UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 3, 2007

 


American Superconductor Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 


 

Delaware   000-19672   04-2959321

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

Two Technology Drive, Westborough, MA   01581
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (508) 836-4200

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 



Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On August 3, 2007, American Superconductor Corporation (the “Company”) held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) where the Company’s shareholders approved the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and the 2007 Director Stock Plan (the “2007 Director Plan”). The 2007 Plan and the 2007 Director Plan had been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) on May 15, 2007, subject to shareholder approval. The 2007 Plan and 2007 Director Plan provide for the grant of up to 3,000,000 shares and 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively.

2007 Plan Description

The full text of the 2007 Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, Exhibit 10.1.

Subject to the limitations contained therein, the 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and other stock-based awards. Employees, officers, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the 2007 Plan. No award may be made under the 2007 Plan after August 2, 2017, but awards previously granted may extend beyond that date. The 2007 Plan is administered by the Board, which also has authority to interpret the terms of the 2007 Plan. In accordance with the terms of the 2007 Plan, the Board has delegated to its Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) authority to administer certain aspects of the 2007 Plan, including the granting of options to executive officers. In addition, the Board has authorized Mr. Yurek to grant options and restricted stock awards, subject to limitations set by the Compensation Committee, to employees other than executive officers. The Board, the Compensation Committee, Mr. Yurek or any other committee to whom the Board delegates authority, as the case may be, selects the recipients of awards under the 2007 Plan and determines (i) the number of shares of common stock covered by options and the dates upon which such options become exercisable, (ii) the exercise price of options (which may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant), (iii) the duration of options, and (iv) the number of shares of common stock subject to any stock appreciation right, restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award or other stock-based awards and the terms and conditions of such awards, including conditions for repurchase, issue price and repurchase price.

The forms of agreement for incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock awards to executive officers and restricted stock awards to employees other than executive officers to be granted under the 2007 Plan are filed as Exhibit 10.2, Exhibit 10.3, Exhibit 10.4 and Exhibit 10.05, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

2007 Director Plan Description

The full text of the 2007 Director Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, Exhibit 10.6.

The 2007 Director Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options and stock awards to directors who are not our employees or the employee of any of our subsidiaries (“Outside Directors”) as follows: (i) each Outside Director initially elected to the Board after August 3, 2007 will be granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock upon his or her initial election to the Board; and (ii)


each Outside Director will be granted an award of 5,000 shares of common stock three business days following each annual meeting of stockholders, provided that such Outside Director had served as a director for at least one year. Subject to the provisions of the 2007 Director Plan, each option granted pursuant to the 2007 Director Plan shall become exercisable in equal annual installments over a two year period following the date of grant. The 2007 Director Plan is administered by the Board, which also has authority to interpret the terms of the 2007 Director Plan. In accordance with the terms of the 2007 Director Plan, the Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee authority to administer the 2007 Director Plan. No award may be made under the 2007 Director Plan after August 2, 2017, but awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

The form of nonstatutory stock option agreement under the 2007 Director Plan has been filed as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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

On August 3, 2007, the Company entered into a severance agreement (the “Agreement”) with David A. Henry, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Agreement provides for certain severance benefits to Mr. Henry in the event that his employment is terminated: (i) by the Company without Cause in the absence of a Change in Control of the Company; or (ii) by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Henry for Good Reason following a Change in Control of the Company (each term as defined in the Agreement). These benefits primarily consist of the continuation of Mr. Henry’s salary and employee benefits for a period of 18 months following termination.

The foregoing summary of the Agreement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of the Agreement, which has been filed as Exhibit 10.8 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) See the Exhibit Index attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURE

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

 

  AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Date: August 7 , 2007

  By:  

/s/ David A. Henry

    David A. Henry
   

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

10.1   2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.2   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.3   Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.4   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (regarding awards to executive officers) under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.5   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (regarding awards to employees other than executive officers) under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.6   2007 Director Stock Plan.
10.7   Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement under 2007 Director Stock Plan.
10.8   Severance Agreement dated as of August 3, 2007 between the Registrant and David A. Henry.

Exhibit 10.1

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

2007 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purpose

The purpose of this 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

2. Eligibility

All of the Company’s employees, officers, consultants and advisors are eligible to receive options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock-based awards (each, an “Award”) under the Plan. Each person who receives an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant”.

 

3. Administration and Delegation

(a) Administration by Board of Directors . The Plan will be administered by the Board. The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board’s sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No director or person acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action or determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith.

(b) Appointment of Committees . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a “Committee”). All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board or the officers referred to in Section 3(c) to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee or officers.


(c) Delegation to Officers . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards (subject to any limitations under the Plan) to employees or officers of the Company or any of its present or future subsidiary corporations and to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board may determine, provided that the Board shall fix the terms of the Awards to be granted by such officers (including the exercise price of such Awards, which may include a formula by which the exercise price will be determined) and the maximum number of shares subject to Awards that the officers may grant; provided further, however, that no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to any “executive officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) or to any “officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act).

 

4. Stock Available for Awards

(a) Number of Shares; Share Counting .

(1) Authorized Number of Shares . Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

(2) Share Counting . For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan and under the sub-limits contained in Section 4(b)(2), (i) all shares of Common Stock covered by independent SARs shall be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of Awards; provided , however , that independent SARs that may be settled in cash only shall not be so counted; (ii) if any Award (A) expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or (B) results in any Common Stock not being issued (including as a result of an independent SAR that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash), the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards; provided , however , in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined), the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under the Code; and provided further, in the case of independent SARs, that the full number of shares subject to any stock-settled SAR shall be counted against the shares available under the Plan and against the sub-limits listed in the first clause of this Section regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle such SAR upon exercise; (iii) shares of Common Stock tendered to the Company by a Participant to (A) purchase shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Award or (B) satisfy tax withholding obligations (including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation) shall not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of Awards; and (iv) shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Award shall not increase the number of shares available for future grant of Awards.

 

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(b) Sub-limits . Subject to adjustment under Section 9, the following sub-limits on the number of shares subject to Awards shall apply:

(1) Section 162(m) Per-Participant Limit . The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 1,000,000 per calendar year. For purposes of the foregoing limit, the combination of an Option in tandem with an SAR (as each is hereafter defined) shall be treated as a single Award. The per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b)(1) shall be construed and applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder (“Section 162(m)”).

(2) Limit on Awards other than Options and SARS . The maximum number of shares with respect to which Awards other than Options and SARs may be granted shall be 600,000.

(c) Substitute Awards . In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a)(1) or any sub-limits contained in the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

 

5. Stock Options

(a) General . The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable. An Option which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a “Nonstatutory Stock Option”.

(b) Incentive Stock Options . An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of the Company, any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Section 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or for any action taken by the Board, including without limitation the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(c) Exercise Price . The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option and specify such exercise price in the applicable option agreement. The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) on the date the Option is granted;

 

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provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

(d) Duration of Options . Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable option agreement; provided , however , that no Option will be granted for a term in excess of 10 years.

(e) Exercise of Option . Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Board together with payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.

(f) Payment Upon Exercise. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:

(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

(2) except as the Board may otherwise provide in an option agreement, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

(3) when the Common Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value as determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board (“Fair Market Value”), provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant at least six months prior to such delivery and (iii) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;

(4) to the extent permitted by applicable law and by the Board and provided for in the option agreement, by (i) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Board, or (ii) payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or

(5) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

(g) Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders: (1) no outstanding Option granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding Option (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 9) and (2) the Board may not cancel any outstanding Option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled Option.

 

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6. Stock Appreciation Rights .

(a) General . A Stock Appreciation Right, or SAR, is an Award entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount in cash or Common Stock or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined in whole or in part by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of Common Stock. SARs may be based solely on appreciation in the fair market value of Common Stock or on a comparison of such appreciation with some other measure of market growth such as (but not limited to) appreciation in a recognized market index. The date as of which such appreciation or other measure is determined shall be the exercise date unless another date is specified by the Board in the SAR Award.

(b) Grants . SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, Options granted under the Plan.

(1) Tandem Awards . When SARs are expressly granted in tandem with Options, (i) the SAR will be exercisable only at such time or times, and to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable (except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event) and will be exercisable in accordance with the procedure required for exercise of the related Option; (ii) the SAR will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option, except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event and except that a SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by an Option will not be reduced until the number of shares as to which the related Option has been exercised or has terminated exceeds the number of shares not covered by the SAR; (iii) the Option will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the exercise of the related SAR; and (iv) the SAR will be transferable only with the related Option.

(2) Independent SARs . A SAR not expressly granted in tandem with an Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the Board may specify in the SAR Award.

(c) Exercise Price . The Board shall establish the exercise price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement. The exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of a SAR with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

(d) Duration of SARs . Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided , however , that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.

(e) Exercise of SARs . SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Board, together with any other documents required by the Board.

(f) Limitation on Repricing . Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders: (1) no outstanding SAR granted under the Plan may be amended to provide a

 

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exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding SAR (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 9) and (2) the Board may not cancel any outstanding SAR (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having a exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled SAR.

 

7. Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units .

(a) General . The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award. Instead of granting Awards for Restricted Stock, the Board may grant Awards entitling the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock or cash to be delivered at the time such Award vests (“Restricted Stock Units”) (Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units are each referred to herein as a “Restricted Stock Award”).

(b) Terms and Conditions . The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.

(c) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock .

(1) Dividends . Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such shares, unless otherwise provided by the Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if any dividends or distributions are paid in shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, the shares, cash or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Each dividend payment will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to shareholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date the dividends are paid to shareholders of that class of stock.

(2) Stock Certificates . Any stock certificates issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death (the “Designated Beneficiary”). In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, “Designated Beneficiary” shall mean the Participant’s estate.

 

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(3) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units .

(a) Settlement . Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one share of Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, as provided in the applicable Award agreement. The Board may, in its discretion, provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.

(b) Voting Rights . A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.

(c) Dividend Equivalents . To the extent provided by the Board, in its sole discretion, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participants, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and may be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which paid, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Board shall establish, in each case to be set forth in the applicable Award agreement.

 

8. Other Stock-Based Awards .

Other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property, may be granted hereunder to Participants (“Other Stock-Based Awards”). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the conditions of each Other Stock-Based Awards, including any purchase price applicable thereto.

 

9. Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events .

(a) Changes in Capitalization . In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under this Plan, (ii) the sub-limits and share counting rules set forth in Section 4(a) and Section 4(b), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option, (iv) the share- and per-share provisions and the exercise price of each SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award and (vi) the share- and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split

 

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of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.

(b) Reorganization Events .

(1) Definition . A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any exchange of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(2) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock Awards . In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock Awards on such terms as the Board determines: (i) provide that Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that the Participant’s unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the Acquisition Price times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Participant’s Awards (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the Acquisition Price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Awards and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Awards, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 9(b), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.

For purposes of clause (i) above, an Option shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, the Option confers the right to purchase, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders

 

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were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided , however , that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of Options to consist solely of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent in value (as determined by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.

(3) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock Awards . Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company under each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Award. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock Awards then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

 

10. General Provisions Applicable to Awards

(a) Transferability of Awards . Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; provided , however , that the Board may permit or provide in an Award for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if, with respect to such proposed transferee, the Company would be eligible to use a Form S-8 for the registration of the sale of the Common Stock subject to such Award under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; provided, further, that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such transfer until such time as the Participant and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.

(b) Documentation . Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

 

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(c) Board Discretion . Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.

(d) Termination of Status . The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.

(e) Withholding . The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Common Stock under an Award. The Company may decide to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations. Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise or release from forfeiture of an Award or, if the Company so requires, at the same time as is payment of the exercise price unless the Company determines otherwise. If provided for in an Award or approved by the Board in its sole discretion, a Participant may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value; provided , however , except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income). Shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

(f) Amendment of Award . The Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option, provided that the Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 9 hereof.

(g) Conditions on Delivery of Stock . The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.

 

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(h) Acceleration . The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be.

(i) Performance Awards .

(1) Grants . Restricted Stock Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan may be made subject to the achievement of performance goals pursuant to this Section 10(i) (“Performance Awards”), subject to the limit in Section 4(b) on shares covered by such grants.

(2) Committee . Grants of Performance Awards to any Covered Employee intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) (“Performance-Based Compensation”) shall be made only by a Committee (or subcommittee of a Committee) comprised solely of two or more directors eligible to serve on a committee making Awards qualifying as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). In the case of such Awards granted to Covered Employees, references to the Board or to a Committee shall be deemed to be references to such Committee or subcommittee. “Covered Employee” shall mean any person who is, or whom the Committee, in its discretion, determines may be, a “covered employee” under Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.

(3) Performance Measures . For any Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee shall specify that the degree of granting, vesting and/or payout shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures established by the Committee, which shall be based on the relative or absolute attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following: net income, earnings before or after discontinued operations, interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, operating profit before or after discontinued operations and/or taxes, sales, sales growth, earnings growth, cash flow or cash position, gross margins, stock price, market share, return on sales, assets, equity or investment, improvement of financial ratings, achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives or total shareholder return, and may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated. The Committee may specify that such performance measures shall be adjusted to exclude any one or more of (i) extraordinary items, (ii) gains or losses on the dispositions of discontinued operations, (iii) the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, (iv) the writedown of any asset, and (v) charges for restructuring and rationalization programs. Such performance measures: (i) may vary by Participant and may be different for different Awards; (ii) may be particular to a Participant or the department, branch, line of business, subsidiary or other unit in which the Participant works and may cover such period as may be specified by the Committee; and (iii) shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m). Awards that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may be based on these or such other performance measures as the Board may determine.

(4) Adjustments . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, with respect to any Performance Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the cash or number of Shares payable

 

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pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance measures except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant or a change in control of the Company.

(5) Other . The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Performance Awards as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for Performance-Based Compensation.

 

11. Miscellaneous

(a) No Right To Employment or Other Status . No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.

(b) No Rights As Stockholder . Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.

(c) Effective Date and Term of Plan . The Plan shall become effective on the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”). No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

(d) Amendment of Plan . The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) to the extent required by Section 162(m), no Award granted to a Participant that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested, as applicable to such Award, unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company’s stockholders if required by Section 162(m) (including the vote required under Section 162(m)); (ii) no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) may be made effective unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company’s stockholders; and (iii) if the NASDAQ amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of “material amendments” to equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such amendment to the NASDAQ rules, no amendment to the Plan (A) materially increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan (other than pursuant to Section 4(c) or 9), (B) expanding the types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan, or (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan shall be effective unless stockholder approval is obtained. In addition, if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 11(d) shall

 

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apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan. No Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan.

(e) Provisions for Foreign Participants . The Board may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

(f) Compliance with Code Section 409A . No Award shall provide for deferral of compensation that does not comply with Section 409A of the Code, unless the Board, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is not intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Board.

(g) Governing Law . The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Incentive Stock Option Agreement

Granted Under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan

 

1. Grant of Option .

This agreement evidences the grant by American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on          (the “Grant Date”) to          an employee of the Company (the “Participant”), of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, on the terms provided herein and in the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a total of          shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) at          per Share. Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on          ( the “Final Exercise Date”).

It is intended that the option evidenced by this agreement shall be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”). Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term “Participant”, as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms.

 

2. Vesting Schedule .

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option may be exercised prior to the Final Exercise Date as to not more than the number of shares set forth in the table below during the respective periods set forth in the table below.

 

Exercise Period

   Percentage of Shares as to
Which Option is Exercisable
 

Less than one year from [  ] (the “Vesting Date”)

   0 %

At least one year but less than two years from the Vesting Date

   33  1 / 3 %

At least two years but less than three years from the Vesting Date

   66  2 / 3 %

At least three years from the Vesting Date

   100 %

The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all Shares for which it is vested until the earlier of the Final Exercise Date or the termination of this option under Section 3 or the Plan.


3. Exercise of Option .

(a) Form of Exercise . Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, signed by the Participant, and received by the Company at its principal office, accompanied by this agreement, and payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan. The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share or for fewer than ten whole shares.

(b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the Grant Date, an employee or officer of, or consultant or advisor to, the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company as defined in Section 424(e) or (f) of the Code (an “Eligible Participant”).

(c) Termination of Relationship with the Company . If the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate 60 days after such cessation (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, violates the non-competition or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon written notice to the Participant from the Company describing such violation.

(d) Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability . If the Participant dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the Company has not terminated such relationship for “cause” as specified in paragraph (e) below, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of 180 days following the date of death or disability of the Participant, by the Participant (or in the case of death by an authorized transferee), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that this option was exercisable by the Participant on the date of his or her death or disability, and further provided that this option shall not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

(e) Discharge for Cause . If the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, is discharged by the Company for “cause” (as defined below), the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such discharge. If the Participant is party to an employment or severance agreement with the Company that contains a definition of “cause” for termination of employment, “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed in such term in such agreement. Otherwise, “Cause” shall mean willful misconduct by the Participant or willful failure by the Participant to perform his or her responsibilities to the Company (including, without limitation, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Participant and the Company), as determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The Participant shall be considered to have been discharged for “Cause” if the Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant’s resignation, that discharge for cause was warranted.

 

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4. Tax Matters .

(a) Withholding . No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless and until the Participant pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

(b) Disqualifying Disposition . If the Participant disposes of Shares acquired upon exercise of this option within two years from the Grant Date or one year after such Shares were acquired pursuant to exercise of this option, the Participant shall notify the Company in writing within ten days after such disposition.

 

5. Nontransferability of Option .

This option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, this option shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

 

6. Change in Control .

Notwithstanding any other provision of Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement to the contrary, this option shall become exercisable in full immediately prior to a “Change in Control of the Company” (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control of the Company” shall occur or be deemed to have occurred only if (i) any “person”, as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years ending during the term of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect any transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 6) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Disinterested Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or there occurs the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company assets.

 

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7. Provisions of the Plan .

This option is subject to the provisions of the Plan (including the provisions relating to amendments to the Plan), a copy of which is furnished to the Participant with this option.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this option to be executed under its corporate seal by its duly authorized officer. This option shall take effect as a sealed instrument.

 

      AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Dated:  

 

    By:  

 

 

 

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PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing option and agrees to the terms and conditions thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

PARTICIPANT:

 

Address:  

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.3

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement

Granted Under 2007 Stock Incentive Plan

 

1. Grant of Option .

This agreement evidences the grant by American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on          (the “Grant Date”) to          an employee of the Company (the “Participant”), of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, on the terms provided herein and in the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a total of          shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) at          per Share. Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on          ( the “Final Exercise Date”).

It is intended that the option evidenced by this agreement shall not be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”). Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term “Participant”, as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms.

 

2. Vesting Schedule .

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option may be exercised prior to the Final Exercise Date as to not more than the number of shares set forth in the table below during the respective periods set forth in the table below.

 

Exercise Period

   Percentage of Shares as to
Which Option is Exercisable
 

Less than one year from [  ] (the “Vesting Date”)

   0 %

At least one year but less than two years from the Vesting Date

   33  1 / 3 %

At least two years but less than three years from the Vesting Date

   66  2 / 3 %

At least three years from the Vesting Date

   100 %

The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all Shares for which it is vested until the earlier of the Final Exercise Date or the termination of this option under Section 3 or the Plan.


3. Exercise of Option .

(a) Form of Exercise . Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, signed by the Participant, and received by the Company at its principal office, accompanied by this agreement, and payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan. The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share or for fewer than ten whole shares.

(b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the Grant Date, an employee, officer, or consultant or advisor to, the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company as defined in Section 424(e) or (f) of the Code (an “Eligible Participant”).

(c) Termination of Relationship with the Company . If the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate 60 days after such cessation (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, violates the non-competition or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon written notice to the Participant from the Company describing such violation.

(d) Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability . If the Participant dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the Company has not terminated such relationship for “cause” as specified in paragraph (e) below, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of 180 days following the date of death or disability of the Participant, by the Participant (or in the case of death by an authorized transferee), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that this option was exercisable by the Participant on the date of his or her death or disability, and further provided that this option shall not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

(e) Discharge for Cause . If the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, is discharged by the Company for “cause” (as defined below), the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such discharge. If the Participant is party to an employment or severance agreement with the Company that contains a definition of “cause” for termination of employment, “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in such agreement. Otherwise, “Cause” shall mean willful misconduct by the Participant or willful failure by the Participant to perform his or her responsibilities to the Company (including, without limitation, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Participant and

 

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the Company), as determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The Participant shall be considered to have been discharged for “Cause” if the Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant’s resignation, that discharge for cause was warranted.

 

4. Withholding .

No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless and until the Participant pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

 

5. Nontransferability of Option .

This option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, this option shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

 

6. Change in Control .

Notwithstanding any other provision of Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement to the contrary, this option shall become exercisable in full immediately prior to a “Change in Control of the Company” (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control of the Company” shall occur or be deemed to have occurred only if (i) any “person”, as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years ending during the term of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect any transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 6) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Disinterested Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or there occurs the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company assets.

 

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7. Provisions of the Plan.

This option is subject to the provisions of the Plan (including the provisions relating to amendments to the Plan), a copy of which is furnished to the Participant with this option.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this option to be executed under its corporate seal by its duly authorized officer. This option shall take effect as a sealed instrument.

 

      AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Dated:  

 

    By:  

 

 
        [  ]  

 

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PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing option and agrees to the terms and conditions thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

PARTICIPANT:

 

Address:  

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

Restricted Stock Agreement

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of this      day of                      , 200    (the “Grant Date”), between American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the “Employee”).

For valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Issuance of Shares .

Effective as of the Grant Date, the Company shall issue to the Employee, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”),              shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”). The Shares shall be issued to the Employee in consideration of employment services rendered by the Employee to the Company. As promptly as practicable following the Grant Date, the Company shall issue one or more certificates in the name of the Employee for the Shares. The Employee agrees that the Shares shall be subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement and the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

2. Vesting .

(a) The Shares shall vest in accordance with the following vesting schedule [ insert vesting schedule or date ]. Notwithstanding such vesting schedule, the Shares shall vest in full upon [the earlier of (i) [ insert financial targets, if applicable ] or (ii)] a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below).

For purposes of the Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of the following events: (i) any “person”, as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years ending during the term of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect any transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 2) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Disinterested Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the


Board of Directors; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or there occurs the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

3. Forfeiture of Unvested Shares Upon Employment Termination .

In the event that the Employee ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, all of the Shares that are unvested as of the time of such employment termination shall be forfeited immediately and automatically to the Company, without the payment of any consideration to the Employee, effective as of such termination of employment. The Employee shall have no further rights with respect to any Shares that are so forfeited. For purposes of the Agreement, employment with the Company shall include employment with a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

4. Restrictions on Transfer .

The Employee shall not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, by operation of law or otherwise (collectively “transfer”) any unvested Shares, or any interest therein, except that the Employee may transfer unvested Shares (i) to or for the benefit of any spouse, child or grandchild of the Employee, or to a trust for their benefit, provided that such Shares shall remain subject to this Agreement (including without limitation the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 3 and the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4) and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or (ii) as a part of the sale of all or substantially all of the shares of capital stock of the Company (including pursuant to a merger or consolidation), provided that, in accordance with Section 9 of the Plan, the securities or other property received by the Employee in connection with such transaction upon conversion of or in exchange for Shares that are not then vested shall remain subject to this Agreement.

5. Escrow .

The Employee shall, upon the execution of this Agreement, execute Joint Escrow Instructions in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A . The Joint Escrow Instructions shall be delivered to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as escrow agent thereunder. The Employee shall deliver to such escrow agent a stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B , and hereby instructs the Company to deliver to such escrow agent, on behalf of the Employee, the certificates(s) evidencing the Shares issued hereunder. Such materials shall be held by such escrow agent pursuant to the terms of such Joint Escrow Instructions.

 

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6. Restrictive Legends .

All certificates representing Shares shall have affixed thereto a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other legends that may be required under federal or state securities law:

“The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to forfeiture provisions and restrictions on transfer set forth in a certain Restricted Stock Agreement between the corporation and the registered owner of these shares (or his predecessor in interest), and such Agreement is available for inspection without charge at the office of the Secretary of the corporation.”

7. Withholding Taxes; Section 83(b) Election .

(a) Within one business day of the date of issuance of the Shares or within three business days of the date of vesting of the Shares, as applicable, the Employee shall pay to the Company in cash the amount of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company in connection with the issuance or vesting of the Shares. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to the Employee the amount of any such taxes.

(b) The Employee has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of the Employee’s own tax advisors prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands and agrees to the provisions hereof. The Employee acknowledges that he has been informed of the availability of making an election in accordance with Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; that such election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the issuance of the Shares to the Employee; and that the Employee is solely responsible for evaluating the tax implications to the Employee or his or her acquisition of the Shares under this Agreement and for making such election if he or she so chooses.

8. Miscellaneous .

(a) No Rights to Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Employee any right to be retained, in any position, as an employee of the Company. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting provisions set forth herein do not constitute an express or implied process of continued engagement as an employee until the Shares vest, for any period of time, or at all.

(b) Provisions of the Plan . This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Plan, a copy of which has been furnished to the Employee.

(c) Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

(d) Waiver . Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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(e) Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Employee and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

(f) Notice . All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or five days after deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party hereto at the address shown beneath his or its respective signature to this Agreement, or at such other address or addresses as either party shall designate to the other in accordance with this Section 8(f).

(g) Pronouns . Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, vice versa.

(h) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

(i) Amendment . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Employee.

(j) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any applicable conflicts of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Address:   Two Technology Drive
  Westborough, MA 01581

 

[Name of Employee]
Address:  

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit A

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Joint Escrow Instructions

                     , 200   

[Name]

[Title]

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Dear Sir:

As Escrow Agent for the American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned person (“Holder”), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”) of even date herewith, to which a copy of these Joint Escrow Instructions is attached, in accordance with the following instructions:

1. Appointment . Holder irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any certificates evidencing Shares (as defined in the Agreement) to be held by you hereunder and any additions and substitutions to said Shares. For purposes of these Joint Escrow Instructions, “Shares” shall be deemed to include any additional or substitute property. Holder does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as his attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect to such Shares all documents necessary or appropriate to make such Shares negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 1 and the terms of the Agreement, Holder shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the Shares are held by you.

2. Forfeiture of Shares . Upon any forfeiture of the Shares to the Company pursuant to the Agreement, the Company shall give to Holder and you a written notice specifying the number of Shares forfeited. Upon receipt of such notice, you are directed (i) to date the stock assignment form or forms necessary for the transfer of the forfeited Shares to the Company, (ii) to fill in on such form or forms the number of Shares being forfeited, and (iii) to deliver the same, together with the certificate or certificates evidencing the forfeited Shares, to the Company.

3. Withdrawal . The Holder shall have the right to withdraw from this escrow any Shares which have vested in accordance with the Agreement, provided any required tax withholding payments have been made.

 

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4. Duties of Escrow Agent .

(a) Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

(b) You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein and may relay and shall be protected in relying or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact of Holder while acting in good faith and in the exercise of your own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

(c) You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or entity, excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree of any court, you shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person or entity by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

(d) You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called for hereunder.

(e) You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your obligations hereunder and may rely upon the advice of such counsel.

(f) Your rights and responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if (i) you cease to be Chief Financial Officer of the Company or (ii) you resign by written notice to each party. In the event of a termination under clause (i), your successor as Chief Financial Officer shall become Escrow Agent hereunder; in the event of a termination under clause (ii), the Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder.

(g) If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

(h) It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities until such dispute shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend any such proceedings.

 

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(i) These Joint Escrow Instructions set forth your sole duties with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into these Joint Escrow Instructions against you.

(j) The Company shall indemnify you and hold you harmless against any and all damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including attorney’s fees and disbursements, for anything done or omitted to be done by you as Escrow Agent in connection with this Agreement or the performance of your duties hereunder, except such as shall result from your gross negligence or willful misconduct.

5. Notice . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as a party may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to each of the other parties hereto.

 

COMPANY:  

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

HOLDER:   Notices to Holder shall be sent to the address set forth below Holder’s signature below.
ESCROW AGENT:  

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

6. Miscellaneous .

(a) By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions, and you do not become a party to the Agreement.

 

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(b) This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Very truly yours,
AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

  HOLDER:
 

 

  (Signature)
 

 

  Print Name
  Address:
 

 

 

 

 

ESCROW AGENT:

 

 

 

-8-


Exhibit B

Stock Assignment

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, I hereby sell, assign and transfer unto              (              ) shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of                      (the “Corporation”) standing in my name on the books of the Corporation represented by Certificate(s) Number              herewith, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                      attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

  Dated:  

 

IN PRESENCE OF  

 

 

 

NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration, enlargement, or any change whatever and must be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company or member firm of the Boston, New York or Midwest Stock Exchange.

 

-9-

Exhibit 10.5

Restricted Stock Agreement

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of this      day of                      , 200    (the “Grant Date”), between American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the “Employee”).

For valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Issuance of Shares .

Effective as of the Grant Date, the Company shall issue to the Employee, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”),              shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”). The Shares shall be issued to the Employee in consideration of employment services rendered by the Employee to the Company. As promptly as practicable following the Grant Date, the Company shall issue one or more certificates in the name of the Employee for the Shares. The Employee agrees that the Shares shall be subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement and the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

2. Vesting .

The Shares shall vest in accordance with the following vesting schedule [ insert vesting schedule or date ]. Notwithstanding such vesting schedule, the Shares shall vest in full upon [the earlier of (i) [ insert financial targets, if applicable ] or (ii)] a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below).

3. Forfeiture of Unvested Shares Upon Employment Termination .

In the event that the Employee ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, all of the Shares that are unvested as of the time of such employment termination shall be forfeited immediately and automatically to the Company, without the payment of any consideration to the Employee, effective as of such termination of employment. The Employee shall have no further rights with respect to any Shares that are so forfeited. For purposes of the Agreement, employment with the Company shall include employment with a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

4. Restrictions on Transfer .

The Employee shall not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, by operation of law or otherwise (collectively “transfer”) any unvested Shares, or any interest therein, except that the Employee may transfer unvested Shares (i) to or for the benefit of any spouse, child or grandchild of the Employee, or to a trust for their benefit, provided that such Shares shall remain subject to this Agreement (including without limitation the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 3 and the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4) and


such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or (ii) as a part of the sale of all or substantially all of the shares of capital stock of the Company (including pursuant to a merger or consolidation), provided that, in accordance with Section 9 of the Plan, the securities or other property received by the Employee in connection with such transaction upon conversion of or in exchange for Shares that are not then vested shall remain subject to this Agreement.

5. Escrow .

The Employee shall, upon the execution of this Agreement, execute Joint Escrow Instructions in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A . The Joint Escrow Instructions shall be delivered to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as escrow agent thereunder. The Employee shall deliver to such escrow agent a stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B , and hereby instructs the Company to deliver to such escrow agent, on behalf of the Employee, the certificates(s) evidencing the Shares issued hereunder. Such materials shall be held by such escrow agent pursuant to the terms of such Joint Escrow Instructions.

6. Restrictive Legends .

All certificates representing Shares shall have affixed thereto a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other legends that may be required under federal or state securities law:

“The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to forfeiture provisions and restrictions on transfer set forth in a certain Restricted Stock Agreement between the corporation and the registered owner of these shares (or his predecessor in interest), and such Agreement is available for inspection without charge at the office of the Secretary of the corporation.”

7. Withholding Taxes; Section 83(b) Election .

(a) Within one business day of the date of issuance of the Shares or within three business days of the date of vesting of the Shares, as applicable, the Employee shall pay to the Company in cash the amount of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company in connection with the issuance or vesting of the Shares. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to the Employee the amount of any such taxes.

(b) The Employee has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of the Employee’s own tax advisors prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands and agrees to the provisions hereof. The Employee acknowledges that he has been informed of the availability of making an election in accordance with Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; that such election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the issuance of the Shares to the Employee; and that the Employee is solely responsible for evaluating the tax implications to the Employee or his or her acquisition of the Shares under this Agreement and for making such election if he or she so chooses.

 

-2-


8. Miscellaneous .

(a) No Rights to Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Employee any right to be retained, in any position, as an employee of the Company. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting provisions set forth herein do not constitute an express or implied process of continued engagement as an employee until the Shares vest, for any period of time, or at all.

(b) Provisions of the Plan . This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Plan, a copy of which has been furnished to the Employee.

(c) Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

(d) Waiver . Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Employee and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

(f) Notice . All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or five days after deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party hereto at the address shown beneath his or its respective signature to this Agreement, or at such other address or addresses as either party shall designate to the other in accordance with this Section 8(f).

(g) Pronouns . Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, vice versa.

(h) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

(i) Amendment . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Employee.

(j) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any applicable conflicts of law.

 

-3-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Address:   Two Technology Drive
  Westborough, MA 01581
 

 

  [Name of Employee]
  Address:  

 

   

 

 

-4-


Exhibit A

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Joint Escrow Instructions

                     , 200   

[Name]

[Title]

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Dear Sir:

As Escrow Agent for the American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned person (“Holder”), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”) of even date herewith, to which a copy of these Joint Escrow Instructions is attached, in accordance with the following instructions:

1. Appointment . Holder irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any certificates evidencing Shares (as defined in the Agreement) to be held by you hereunder and any additions and substitutions to said Shares. For purposes of these Joint Escrow Instructions, “Shares” shall be deemed to include any additional or substitute property. Holder does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as his attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect to such Shares all documents necessary or appropriate to make such Shares negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 1 and the terms of the Agreement, Holder shall exercise all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the Shares are held by you.

2. Forfeiture of Shares . Upon any forfeiture of the Shares to the Company pursuant to the Agreement, the Company shall give to Holder and you a written notice specifying the number of Shares forfeited. Upon receipt of such notice, you are directed (i) to date the stock assignment form or forms necessary for the transfer of the forfeited Shares to the Company, (ii) to fill in on such form or forms the number of Shares being forfeited, and (iii) to deliver the same, together with the certificate or certificates evidencing the forfeited Shares, to the Company.

3. Withdrawal . The Holder shall have the right to withdraw from this escrow any Shares which have vested in accordance with the Agreement, provided any required tax withholding payments have been made.

 

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4. Duties of Escrow Agent .

(a) Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

(b) You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein and may relay and shall be protected in relying or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact of Holder while acting in good faith and in the exercise of your own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

(c) You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or entity, excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree of any court, you shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person or entity by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

(d) You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called for hereunder.

(e) You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your obligations hereunder and may rely upon the advice of such counsel.

(f) Your rights and responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if (i) you cease to be Chief Financial Officer of the Company or (ii) you resign by written notice to each party. In the event of a termination under clause (i), your successor as Chief Financial Officer shall become Escrow Agent hereunder; in the event of a termination under clause (ii), the Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder.

(g) If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

(h) It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities until such dispute shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend any such proceedings.

 

-6-


(i) These Joint Escrow Instructions set forth your sole duties with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into these Joint Escrow Instructions against you.

(j) The Company shall indemnify you and hold you harmless against any and all damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including attorney’s fees and disbursements, for anything done or omitted to be done by you as Escrow Agent in connection with this Agreement or the performance of your duties hereunder, except such as shall result from your gross negligence or willful misconduct.

5. Notice . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as a party may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to each of the other parties hereto.

 

COMPANY:  

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

HOLDER:   Notices to Holder shall be sent to the address set forth below Holder’s signature below.
ESCROW AGENT:  

American Superconductor Corporation

Two Technology Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

6. Miscellaneous .

(a) By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions, and you do not become a party to the Agreement.

 

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(b) This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Very truly yours,
AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

  HOLDER:
 

 

  (Signature)
 

 

  Print Name
  Address:
 

 

 

 

 

ESCROW AGENT:

 

 

-8-


Exhibit B

Stock Assignment

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, I hereby sell, assign and transfer unto              (              ) shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of                      (the “Corporation”) standing in my name on the books of the Corporation represented by Certificate(s) Number              herewith, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                      attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

  Dated:  

 

IN PRESENCE OF    

 

   

 

NOTICE: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration, enlargement, or any change whatever and must be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company or member firm of the Boston, New York or Midwest Stock Exchange.

 

-9-

Exhibit 10.6

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

2007 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN

 

1. Purpose.

The purpose of this 2007 Director Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) of American Superconductor Corporation (the “Company”) is to encourage stock ownership in the Company by outside directors of the Company whose continued services are considered essential to the Company’s future success and to provide them with a further incentive to remain as directors of the Company.

 

2. Administration.

(a) Administration by Board . The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) shall supervise and administer the Plan. Grants of stock options and stock awards under the Plan and the amount and nature of the options and awards to be granted shall be automatic in accordance with Section 5. The Board shall have authority to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any options and awards granted under the Plan. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any option or award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board’s sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any option or award. No director or person acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action or determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith.

(b) Delegation . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board. All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a committee of the Board to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such committee.

 

3. Participation in the Plan.

Directors of the Company who are not full-time employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (“Outside Directors”) shall be eligible to receive options and stock awards under the Plan, except that Directors of the Company who are representatives of an equity holder of the Company shall not be eligible to receive options or awards under the Plan.

 

4. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a) Shares Issuable . The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), which may be issued under the Plan shall be 300,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7.


(b) Reissuance of Shares . If any outstanding option under the Plan for any reason expires or is terminated, surrendered, or cancelled without having been exercised in full, the shares covered by the unexercised portion of such option shall again become available for issuance pursuant to the Plan.

(c) Non-Statutory Options . All options granted under the Plan shall be non-statutory options and not entitled to special tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

(d) Unissued and Treasury Shares . Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

 

5. Director Option and Award Grants; Terms of Director Options.

(a) Director Option Grants . The Company shall grant options or awards to Outside Directors under the Plan as follows:

(i) Initial Option Grants to Outside Directors . An option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock shall be granted automatically to each Outside Director first elected to the Board after the date of the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, upon the date of his or her initial election to the Board.

(ii) Stock Awards to Outside Directors . An award of 5,000 shares of Common Stock shall be granted automatically, on the third business day following the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to each person serving as an Outside Director of the Company on the date of such grant, provided that such Outside Director has served on the Board for at least one full calendar year prior to the date of such grant. The shares of Common Stock covered by such award shall be fully vested and not subject to any repurchase rights or other contractual restrictions.

(b) Terms of Director Options . Each option granted pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall be evidenced by a written agreement in such form as the President or the Executive Vice President, Corporate Development shall from time to time approve, which agreements shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) Option Exercise Price . The option exercise price per share for each option granted under the Plan shall be equal to the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant, which shall be determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or another nationally recognized exchange or trading system as of the date on which a determination of fair market value is to be made, the fair market value per share shall be deemed to be the last reported sale price per share of Common Stock thereon on such date (or, if no such price is reported on such date, such price on the nearest preceding date on which such a price is reported); and (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market or another nationally recognized exchange or trading system as of the date on which a determination of fair market value is to be made, the fair market value per share shall be as determined by the Board.

 

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(ii) Transferability of Options . Subject to clause (vi) below, except as the Board may otherwise determine, options shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the optionee, shall be exercisable only by the optionee; provided , however , that the Board may permit or provide in an option for the gratuitous transfer of such option by the applicable Outside Director to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if, with respect to such proposed transferee, the Company would be eligible to use a Form S-8 for the registration of the sale of the Common Stock subject to such option under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; provided , further , that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such transfer until such time as the applicable Outside Director and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the option.

(iii) Vesting Period .

(A) General . Each option granted pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall become exercisable in equal annual installments over a two year period following the date of grant.

(B) Acceleration Upon a Change in Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing, each outstanding option granted pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall immediately become exercisable in full in the event a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in this subsection) occurs. For purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control of the Company” shall occur or be deemed to have occurred only if (i) any “person”, as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years ending during the term of any option agreement issued under the Plan, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect any transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this subsection (B)) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or whose nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the

 

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voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or there occurs the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company assets.

(iv) Termination . Each option shall terminate, and may no longer be exercised, on the earlier of the (i) the date ten years after the date of grant or (ii) the date 60 days after the optionee ceases to serve as a director of the Company for any reason, whether by death, resignation, removal or otherwise.

(v) Exercise Procedure . Options may be exercised only by written notice to the Company at its principal office accompanied by (i) payment in cash or by certified or bank check of the full consideration for the shares as to which they are exercised or (ii) an irrevocable undertaking, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, by a broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price or (iii) delivery of irrevocable instructions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price.

(vi) Exercise by Representative Following Death of Director . An optionee, by written notice to the Company, may designate one or more persons (and from time to time change such designation), including his or her legal representative, who, by reason of the optionee’s death, shall acquire the right to exercise all or a portion of the option. If the person or persons so designated wish to exercise any portion of the option, they must do so within the term of the option as provided herein. Any exercise by a representative shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan.

 

6. Limitation of Rights.

(a) No Right to Continue as a Director . Neither the Plan, nor the granting of an option nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the optionee shall be entitled to continue as a director for any period of time.

(b) No Stockholder Rights for Options . An optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares covered by his or her option until the date of the issuance to him or her of a stock certificate therefor, and no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights (except as provided in Section 7) for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend, and the distribution date (i.e., the date on which the closing market price of the Common Stock on a stock exchange or trading system is adjusted to reflect the split) is subsequent to the record date for such stock dividend, an optionee who exercises an option between the close of business on such record date and the close of business on such distribution date shall be entitled to receive the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on such record date.

 

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(c) Compliance with Securities Laws . Each option and stock award shall be subject to the requirement that if, at any time, counsel to the Company shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to such option or stock award upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body, or the disclosure of non-public information or the satisfaction of any other condition is necessary as a condition to, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, such option may not be exercised, in whole or in part, and such stock award shall not be granted, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval, or satisfaction of such condition shall have been effected or obtained on conditions acceptable to the Board.

 

7. Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization and Reorganization Events.

(a) Changes in Capitalization . In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, and (ii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding option and each option issuable under Section 5(a) shall be equitably adjusted by the Company in the manner determined by the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.

(b) Reorganization Events .

(i) Definition . A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any exchange of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(ii) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Options . In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding options on such terms as the Board determines: (i) provide that the options shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent options shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to an optionee, provide that the optionees’ unexercised options will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the optionee within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding options shall become

 

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exercisable, in whole or in part, prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the Acquisition Price times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the optionees’ options (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the Acquisition Price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of such outstanding options and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such options, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.

 

8. Amendment, Modification or Termination of Options.

(a) Amendment, Modification or Termination . The Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding option, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another option of the same or a different type and changing the date of exercise or realization. A Outside Director’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Outside Director’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 7 hereof.

(b) Required Stockholder Approval . Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders: (1) no outstanding option granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding option (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 7) and (2) the Board may not cancel any outstanding option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new options under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled option.

 

9. Termination and Amendment of the Plan.

The Board may suspend, terminate or discontinue the Plan or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided , however , that without approval of the stockholders of the Company, no amendment may (i) increase the number of shares subject to the Plan (except as provided in Section 7), or (ii) effect any action which requires approval of the stockholders pursuant to the rules or requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) or any other exchange on which the Common Stock of the Company is listed. No amendment that would require stockholder approval under Nasdaq rules may be made effective unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company’s stockholders. If Nasdaq amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of “material amendments” to equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such amendment to the Nasdaq rules, no amendment to the Plan (A) materially increasing the number of types of shares authorized under the Plan, (B) expanding the types of options or stock awards that may be granted under the Plan, or (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan shall be effective unless stockholder approval is obtained. In addition, if

 

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at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 9 shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all options and awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of participants under the Plan.

 

10. Notice.

Any written notice to the Company required by any of the provisions of the Plan shall be addressed to the Treasurer of the Company and shall become effective when it is received.

 

11. Governing Law.

The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

12. Stockholder Approval; Effective Date.

The Plan shall become effective on the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”). No options or stock awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of ten years from the Effective Date, but options previously granted may extend beyond that date.

 

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Exhibit 10.7

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement

Granted Under 2007 Director Stock Plan

 

1. Grant of Option .

This agreement evidences the grant by American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on [        ] (the “Grant Date”) to [        ], a director of the Company (the “Optionee”), of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, on the terms provided herein and in the Company’s 2007 Director Stock Plan (the “Plan”), a total of 20,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) at a price of $[        ] per share.

This option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term “Optionee”, as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms or pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Plan.

 

2. Vesting Schedule; Acceleration Upon Acquisition Event .

(a) Vesting . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option may be exercised prior to the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (hereinafter the “Expiration Date”) as to not more than the number of shares set forth in the table below during the respective periods set forth in the table below:

 

Exercise Period

  

Number of

Shares as to which

Option is Exercisable

Less than one year from the Grant Date (the “Vesting Date”)    None
At least one year but less than two years from the Vesting Date    10,000 shares
At least two years from the Vesting Date    20,000 shares


(b) Cumulative Right of Exercise . The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all shares of Common Stock for which it is vested until the earlier of the Expiration Date or the termination of this option under Section 3 hereof or the Plan.

(c) Acceleration of Vesting . The vesting provisions applicable to this option are subject to such acceleration provisions as provided in the Plan.

 

3. Exercise of Option .

(a) Form of Exercise . Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, signed by the Optionee, and received by the Company at its principal office, accompanied by this agreement, and payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan. The Optionee may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share.

(b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3 or the Plan, this option may not be exercised unless the Optionee, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the date of grant of this option, a director of the Company (an “Eligible Optionee”).

(c) Termination of Relationship with the Company . If the Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Optionee for any reason, whether by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, then the right to exercise this option shall terminate 60 days after such cessation (but in no event after the Expiration Date), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation.

 

4. Withholding .

No shares of Common Stock will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless and until the Optionee pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

 

5. Nontransferability of Option .

Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, this option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Optionee, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Optionee, this option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee.

 

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6. Provisions of the Plan .

This option is subject to the provisions of the Plan (including the provisions relating to amendments to the Plan), a copy of which is furnished to the Optionee with this option.

[The next page is the signature page.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this option to be executed under its corporate seal by its duly authorized officer. This option shall take effect as a sealed instrument.

 

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Address:   Two Technology Drive
  Westborough, MA 01581

 

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OPTIONEE’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing option and agrees to the terms and conditions thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Company’s 2007 Director Stock Plan.

 

OPTIONEE

 

Name:  
Address:   [            ]

 

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Exhibit 10.8

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Executive Severance Agreement

THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT by and between American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and David A. Henry (the “Executive”) is made as of August 3, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Executive and to minimize the distraction from the possibility of an unwarranted termination of employment.

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that the benefits described in this Agreement are not intended to, and shall not, constitute a severance plan, and shall confer no benefit on anyone other than the parties hereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the severance benefits set forth in this Agreement in the event the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated under the specific circumstances described below.

1. Key Definitions .

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

1.1 “ Change in Control ” means an event or occurrence set forth in any one or more of subsections (a) through (c) below:

(a) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 50% or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided , however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, or (ii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or

(b) the Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constituting a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (i)


who was a member of the Board on the date of the execution of this Agreement or (ii) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from this clause (ii) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

(c) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or statutory share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in one or a series of related transactions (a “Business Combination”), other than a Business Combination in which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such Business Combination, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively.

1.2 “ Change in Control Date ” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 2) on which a Change in Control occurs.

1.3 “ Cause ” means:

(a) the Executive’s failure to perform his reasonable assigned duties to the standards reasonably required by the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure is not cured within 30 days after a written notice is received by the Executive from the Company describing in reasonable detail the manner in which the Board of Directors believes the Executive has not performed the Executive’s duties to the standards reasonably required by the Company; or

(b) the Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company. For purposes of this Section 1.3(b), no act or failure to act by the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done intentionally and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action was in the best interests of the Company.

1.4 “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (e) below. Notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or circumstance, such occurrence shall not be

 

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deemed to constitute Good Reason if, prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination (each as defined in Section 3.2(a)) given by the Executive in respect thereof, such event or circumstance has been fully corrected and the Executive has been reasonably compensated for any losses or damages resulting therefrom (provided that such right of correction by the Company shall only apply to the first Notice of Termination for Good Reason given by the Executive).

(a) the assignment to the Executive of significant duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the earliest to occur of (i) the Change in Control Date, (ii) the date of the execution by the Company of the initial written agreement or instrument providing for the Change in Control or (iii) the date of the adoption by the Board of Directors of a resolution providing for the Change in Control (with the earliest to occur of such dates referred to herein as the “Measurement Date”), or any other action or omission by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority or responsibilities; or

(b) a reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the Measurement Date, as the same may be increased thereafter from time to time; or

(c) the failure by the Company to (i) continue in effect any material compensation or benefit plan or program (including without limitation any life insurance, medical, health and accident or disability plan and any vacation or automobile program or policy) (a “Benefit Plan”) in which the Executive participates or which is applicable to the Executive immediately prior to the Measurement Date, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan or program or (ii) continue the Executive’s participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Executive’s participation relative to other participants, than the basis existing immediately prior to the Measurement Date; or

(d) a change by the Company in the location at which the Executive performs his principal duties for the Company to a new location that is more than 30 miles from the location at which the Executive performed his principal duties for the Company immediately prior to the Measurement Date (unless such new location is closer to the Executive’s residence than the prior location); or

(e) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any employment agreement with the Executive.

1.5 “ Disability ” means the Executive’s absence from the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company for 180 consecutive calendar days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.

 

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1.6 “ Severance Period ” shall mean the period of 18 months immediately following the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 3.2(a) below).

2. Term of Agreement . This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if neither a termination of employment covered by Section 4.1(a) below nor a Change in Control occurred during the Term, or (b) the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under Section 4 following a termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through March 31, 2011; provided , however, that commencing on April 1, 2011 and each April 1 thereafter (each hereinafter referred to as a “Renewal Date”), the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year so as to terminate four years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 90 days prior to such Renewal Date, the Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be extended.

3. Employment Status; Termination Following Change in Control .

3.1 Not an Employment Contract . The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement does not prevent the Company or the Executive from terminating his employment at any time, before or after a Change in Control.

3.2 Termination of Employment .

(a) Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company at any time during the Term or at any time after the Change in Control Date, or by the Executive within 12 months following the Change in Control Date (other than due to the death of the Executive) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other party hereto (the “Notice of Termination”), given in accordance with Section 6.2. Any Notice of Termination shall: (i) indicate (in the case of a termination by the Company) whether such termination is for Cause and (in the case of a termination by the Executive within 12 months following the Change in Control Date) whether such termination is for Good Reason, (ii) to the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or for Good Reason and (iii) specify the Date of Termination (as defined below). The effective date of an employment termination (the “Date of Termination”) shall be the close of business on the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which date may not be less than 15 days or more than 120 days after the date of delivery of such Notice of Termination), in the case of a termination other than one due to the Executive’s death, or the date of the Executive’s death, as the case may be.

(b) The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting any such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

 

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(c) Any Notice of Termination for Cause given by the Company must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or circumstance(s) that constitute(s) Cause.

(d) Any Notice of Termination for Good Reason given by the Executive must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or circumstance(s) that constitute(s) Good Reason.

4. Benefits to Executive .

4.1 Termination Prior to Change in Control Date .

(a) Termination Without Cause . If, prior to a Change in Control Date (including a situation in which a Change in Control Date never occurs), the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Disability or death, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination, the sum of the following amounts: (1) the Executive’s base salary through the Date of Termination, (2) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and (3) any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not previously paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) through (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”);

(ii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, the Executive’s highest annual base salary during the two-year period prior to the Date of Termination; and

(iii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and the Executive’s family those benefits which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect on the Date of Termination (to the extent such benefits can be provided to non-employees, or to the extent such health insurance benefits cannot be provided to non-employees, then the cash equivalent thereof, based on the cost thereof to the Company); provided , however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive a particular type of benefits (e.g., health insurance benefits) from such employer on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and his family as those being provided by the Company, then the Company shall no longer be required to provide those particular benefits to the Executive and his family.

(b) Other Terminations . If, prior to the Change in Control Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated other than under the circumstances described in Section 4.1(a), then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive (or his estate, if applicable), in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations and (ii) to the extent not previously paid or provided, timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive following the Executive’s termination of employment under any plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company and its subsidiaries (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).

 

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4.2 Termination Following Change in Control Date .

(a) Termination within 12 Months Following Change in Control Date . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Disability or death within 12 months following the Change in Control Date, or if the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason within 12 months following the Change in Control Date, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination, (A) the Accrued Obligations and (B) the product of (x) the annual target bonus payable to the Executive for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the then-current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, less any portion of such bonus previously paid to the Executive;

(ii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, the Executive’s highest annual base salary during the two-year period prior to the Date of Termination; and

(iii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and the Executive’s family those benefits which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect on the Date of Termination (to the extent such benefits can be provided to non-employees, or to the extent such health benefits cannot be provided to non-employees, then the cash equivalent thereof, based on the cost thereof to the Company); provided , however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive a particular type of benefits (e.g., health insurance benefits) from such employer on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and his family as those being provided by the Company, then the Company shall no longer be required to provide those particular benefits to the Executive and his family.

(b) Termination More Than 12 Months Following Change in Control Date . If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Disability or death more than 12 months following the Change in Control Date, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations;

(ii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, the Executive’s highest annual base salary during the two-year period prior to the Date of Termination; and

 

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(iii) during the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and the Executive’s family those benefits which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect on the Date of Termination (to the extent such health benefits can be provided to non-employees, or to the extent such benefits cannot be provided to non-employees, then the cash equivalent thereof, based on the cost thereof to the Company); provided , however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive a particular type of benefits (e.g., health insurance benefits) from such employer on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and his family as those being provided by the Company, then the Company shall no longer be required to provide those particular benefits to the Executive and his family.

(c) Other Terminations . If, following the Change in Control Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated other than under the circumstances described in Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b), then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive (or his estate, if applicable), in a lump sum in cash on the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations and (ii) to the extent not previously paid or provided, timely pay or provide to the Executive the Other Benefits.

(d) Expenses . The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for all legal and other fees and expenses that the Executive reasonably incurs as a result of any claim or dispute regarding the benefits due to the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.2 if the Executive prevails in such claim or dispute.

4.3 Tax Provisions .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that the Company undergoes a Change in Ownership or Control (as defined below), the Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive a portion of any Contingent Compensation Payments (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate Excess Parachute Payments (as defined below) for the Executive, except as set forth in Section 4.3(b). For purposes of this Section 4.3, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.3(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31, Q/A-32, Q/A-33 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to him (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”, which term shall include applicable Treasury Regulations), payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section

 

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280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 4.3(b) Override.” For purposes of this paragraph, if any federal, state or local income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal, state and local income tax rate provided by law.

(c) For purposes of this Section 4.3 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

(i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

(ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

(iii) “Excess Parachute Payment” shall mean a payment described in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

(d) Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 4.3(d).

(i) In the event that the Company undergoes a Change in Ownership or Control, and the Executive becomes entitled to receive Contingent Compensation Payments relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall (A) determine at such time or times as may be necessary to comply with the requirements under Section 280G of the Code whether such Contingent Compensation Payments constitute in whole or in part Excess Parachute Payments and (B) in the event the Company determines that such Contingent Compensation Payments constitute in whole or in part Excess Parachute Payments, notify the Executive (within 30 days after each such determination and with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) of the following: (1) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (2) the Eliminated Amount and (3) whether the Section 4.3(b) Override is applicable.

(ii) Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that he agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case he shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or (B) that he disagrees with such

 

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determination, in which case he shall set forth (1) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (2) the Eliminated Amount, (3) whether the Section 4.3(b) Override is applicable, and (4) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments.

(iii) If the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determinations shall be final, the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by the Company in its absolute discretion, and the Company shall make the Potential Payments (other than the Eliminated Payments) to the Executive within 10 business days following the due date for delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due).

(iv) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he agrees with the Company’s determinations, the Company’s initial determinations shall be final, the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be as set forth in the Executive Response, and the Company shall make the Potential Payments (other than the Eliminated Payments) to the Executive within 10 business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due).

(v) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he disagrees with the Company’s determinations, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall, within 10 business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments (other than Eliminated Payments) shall be made within 10 business days following the resolution of such dispute.

(vi) Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 4.3(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Bank of America, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.

(vii) In the event the Company is required to perform a redetermination in accordance with Treas. Reg. 1.280G-1 Q/A-33(b) with respect to any

 

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Contingent Compensation Payments, this Section 4.3(d) shall apply with respect to such redetermination and the parties shall make such adjustments as may be necessary as a result of such redetermination including, if appropriate, the payment by the Company of Contingent Compensation Payments previously treated as Eliminated Payments if the Section 4.3(b) Override applies as a result of such redetermination.

(e) The provisions of this Section 4.3 are intended to apply to any and all payments or benefits available to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or plan of the Company under which the Executive receives Contingent Compensation Payments.

4.4 Release . The obligation of the Company to make the payments and provide the benefits to the Executive under Section 4.1(a), Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b) is conditioned upon the Executive signing a release of claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , or such other form as may be agreed to by the Company and the Executive (the “Employee Release”), within 21 days (or such greater period as the Company may specify) (the “Release Period”) following the Date of Termination and upon the Executive not revoking the Employee Release in a timely manner thereafter. The Company shall not be obligated to make any payments to the Executive under Section 4.1(a), Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b) until the expiration of the Release Period, provided that (i) at such time as the Release becomes effective, the Company shall promptly pay to the Executive any payments that would otherwise have been made to the Executive during the Release Period and (ii) the provision of benefits under Section 4.1(a)(iii), Section 4.2(a)(iii) or Section 4.2(b)(iii) shall continue during the Release Period.

4.5 Exclusive Severance Benefits . The making of the payments and the provision of the benefits by the Company to the Executive under Section 4.1(a), Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b) shall constitute the entire obligation of the Company to the Executive as a result of the termination of his employment under the circumstances set forth in such Sections, and the Executive shall not be entitled to additional payments or benefits under any other plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company or its subsidiaries.

4.6 Mitigation . The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in Section 4.1(a), Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b) by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, except as provided in Section 4.1(a)(iii), Section 4.2(a)(iii) or Section 4.2(b)(iii), the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in Section 4.1(a), Section 4.2(a) or Section 4.2(b) shall not be reduced by any compensation earned or benefits received by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer.

5. Settlement of Disputes; Arbitration . All claims by the Executive for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to the Board and shall be in writing. Any denial by the Board of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the reasons for the denial and the provisions of this Agreement relied upon. Any further dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

 

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6. Miscellaneous .

6.1 Successors . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. 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. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive or his family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

6.2 Notice . All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at Two Technology Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581-1727, and to the Executive at the Executive’s address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.

6.3 Employment by Subsidiary . For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

6.4 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

6.5 Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

6.6 Waivers . No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any subsequent time.

6.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6.8 Tax Withholding . Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

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6.9 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of any stock option agreements between the Company and the Executive (including any terms thereof relating to acceleration of vesting) shall not be superseded by or modified by the terms of this Agreement.

6.10 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

6.11 Executive’s Acknowledgements . The Executive acknowledges that he: (a) has read this Agreement; (b) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; (c) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement; and (d) understands that the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP is acting as counsel to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and is not acting as counsel for the Executive.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION

Signature:  

/s/ Gregory Yurek

Print name:   Gregory Yurek
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE  
Signature:  

/s/ David A. Henry

Print name:   David A. Henry
Address:   c/o American Superconductor Corporation
  Two Technology Drive
  Westborough, MA 01581-1727

 

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Exhibit A

RELEASE

In consideration of the payment to me of the severance benefits pursuant to Section 4.1(a), 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) of my Executive Severance Agreement with American Superconductor Corporation (the “Company”) dated August 3, 2007 (the “Agreement”), I hereby agree as follows:

1. I, on behalf of myself and my representatives, agents, estate, heirs, successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, remise and discharge the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders, affiliates (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933), attorneys, agents and employees, and their respective predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Company Releasees”), from any and all actions or causes of action, suits, claims, complaints, liabilities, contracts, torts, debts, damages, controversies, rights and demands, whether existing or contingent, known or unknown, arising up to and through the date of this Release out of my employment, or the termination of my employment, with the Company, including, but not limited to, all employment discrimination claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq., the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, M.G.L. c.151B, § 1 et seq., the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, M.G.L. c.12, §§ 11H and 11I, the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act, M.G.L. c.93, § 102 and M.G.L. c.214, § 1C, the Massachusetts Labor and Industries Act, M.G.L. c.149, § 1 et seq., and the Massachusetts Privacy Act, M.G.L. c.214, § 1B, all as amended, and all claims arising out of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., all as amended; and all claims to any non-vested ownership interest in the Company, contractual or otherwise, including, but not limited to, claims to stock or stock options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing in this Release prevents me from filing, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding before the EEOC or a state Fair Employment Practices Agency (except that I acknowledge that I may not recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding), (b) this Release does not extend to any rights I have that arise after the date hereof under the Agreement and (c) this Release does not extend to any rights I may have to indemnification as an officer or director of the Company under the provisions of the Company’s By-laws or applicable law.

2. I have been advised by the Company to consult with counsel before signing this Release, and have been given the opportunity to consult with my own counsel prior to signing this Release.

3. I have been given up to twenty-one (21) days from the receipt of this Release to consider whether to execute this Release.

4. I have been advised that even after I sign this Release, I may revoke it within seven (7) days of the date of my signing by delivering a signed revocation notice to the Secretary of the Company. Delivery by ordinary mail will effectively revoke my assent to this Release if it is postmarked no later than seven days after I sign this Release.

 

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5. This Release shall not become effective and in force until eight days after I sign, provided I have not timely revoked my acceptance.

6. I acknowledge and reaffirm my obligations under the American Superconductor Corporation Employee Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement.

7. No representation, promise or inducement has been offered or made to induce me to enter into this Release, and I am competent to execute this Release and accept full responsibility therefor.

 

Name:  

 

Signature:  

 

Date of execution:  

 

 

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