified herein or in any Security Documents as being within the Collateral Agent’s rights, powers or discretion in accordance with directions from the Required Creditors (or, to the extent this Agreement or such Security Document specifically requires the consent or direction of some other Person or set of Persons, then instead in accordance with the directions of such other Person or set of Persons). In the absence of any such instructions, the Collateral Agent shall have the authority (but under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole discretion, to take such action, to the extent not inconsistent with directions by the Required Creditors, unless this Agreement or such Security Document specifically requires the consent or direction of the Required Creditors (or some other Person or set of Persons), in which case the Collateral Agent shall not take such action absent such direction or consent. Any action or inaction pursuant to such direction, discretion or consent shall be binding on all of the Secured Creditors. The Collateral Agent shall not have any liability to any Person as a result of (a) the Collateral Agent acting or refraining from acting in accordance with the directions of the Required Creditors (or other applicable Person or set of Persons), (b) the Collateral Agent refraining from acting in the absence of instructions to act from the Required Creditors (or other applicable Person or set of Persons), whether or not the Collateral Agent has discretionary power to take such action, or (c) the Collateral Agent taking discretionary action it is authorized to take under this Section 3.2 (subject, in the case of this clause (c) to the provisions of Section 6.2 ).

 

ARTICLE IV

SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

4.1 General Relation to Security Documents .

 

(a) All of the powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent as set forth in this Agreement may be exercised by the Collateral Agent in respect of any Security Document

 

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as though set forth in full therein and all of the powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent as set forth in any Security Document may be exercised from time to time as herein and therein provided.

 

(b) This Agreement is intended to be supplemental to, and not in limitation of, the Security Documents, and the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent contained herein and therein are intended to be cumulative. However, in the event of actual and irreconcilable conflict between the provisions hereof and the provisions of the Security Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall be controlling. In addition, in the event of actual and irreconcilable conflict between the provisions hereof or any Security Document and the provisions of any other Loan Document, the provisions hereof or of the applicable Security Document shall be controlling.

 

4.2 Power of Attorney . Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in the name of such Credit Party or the name of such attorney-in-fact, from time to time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion, for the purpose of signing documents and taking other action as the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to perfect and protect the Liens of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral or otherwise to accomplish the purposes hereof. This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable and shall not be subject to the limitations of Section 4.3 hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so long as the Collateral Agent shall be entitled under this Agreement or any Security Document to make collections in respect of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and collect all checks made payable to the order of such Credit Party representing any dividend, payment or other distribution in respect of the Collateral and to give full discharge for the same.

 

4.3 Certain Rights After Event of Default . Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in the name of such Credit Party or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion, so long as any event of default under any Loan Document has occurred and is continuing, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any Security Document and to accomplish the purposes hereof and thereof and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Credit Party hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right on behalf of such Credit Party, without notice to or further assent by such Credit Party, to do the following:

 

(a) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due upon, or in connection with, the Collateral;

 

(b) to receive, take, endorse, assign and deliver any and all checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, documents and other negotiable and nonnegotiable instruments taken or received by the Collateral Agent as, or in connection with, the Collateral;

 

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(c) to commence, prosecute, defend, settle, compromise or adjust any claim, suit, action or proceeding with respect to, or in connection with, the Collateral;

 

(d) to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise deal in or with the Collateral or any part thereof as fully and effectively as if the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof; and

 

(e) to do, at its option and at the expense and for the account of such Credit Party, at any time or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect or preserve the Collateral and to realize upon the Collateral.

 

4.4 Right to Initiate Judicial Proceedings . The Collateral Agent (a) shall have the right and power to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem appropriate to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Agreement and each Security Document and (b) may either after entry, or without entry, proceed by suit or suits at law or in equity to enforce such rights and to foreclose upon the Collateral and to sell all or, from time to time, any of the Collateral under the judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 4.4 shall not be construed to limit any right or remedy otherwise available to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement, any Security Document or otherwise by Law to act without judicial proceedings.

 

4.5 Right to Appoint a Receiver . Upon the filing of a bill in equity or other commencement of judicial proceedings or other applicable action set forth in any Security Document to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall, to the extent permitted by Law and except to the extent (if any) expressly forbidden by a Security Document, without notice to any Credit Party or any party claiming through any Credit Party, without regard to the solvency or insolvency at the time of any Credit Party or any other Person then liable for the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, without regard to the then value of the Collateral, and without requiring any bond from any complainant in such proceedings, be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver or receivers (who may be the Collateral Agent) of the Collateral, or any part thereof, and of the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties, revenues and other income thereof, pending such proceedings, with such powers as the court making such appointment or as the applicable Security Document, as the case may be, shall confer, and to the entry of an order directing that the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties, revenues and other income of the property constituting the whole or any part of the Collateral be segregated, sequestered and impounded for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, and each Credit Party irrevocably consents to the appointments of such receiver or receivers and to the entry of such order; provided , that notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to retain possession and control, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, of all cash held by or deposited with it pursuant to this Agreement or any Security Document (other than Excluded Collateral required to be deposited into Trust Accounts).

 

4.6 Remedies Not Exclusive, etc.

 

(a) No remedy conferred upon or reserved to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Creditor herein or in any Security Document or any Loan Document is intended to be

 

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exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, but every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy conferred herein or in any Security Document or any Loan Document or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.

 

(b) No delay or omission by the Collateral Agent or any other Person to exercise any right, remedy or power hereunder or under any Security Document or any other Loan Document shall impair any such right, remedy or power or shall be construed to be a waiver thereof, and every right, power and remedy given by this Agreement, any Security Document or any other Loan Document to the Collateral Agent or any other Person may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Collateral Agent or such other Person, as the case may be.

 

(c) If the Collateral Agent or any other Person shall have proceeded to enforce any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or any Security Document or any other Loan Document and the proceeding for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Collateral Agent, then each Credit Party, the Collateral Agent and the Secured Creditors shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder or thereunder in all respects and, subject to any determination in such proceeding, thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Collateral Agent and every other Person shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

 

(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims upon or under this Agreement and the Security Documents may be enforced by the Collateral Agent without the possession of any original or executed instrument evidencing or governing any Secured Obligation and without the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative to such claims, and any suit or proceeding instituted by the Collateral Agent shall be, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, brought in its name as Collateral Agent, and any recovery of judgment shall be held as part of the Collateral Account.

 

4.7 Certain Waivers .

 

(a) Each Credit Party agrees, to the extent it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any time in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension, moratorium, turnover or redemption Law, or any Law permitting it to direct the order in which the Collateral shall be sold, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any Security Document, hereby waives all benefit or advantage of all such Laws, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede under color of any such Law the execution of any power granted to the Collateral Agent in this Agreement or any Security Document but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such Law were in force.

 

(b) Each Credit Party, to the extent it may lawfully do so, on behalf of itself and all who may claim through or under it, including without limitation any and all subsequent creditors, vendees, assignees and lienors, waives and releases all rights to demand or to have any marshalling of the Collateral upon any sale, whether made under any power of sale granted herein or in any Security Document or pursuant to judicial proceedings or upon any foreclosure

 

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or any enforcement of this Agreement or any Security Document, and consents and agrees that all the Collateral may at any such sale be offered and sold as an entirety. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Credit Party hereby waives any and all rights it may at any time have to require the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Creditor to exercise its rights and remedies under this Agreement, any Security Document any other Loan Document, any other agreement or instrument, at Law or in equity, as between different Persons or against any single Person in any particular order, method or manner.

 

(c) Each Credit Party waives, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, presentment, demand, protest and any notice of any kind (except notices expressly required hereunder or under any Security Document) in connection with this Agreement and the Security Documents and any action taken by the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral.

 

4.8 No New Liens . So long as the Discharge of any Secured Obligations has not occurred, the parties hereto agree that no Credit Party shall grant or permit any additional Liens, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, on any asset or property to secure any Secured Obligation unless it has also granted a Lien on such asset or property to secure all Secured Obligations equally and ratably in accordance with this Agreement. To the extent that the foregoing provisions are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other rights and remedies available to the Collateral Agent and/or the other Secured Creditors, the Secured Creditor benefiting from such new Lien agrees that any amounts received by or distributed to any of them pursuant to or as a result of Liens granted in contravention of this Section 4.8 shall be subject to Section 5.4 .

 

4.9 Limitation on Collateral Agent’s Duty in Respect of Collateral . Beyond its duties expressly provided herein or in any Security Document or under applicable law and its duty to account to the applicable Credit Party or Secured Creditors for moneys and other property received by it hereunder or under any Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to any Credit Party as to any other Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any of its agents or nominees, or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto.

 

4.10 Fees, Taxes, etc . The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay any and all stamp, document, transfer, filing, recording, registration, excise or sales fees and taxes and all similar impositions and any and all reasonable Lien searches now or hereafter payable or determined in good faith by the Collateral Agent to be payable in connection with this Agreement, the Security Documents, or any other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in connection herewith or therewith and agrees to hold the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Creditor harmless from and against any and all present or future claims or liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay, any such fees, taxes or impositions. Such agreement extends, without limitation, to any and all taxes or other state documentary stamp or intangible tax with respect to the filing or recording of any financing statements or mortgages in connection herewith or in connection with any Security Document, regardless of whom such taxes are levied or assessed against. The obligations of the Credit Parties under this Section 4.10 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement and the termination of any Security Document.

 

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4.11 Maintenance of Liens . Each Credit Party at its expense will cause financing statements (and continuation statements with respect to such financing statements), and any mortgages or other appropriate instruments from time to time constituting Security Documents, to be recorded, published, registered and filed in such manner, at such times and in such places, and will pay all such recording, publishing, registration, filing or other taxes, fees and charges, and will do such other acts and things as may be reasonably required by the Collateral Agent from time to time to establish, perfect, maintain, preserve, and protect the Liens of the Security Documents as valid and perfected Liens on the Collateral covered thereby, prior to all other Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

4.12 Further Assurances . At any time and from time to time, upon the request of the Collateral Agent, and at the expense of the Credit Party, each Credit Party will promptly execute and deliver any and all such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as are necessary or reasonably requested to establish, confirm, maintain and continue and to perfect, or to protect the perfection of, the Liens created and intended to be created hereunder and under the Security Documents, and all assignments made or intended to be made pursuant thereto, or to obtain the full benefits of this Agreement and the Security Documents and of the rights and powers herein and therein granted, including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of any further deeds, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, security agreements, pledges and further assurances and the filing of any financing or continuation statements. Each Credit Party also hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file financing statements and continuation statements at any time with respect to any Collateral.

 

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

5.1 Collateral Account . The Collateral Agent shall establish one or more deposit accounts, titled in its own name as Collateral Agent hereunder (collectively, the “Collateral Account”). The Collateral Agent shall maintain the Collateral Account as agent hereunder, and the assets therein shall be segregated and not commingled with other assets of the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Account shall be subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the Collateral Agent and shall constitute Collateral hereunder. All right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Account, funds on deposit therein from time to time, all proceeds of the conversion thereof into cash, instruments, securities or other property, and all other proceeds thereof, shall vest in the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, and each Credit Party hereby grants, conveys, assigns, pledges and transfers to the Collateral Agent, and grants to and creates in favor of the Collateral Agent a continuing Lien in, the foregoing. Each Credit Party hereby represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that such Lien shall at all times be valid, perfected and of first priority, subject to no other Lien whatever other than Permitted Liens, and each Credit Party, jointly and severally, shall take or cause to be taken such actions and shall execute and deliver such instruments and documents as may be necessary, appropriate, or in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable judgment desirable to perfect or protect the Lien and security interest intended to be created hereby. The Credit Parties shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien on any amounts or investment held in the Collateral Account other than the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent granted under this Section 5.1 .

 

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5.2 Investment . The Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest moneys on deposit in the Collateral Account in Cash Equivalents in its own name as agent hereunder, and all such investments and the interest and income received thereon and the net proceeds on the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in the Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity to make a distribution pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof.

 

5.3 Deposits . The Collateral Agent, the Credit Parties and the Secured Creditors each agree to deposit in the Collateral Account, or with the Collateral Agent, for deposit in the Collateral Account, (i) all funds required to be so deposited under any Security Document or any other Loan Document, (ii) all Mandatory Prepayment Amounts, and (iii) all Setoff Amounts. No other funds shall be deposited in the Collateral Account or commingled with funds in the Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall establish two separate subaccounts within the Collateral Account for each Credit Party, and the Collateral Agent shall deposit into the corresponding subaccounts all funds representing proceeds of (A) Receivable Rights and (B) Non-Receivable Collateral, to be deposited in the Collateral Account received from or on behalf of such Credit Party (including but not limited to proceeds of Collateral owned by such Credit Party). The Collateral Agent may establish such other subaccounts as it deems appropriate from time to time.

 

5.4 Distributions . The Collateral Agent shall make distributions from the Collateral Account (a) promptly upon receipt of any Setoff Amount, (b) as to any Mandatory Prepayment Amount, promptly upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that (i) all Noteholders have irrevocably accepted or rejected the Borrowers’ related offer of prepayment in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement or (ii) the Available Proceeds Prepayment Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement on the date hereof) for the related prepayment has passed, and (c) from time to time in its reasonable discretion or when directed by the Required Creditors or at such other times as may be required by Law; provided, however, that the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to (A) apply monies held by it in the Collateral Account to the payment of due and unpaid Collateral Agent Obligations and (B) request certification in writing from the Secured Creditors as to amounts then outstanding or any other matters required by the Collateral Agent to make such distributions. All monies held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account shall, to the extent available for distribution, be distributed by the Collateral Agent as follows:

 

First : to the Collateral Agent for any Collateral Agent Obligations due and unpaid upon such distribution date;

 

Second : to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Creditors, pro rata, for any Obligations owing to any of them incurred in connection with any actions taken or expenses (x) incurred by them in their capacity acting as an agent for any other Secured Creditors under the Loan Documents or (y) of a similar nature to the Collateral Agent Obligations;

 

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Third : as to any funds held in the Collateral Account representing proceeds of:

 

(a) Receivable Rights (or investments or proceeds thereof), first , to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts owing to each Lender on the outstanding Working Capital Obligations, until all such amounts are paid in full, and, second , on a Pro Rata Basis, to (i) the Noteholders and (ii) the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders and Swap Creditors, until, in each case, all such amounts are paid in full;

 

(b) Non-Receivable Collateral (or investments or proceeds thereof) other than any proceeds of the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Equity Interest, first , on a Pro Rata Basis, to pay Noteholder Obligations and Acquisition Obligations, to (i) the Noteholders (in proportion to the respective amounts owing to each Noteholder) and (ii) the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders and Swap Creditors, in proportion to the respective amounts owing to each Lender and Swap Creditor on the outstanding Acquisition Obligations, until, in each case, all such amounts are paid in full, and, second , to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts owing to each Lender on the outstanding Working Capital Obligations, until all such amounts are paid in full; and

 

(c) any proceeds of the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Equity Interest, on a Pro Rata Basis to the Secured Creditors, until all Secured Obligations amounts are paid in full,

 

in each case to be applied, first , to outstanding amounts other than those attributable to principal owing to each Secured Creditor receiving such payment, and second , to amounts attributable to principal; and

 

Finally : if all Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash, all commitments to extend credit under the Lender Documents shall have been terminated irrevocably, and all outstanding Letters of Credit shall have been cancelled, any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the applicable Credit Party or its successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

5.5 Calculations . In making the determinations and allocations required by Section 5.4 hereof, the Collateral Agent may rely upon written information supplied by each Secured Creditor as to the amounts owing to such Secured Creditor that are described in item “Fourth” above. The Collateral Agent shall have no liability to any Secured Creditor for actions taken in reliance on such information. All distributions made by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof shall be final as against the Collateral Agent (subject to any decree of any court of competent jurisdiction), and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to inquire as to the application by any Secured Creditor of any amounts distributed to them.

 

5.6 Application of Monies .

 

(a) Each Secured Creditor agrees to apply monies distributed under Section 5.4 hereof to satisfaction of the corresponding obligation described therein. In the

 

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case of any Secured Obligations in the form of Contingent Reimbursement Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, and in addition to matured reimbursement obligations resulting from actual draws under Letters of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer may, for purposes of this Agreement and the distribution of monies pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof, treat the amount of such Contingent Reimbursement Obligations to be “due and payable” on any distribution date if, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent has declared (or there shall automatically have been declared) all amounts owing to the Lenders under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. If the Letter of Credit Issuer receives any distribution on account of any such Contingent Reimbursement Obligation, it shall apply the same to, or hold the same as collateral for, the related Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b) All payments required to be made hereunder shall be made (x) if to the Lender Creditors, to the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement for the account of the Lender Creditors, and (y) if to the Swap Creditors or the Noteholders, to the trustee, paying agent or other similar representative for such Swap Creditors or Noteholders of which such Swap Creditors or Noteholders advise the Collateral Agent of in writing, or, in the absence of such a representative, directly to such Swap Creditors or Noteholders.

 

(c) For purposes of applying payments received in accordance with this Article V, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i) the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, and (ii) any representative for the Swap Creditors or the Noteholders, or, in the absence of such a representative, upon the Swap Creditors or the Noteholders, as applicable, for a determination (which the Administrative Agent, each representative for any Secured Creditors and the Secured Creditors agree (or shall agree) to provide upon request of the Collateral Agent).

 

ARTICLE VI

THE COLLATERAL AGENT

 

6.1 General Nature of Duties . The Collateral Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Security Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of the Collateral Agent shall be read into this Agreement or any Security Document or shall otherwise exist. The duties and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent shall be administrative in nature, and the Collateral Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Secured Creditor. The Collateral Agent is and shall be solely the agent of the Secured Creditors. The Collateral Agent does not assume, and shall not at any time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency or trust with or for, or any other duty or responsibility to, any Credit Party or any Person other than the Secured Creditors. The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to take any action hereunder or under any Security Document if the Collateral Agent believes in good faith that taking such action may conflict with any Law or any provision of this Agreement or any Security Document, or may require the Collateral Agent to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified.

 

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6.2 General Exculpation . Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of any Security Document, but subject to Section 6.5 hereof, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable to any Credit Party, any Secured Creditor or any other Person for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any Security Document or in connection herewith or therewith unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

6.3 Certain Disclaimers . The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to any Secured Creditor for: (a) the execution, delivery, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability or adequacy of this Agreement or any Security Document, (b) any recital, report, statement, document, certificate, warranty or representation made by or on behalf of any Person other than the Collateral Agent contained herein or therein or given or made in connection herewith or therewith, (c) the validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation, continued perfection or recordation, priority, adequacy or value, now or at any time in the future, of any security purported to be afforded hereby or by any of the Security Documents or (d) insuring the Collateral or paying any taxes, charges or assessments or discharging Liens on any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to any Secured Creditor to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to (x) the performance or observance by any Credit Party or any other Person of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, any Security Document or any Loan Document, (y) the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of any Credit Party or any other Person or (z) the existence or possible existence of default or event of default under any Security Document or other Loan Document. The Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have any knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any event of default under any Security Document or other Loan Document unless the Collateral Agent has received notice from a Credit Party or Secured Creditor referring to this Agreement, describing such event of default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”

 

6.4 Right to Require Indemnity . The Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder or under any Security Document, at the direction of the Required Creditors or another Person or set of Persons, unless it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Secured Creditors or by such Person or set of Persons against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action (including without limitation any expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 6.6(c) hereof).

 

6.5 Delegation of Duties . The Collateral Agent may execute any of its duties as Collateral Agent hereunder or under any Security Document by or through agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it pursuant to its reasonable business judgment, except as to money or securities received by it or its authorized agents. The Collateral Agent may hold securities pledged to it under any Security Document in the name of a nominee, including without limitation in the name of any affiliate of the Collateral Agent.

 

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6.6 Reliance, etc .

 

(a) Whenever in the administration of duties under this Agreement or the Security Documents the Collateral Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established with respect to any Credit Party or any other Person in connection with the taking, suffering or omitting of any action hereunder or thereunder by the Collateral Agent, such matter (unless other evidence with respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be provided or established by a certificate of such Credit Party or any other Person delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the absence of its gross negligence or willful misconduct the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely thereon.

 

(b) The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, statement, paper, document, telephone conversation or other communication believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons (whether or not made in the manner specified herein or in the applicable Security Documents). In the absence of its gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely upon the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed in any certificates or opinions furnished to the Collateral Agent and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement or any Security Document.

 

(c) The Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (including in-house counsel), independent public accountants and any other experts selected by it concerning all matters pertaining to its duties hereunder and under the Security Documents and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith, in reliance on advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

(d) The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation or duty to take any action hereunder or under any Security Document if taking such action (i) would subject the Collateral Agent to a tax in any jurisdiction where it is not then subject to a tax, unless it is first fully indemnified to its satisfaction against such tax, or (ii) would require the Collateral Agent to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, or (iii) shall conflict with any provision of Law or of this Agreement or any Security Document.

 

6.7 Representations, etc . Each Secured Creditor expressly acknowledges (a) that the Collateral Agent has not made any representations or warranties to it, except as expressly set forth herein, and that no act by the Collateral Agent taken heretofore or hereafter, including without limitation any review of the affairs of any Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Collateral Agent to any Secured Creditor; (b) that it has made and will make its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs (including, without limitation, investigation and examination of any agreements or instruments pertaining to the transactions contemplated by the Security Documents and the Loan Documents), and its own appraisal of the credit-worthiness of the Credit Parties; and (c) that it has made its own independent investigation and evaluation of the legal matters relating to this Agreement, the Security Documents and the Loan Documents.

 

6.8 Disclosure . The Collateral Agent shall promptly furnish to each Loan Party, in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 7.2 , all notices and other material

 

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written information pertaining to the Collateral received by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any the Security Document.

 

6.9 Collateral Agent in Individual Capacity . The Collateral Agent and its affiliates may, without liability to account, make loans to, accept deposits from, act as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of banking or trust business with, the Credit Parties and their respective stockholders, subsidiaries and affiliates as though it were not acting as Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

6.10 Moneys to be Held As Agent . All moneys received by the Collateral Agent under or pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Security Document shall be held by it as agent for the purposes for which they were paid or are held. The Collateral Agent shall not, except as otherwise provided herein, be liable for any interest thereon.

 

6.11 Responsible Parties . The Collateral Agent may deem and treat each Secured Creditor named herein (or in any other Loan Document provided to the Collateral Agent) as the Secured Creditor hereunder and under the Security Documents for all purposes hereof unless and until written notice of the permitted assignment or transfer of such Secured Creditor’s rights hereunder and thereunder shall have been filed with the Collateral Agent. Any request, instruction, authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making such request or giving such instruction, authority or consent is a Secured Creditor hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent successor, assignee or transferee.

 

6.12 Intentionally Omitted .

 

6.13 Expenses . The Credit Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to pay or cause to be paid and to save the Collateral Agent harmless against liability for the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting costs) incurred by the Collateral Agent from time to time arising from or relating to (i) the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, administration and performance of this Agreement or any Security Document or other instruments or documents related hereto or thereto, (ii) any amendments, modifications, waivers or consents (whether or not ultimately entered into or granted) hereto or thereto, (iii) the enforcement or preservation of rights hereunder or thereunder (including but not limited to any such costs or expenses arising from or relating to (x) the protection, collection, lease, sale, taking possession of, preservation of, or realization under or with respect to, any Collateral or the Collateral Agent’s Lien thereon, including without limitation advances for storage, insurance premiums, transportation charges, taxes, filing fees and the like, (y) collection or enforcement of any other amount owing hereunder or thereunder by the Collateral Agent, and (z) any litigation, proceeding, dispute, work-out, restructuring or rescheduling related in any way to this Agreement or any other Security Document or any other agreement or instrument related hereto or thereto). The agreements contained in this Section 6.13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

6.14 Indemnity . The Credit Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent, its affiliates, and their respective directors,

 

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officers, employees, attorneys and agents (“Collateral Agent Indemnified Parties”), and each of them, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party shall be designated a party thereto) which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any Security Document or any agreement or instrument in connection therewith or the matters referred to herein or therein, or the administration or enforcement hereof or thereof, or any action taken or omitted by the Collateral Agent hereunder or thereunder; provided , however, that the Credit Parties shall not be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The agreements contained in this Section 6.14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

6.15 Indemnification by Secured Creditors . Each Secured Creditor hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify each Collateral Agent Indemnified Party (to the extent such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party is not reimbursed by the Credit Parties and without limitation of the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), pro rata according to the respective amounts of Secured Obligations owing to each of them, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party shall be designated a party thereto) which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any Security Document or any agreement or instrument in connection therewith or the matters referred to herein or therein, or the administration or enforcement hereof or thereof, or any action taken or omitted by the Collateral Agent hereunder or thereunder; provided , however, that no Loan Party shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party. The agreements contained in this Section 6.15 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

6.16 Collateral Agent Obligations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to apply any of the funds held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account to Collateral Agent Obligations.

 

6.17 Successor Collateral Agent .

 

(a) The Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days prior written notice thereof to each Loan Party and the Credit Parties. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default under any of the Loan Documents, the Required Creditors may remove the Collateral Agent upon not less than 30 days prior written notice

 

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thereof to the Collateral Agent, each Loan Party and the Credit Parties. Such resignation or removal shall be effective on the date specified in such notice and, on such date, the resigning or removed Collateral Agent shall be automatically discharged from its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without requirement of any further action by such resigning or removed Collateral Agent. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Creditors shall have the right to appoint a successor Collateral Agent (subject to the approval of the Credit Parties so long as no default or event of default exists under any Loan Document, such approval not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after such notice of resignation or removal, then the resigning or removed Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Creditors, may, but shall not be obligated to, appoint a successor Collateral Agent. If no successor Collateral Agent shall be appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after such notice of resignation or removal, any Secured Creditor may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Collateral Agent until such time, if any, as a successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed as provided in this Section 6.17 . Any successor so appointed by such court shall immediately and without further act be superseded by any successor Collateral Agent appointed by the Loan Parties as provided in this Section 6.17 .

 

(b) Any successor Collateral Agent shall be either a Lender or a commercial bank or trust company organized under the Laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.

 

(c) Upon the acceptance by a successor Collateral Agent of its appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder, such successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all of the properties, rights, powers, duties, authority and title of the retiring Collateral Agent in its capacity as such, without any further act, deed or conveyance; but such predecessor Collateral Agent shall nevertheless, on the request of any Credit Party, any Loan Party or the successor Collateral Agent from time to time, execute and deliver instruments transferring and confirming to such successor all the properties, rights, powers, duties, authority and title of such predecessor, and shall deliver all securities and moneys held by it or them to such successor agent or agents. After any Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder as Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties under this Agreement and the Security Documents in its capacity as Collateral Agent, but the provisions of this Article V shall continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it while it was Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the Security Documents. If and so long as no successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed, then any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given by the retiring Collateral Agent shall be sufficiently given if given by the Loan Parties acting jointly and all notices or other communications required or permitted to be given to the retiring Collateral Agent shall be given to the Loan Parties.

 

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Security Documents to the contrary, neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to any Secured Creditor for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Section 6.17 .

 

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(e) Any corporation into which the Collateral Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Collateral Agent shall be a party, shall be the successor of the Collateral Agent hereof.

 

6.18 Co-Collateral Agent . If the Collateral Agent shall from time to time deem it necessary or advisable, for its own protection in the performance of its duties hereunder or in the interest of the Secured Creditors, the parties hereto shall (subject to their approval so long as they are not in default under any Loan Document, such approval not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) execute and deliver a supplemental agreement and all other instruments and agreements necessary or advisable, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, to constitute another commercial bank or trust company, or one or more other Persons approved by the Collateral Agent, to act as co-Collateral Agent or agent with respect to any part of the Collateral, with such powers of the Collateral Agent as may be provided in such supplemental agreement, and to vest in such bank, trust company or Person as such co-Collateral Agent or separate agent, as the case may be, any properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any Security Document.

 

6.19 Delivery of Documents . On the date hereof the Credit Parties shall deliver to the Collateral Agent true and complete copies of all material Loan Documents. The Credit Parties shall, promptly upon the execution thereof, deliver to the Collateral Agent a true and complete copy of any and all Security Documents and all material amendments, modifications or supplements to the Loan Documents.

 

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1 Amendments, Supplements and Waivers . With the prior written consent of each of the Required Creditors, or as otherwise expressly permitted under the Security Documents and other Loan Documents, the Collateral Agent and the applicable Credit Parties may from time to time enter into amendments, modifications or supplements to this Agreement or any Security Document for the purpose of amending, adding to, or waiving any provisions of, this Agreement or any Security Document, releasing any Collateral (except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.1 hereof), releasing or limiting the obligations of any Credit Party under any Security Document, or changing in any manner the rights of the Collateral Agent, any Secured Creditor or any Credit Party hereunder or thereunder. The Collateral Agent shall enter into such agreements from time to time as directed by the Loan Parties, and only as so directed; provided , that the Collateral Agent shall not be required, without its consent, to enter into any amendment of Article V hereof or any amendment which would materially enlarge its duties or responsibilities (or lessen the protections afforded to it) hereunder or under the Security Documents. Any such amendment, modification or supplement made in accordance with this Section 7.1 shall be binding upon each Credit Party and each Secured Creditor and their respective successors and assigns. No amendment, modification or supplement relating hereto or to any Security Document shall be effective unless in writing manually signed by or on behalf of the party to be charged therewith (it being understood that any such amendment, modification or supplement signed by the Collateral Agent shall be binding upon each Secured Creditor as aforesaid). The Collateral Agent shall furnish each Loan Party with a fully executed or

 

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conformed copy of any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver promptly after the effectiveness thereof.

 

7.2 Notices . Except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications (collectively “notices”) given or made under this Agreement or any Security Document shall be given in writing (including telexed and facsimile communications) and shall be sent by first-class mail, nationally-recognized overnight courier, telex or facsimile transmission (with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent by such an overnight courier) or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent to the applicable party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof or in accordance with the last unrevoked written direction from such party to the other parties hereto, in all cases with postage or other charges prepaid. Any such properly given notice to a Secured Creditor shall be effective when received. Any such properly given notice to a Credit Party shall be effective upon the earliest to occur of receipt, telephone confirmation of receipt of telex or facsimile transmission communication, one Business Day after delivery to a nationally-recognized overnight courier, five Business Days after deposit in the mail, or when telephoned (to the extent that notice is permitted by telephone).

 

7.3 No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No course of dealing and no delay or failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Creditor in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Security Document, any Loan Document, or any other documents or instruments pursuant to or in connection herewith shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or exercise of any other right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Creditor under this Agreement, the Security Documents, the Loan Documents and all other agreements and instruments pursuant to or in connection herewith or therewith are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of them would otherwise have. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of the Collateral Agent of any breach or default under, or term or condition of, this Agreement or any Security Document shall be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

 

7.4 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement and of the Security Documents are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement or any Security Document shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof in any jurisdiction. Where, however, such invalidity or unenforceability may be waived, it is hereby waived by each Credit Party to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to the end that this Agreement and the Security Documents shall be valid and binding agreements enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

- 29 -


7.5 Prior Understandings . This Agreement and the Security Documents supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, among the parties hereto relating to the transactions provided for herein.

 

7.6 Survival . All representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained herein or in any Security Document or made in connection herewith or therewith shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Creditors and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Security Documents, any knowledge of or investigation by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Creditor, and all other events and conditions whatever. All statements in any financial statement, certificate, document or instrument from time to time delivered by or on behalf of any Credit Party under or in connection with this Agreement or any Security Document shall be deemed to constitute representations and warranties by such Credit Party.

 

7.7 Counterparts . This Agreement and any Security Document may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto or thereto on separate counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

7.8 Termination of Liens . Except as otherwise provided in any Security Document, upon payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than indemnification obligations for which no claim is made), termination of the obligations of each Lender Creditor to extend credit under the Lender Documents, and expiration of all letters of credit issued by any Lender Creditor under the Lender Documents and all Secured Swap Contracts, the Liens created hereby and by the Security Documents shall terminate. Except as otherwise provided in any Security Document, upon such termination, the Collateral Agent will, at the expense of the Credit Parties, redeliver and reassign to the Credit Parties any remaining Collateral in its possession and take all action necessary to terminate the Lien of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral.

 

7.9 Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto (and the Collateral Agent Indemnified Parties), and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that no Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Secured Creditor and no Secured Creditor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (a) to the extent such transfer in accordance with terms of the applicable Loan Document and (b) upon delivery of a joinder or other agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, evidencing the transferee’s agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Intercreditor Agreement (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).

 

7.10 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH; PROVIDED THAT THE

 

- 30 -


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH SECURED CREDITOR SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

 

(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA SITTING IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF THE COMMONWEALTH, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH SECURED CREDITOR CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH SECURED CREDITOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO. THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH SECURED CREDITOR WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

 

7.11 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 7.11 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

7.12 Several Obligations of Controlled-Non Profits . Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to modify the limitations on the Obligations of any Controlled Non-Profit under any Loan Document, as such limitations are more fully described under Section 14.9(f) of the Credit Agreement and Section 23.1 of the Purchase Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

FLEET NATIONAL BANK

in its capacity as a Lender, as Administrative

Agent and as Collateral Agent

By:

  /s/    Kenneth G. Wood
   

Name:

 

Kenneth G. Wood

   

Title:

 

Senior Vice President

 

SOVEREIGN BANK

By:

  /s/    Karl F. Schultz
   

Name:

 

Karl F. Schultz

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

COMMERCE BANK, N.A.

By:

  /s/    Peter L. Davis
   

Name:

 

Peter L. Davis

   

Title:

 

Senior Vice President

 

S-1 [Intercreditor Agreement]


SFT I, Inc.

By:

  /s/    Roger M. Cozzi
   

Name:

 

Roger M. Cozzi

   

Title:

 

Executive Vice President

 

The Prudential Insurance Company of America

By:

  /s/    Yvonne Guajardo
   

Name:

 

Yvonne Guajardo

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

Prudential Retirement Insurance and

Annuity Company

By:

  Prudential Investment Management,

Inc., as investment manager

By:

  /s/    Yvonne Guajardo
   

Name:

 

Yvonne Guajardo

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

S-2 [Intercreditor Agreement]


STONEMOR GP LLC

By:

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.

By:

 

STONEMOR GP LLC

   

its General Partner

By:

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

STONEMOR OPERATING LLC

By:

  /s/    Paul Waimberg
   

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

   

Title:

 

Vice President

 

S-3 [Intercreditor Agreement]


Alleghany Memorial Park LLC

Alleghany Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Altavista Memorial Park LLC

Altavista Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Arlington Development Company

Augusta Memorial Park Perpetual Care Company

Bedford County Memorial Park LLC

Bedford County Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

Bethel Cemetery Association

Beth Israel Cemetery Association of Woodbridge, New Jersey

Birchlawn Burial Park LLC

Birchlawn Burial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens LLC

Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

Butler County Memorial Park LLC

Butler County Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Cedar Hill Funeral Home, Inc.

Cemetery Investments LLC

Cemetery Investments Subsidiary, Inc.

Cemetery Management Services, L.L.C.

Cemetery Management Services of Mid-Atlantic States, L.L.C.

Cemetery Management Services of Ohio, L.L.C.

Cemetery Management Services of Pennsylvania, L.L.C.

Chartiers Cemetery LLC

Chartiers Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Clover Leaf Park Cemetery Association

CMS West LLC

CMS West Subsidiary LLC

Columbia Memorial Park LLC

Columbia Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

The Corapolis Cemetery Company

The Coraopolis Cemetery Parent LLC

The Coraopolis Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Cornerstone Family Insurance Services, Inc.

Cornerstone Family Services of New Jersey, Inc.

Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia LLC

Cornerstone Family Services of West Virginia Subsidiary, Inc.

Cornerstone Funeral and Cremation Services LLC

 

By:

 

/s/    Paul Waimberg

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

Title:

 

As Vice President for each of the

   

above-named Credit Parties

 

S-4 [Intercreditor Agreement]


Covenant Acquisition LLC

Covenant Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.

Crown Hill Cemetery Association

Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc.

Glen Haven Memorial Park LLC

Glen Haven Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Green Lawn Memorial Park LLC

Green Lawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

Henlopen Memorial Park LLC

Henlopen Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Henry Memorial Park LLC

Henry Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

J.V. Walker LLC

J.V. Walker Subsidiary LLC

Juniata Memorial Park LLC

Juniata Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

KIRIS LLC

KIRIS Subsidiary, Inc.

Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery LLC

Lakewood/Hamilton Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

Lakewood Memory Gardens South LLC

Lakewood Memory Gardens South Subsidiary, Inc.

Laurel Hill Memorial Park LLC

Laurel Hill Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Laurelwood Cemetery Company

Laurelwood Cemetery Parent LLC

Laurelwood Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Laurelwood Holding Company

Legacy Estates, Inc.

Locustwood Cemetery Association

Loewen [Virginia] LLC

Loewen [Virginia] Subsidiary, Inc.

Lorraine Park Cemetery LLC

Lorraine Park Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

Melrose Land LLC

Melrose Land Subsidiary LLC

Modern Park Development LLC

Modern Park Development Subsidiary, Inc.

Morris Cemetery Perpetual Care Company

Mount Lebanon Cemetery LLC

 

By:

  /s/    Paul Waimberg

Name:

    Paul Waimberg

Title:

 

As Vice President for each of the

   

above-named Credit Parties

 

S-5 [Intercreditor Agreement]


Mount Lebanon Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Mt. Airy Cemetery, Inc.

Mt. Airy Cemetery Parent LLC

Mt. Airy Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Oak Hill Cemetery LLC

Oak Hill Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

Osiris Holding Finance Company

Osiris Holding of Maryland LLC

Osiris Holding of Maryland Subsidiary, Inc.

Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania LLC

Osiris Holding of Pennsylvania Subsidiary LLC

Osiris Holding of Rhode Island LLC

Osiris Holding of Rhode Island Subsidiary, Inc.

Osiris Management, Inc.

Osiris Telemarketing Corp.

Perpetual Gardens.Com, Inc.

The Prospect Cemetery LLC

The Prospect Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Prospect Hill Cemetery LLC

Prospect Hill Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

PVD Acquisitions LLC

PVD Acquisitions Subsidiary, Inc.

Riverside Cemetery LLC

Riverside Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Riverview Memorial Gardens LLC

Riverview Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

Rockbridge Memorial Gardens LLC

Rockbridge Memorial Gardens Subsidiary Company

Rolling Green Memorial Park LLC

Rolling Green Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

Rose Lawn Cemeteries LLC

Rose Lawn Cemeteries Subsidiary, Incorporated

Roselawn Development LLC

Roselawn Development Subsidiary Corporation

Russell Memorial Cemetery LLC

Russell Memorial Cemetery Subsidiary, Inc.

Shenandoah Memorial Park LLC

Shenandoah Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

 

By:

 

/s/    Paul Waimberg

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

Title:

 

As Vice President for each of the

   

above-named Credit Parties

 

S-6 [Intercreditor Agreement]


Southern Memorial Sales LLC

Southern Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.

Springhill Memory Gardens LLC

Springhill Memory Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.

Star City Memorial Sales LLC

Star City Memorial Sales Subsidiary, Inc.

Stitham LLC

Stitham Subsidiary, Incorporated

Sunset Memorial Gardens LLC

Sunset Memorial Gardens Subsidiary, Inc.

Sunset Memorial Park LLC

Sunset Memorial Park Subsidiary, Inc.

Temple Hill LLC

Temple Hill Subsidiary Corporation

Tioga County Memorial Gardens LLC

Tioga County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

Tri-County Memorial Gardens LLC

Tri-County Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum LLC

Twin Hills Memorial Park and Mausoleum Subsidiary LLC

The Valhalla Cemetery Company LLC

The Valhalla Cemetery Subsidiary Corporation

Virginia Memorial Service LLC

Virginia Memorial Service Subsidiary Corporation

WNCI LLC

W N C Subsidiary, Inc.

Westminster Cemetery LLC

Westminster Cemetery Subsidiary LLC

Wicomico Memorial Parks LLC

Wicomico Memorial Parks Subsidiary, Inc.

Willowbrook Management Corp.

Woodlawn Memorial Gardens LLC

Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Subsidiary LLC

Woodlawn Memorial Park Association

Woodlawn Memorial Park Parent LLC

Woodlawn Memorial Park Subsidiary LLC

 

By:

 

/s/    Paul Waimberg

Name:

 

Paul Waimberg

Title:

 

As Vice President for each of the

   

above-named Credit Parties

 

S-7 [Intercreditor Agreement]

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

Certification Pursuant to

Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

I, Lawrence Miller, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of StoneMor Partners L.P.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 15, 2004

 

/s/ Lawrence Miller

Lawrence Miller

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the

Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

Certification Pursuant to

Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

I, William R. Shane, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of StoneMor Partners L.P.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 15, 2004

 

/s/ William R. Shane

William R. Shane

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of StoneMor GP LLC, the general partner of StoneMor Partners L.P., hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that:

 

(1) The Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

 

Dated: November 15, 2004

         

/s/ Lawrence Miller

           

Name:

 

Lawrence Miller

           

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), I, William R. Shane, Chief Financial Officer of StoneMor GP LLC, the general partner of StoneMor Partners L.P., hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that:

 

(1) The Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

 

Dated: November 15, 2004

         

/s/ William R. Shane

           

Name:

 

William R. Shane

           

Title:

  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)