UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-A

 

 

FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   98-0526415

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1155 Metcalfe Street, Suite 800

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  H3B 5H2
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

to be so registered

  

Name of exchange on which

each class is to be registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

  

New York Stock Exchange

 

 

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box.   x

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box.   ¨

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: N/A

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: N/A

 

 

 


Item 1. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

General

This registration statement registers under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), of AbitibiBowater Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AbitibiBowater”), upon the Effective Date (as defined below) of the plans of reorganization, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, in connection with AbitibiBowater’s and its affiliates’ creditor protection proceedings under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (collectively, the “Creditor Protection Proceedings”), as applicable. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware ( In re: AbitibiBowater Inc., et al. , Chapter 11, Case No. 09-11296) and the Superior Court of Quebec in Canada each approved the applicable plan of reorganization on November 23, 2010 and September 23, 2010, respectively. AbitibiBowater emerged from the Creditor Protection Proceedings on December 9, 2010 (the “Effective Date”).

On the Effective Date, the common stock of AbitibiBowater outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date was cancelled pursuant to the terms of the plans of reorganization and AbitibiBowater filed a Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate”). Pursuant to the plans of reorganization, on the Effective Date, AbitibiBowater issued 97,134,954 shares of Common Stock. In addition, on the Effective Date, AbitibiBowater adopted an equity incentive plan pursuant to which AbitibiBowater may issue to participants in such plan up to 8.5% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Date.

Description of Capital Stock

The following description of the capital stock and certain provisions of the Certificate and the Company’s Third Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “By-laws”) is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the Certificate and the By-laws, which are filed as Exhibits 3(i) and 3(ii) hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Pursuant to the Certificate, AbitibiBowater is authorized to issue 190,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Certificate also provides that AbitibiBowater will not issue any class of non-voting equity securities unless, and solely to the extent, permitted by section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code until such time as the Certificate is amended to remove such restriction.

Common Stock

Each holder of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote per each outstanding share registered in the holder’s name with respect to the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to the vote of our stockholders. Each director will be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of capital stock entitled to vote with respect to such director’s election. No holder of our Common Stock may cumulate votes in voting for directors. Except as provided by the Certificate, the By-laws or applicable law, all other questions presented to the stockholders shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the stockholders present, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all stockholders present are entitled to cast on the particular matter.

The holders of shares of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments, subject to any dividend preferences of any holders of any preferred stock and any contractual restrictions. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after full payment of all liabilities and liquidation preferences of any preferred stock, the holders of shares of our Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all remaining assets. Our Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the shares of our Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, subject to Delaware corporation law, may determine:

 

   

the designations, powers and preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, of any series of preferred stock;

 

   

the number of shares to constitute such series and the distinctive designation thereof;


 

   

the dividend rate or rates to which the shares of such series shall be entitled and whether dividends shall be cumulative;

 

   

whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and the terms, limitations and restrictions in respect of such redemptions;

 

   

whether the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to receive, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of AbitibiBowater, an amount equal to the dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon;

 

   

whether the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the terms and provisions in respect of the operation thereof;

 

   

whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of stock of any other class or series of the same class, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the terms of such conversion or exchange;

 

   

the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series in addition to the voting powers provided by law; and

 

   

any other powers, designations, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, not inconsistent with law or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

If our board of directors were to issue a new series of preferred stock, the issuance of such shares could:

 

   

decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to common stockholders;

 

   

make removal of the present management more difficult;

 

   

result in restrictions upon the payment of dividends and other distributions to the common stockholders;

 

   

delay or prevent a change in control of AbitibiBowater; and

 

   

limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for our Common Stock.

Limitations on Directors’ Liability

The Certificate contains a provision eliminating the personal liability of AbitibiBowater’s directors to AbitibiBowater and its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Certificate also contains provisions generally providing for indemnification and advancement of expenses to AbitibiBowater’s directors and certain officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Possible Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Provisions of Our Certificate and Amended By-Laws

Certain provisions of Delaware corporate law, the Certificate and the By-laws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of AbitibiBowater. These provisions include the following:

 

   

The Certificate provides that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent without a meeting. Special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our board of directors, by certain executive officers that have been duly provided the power and authority to call such meetings or at the request of the holders of one-third of the total number of shares of stock entitled to vote on the matter.

 

   

As discussed above under “—Preferred Stock,” the Certificate permits our board of directors to issue a new series of preferred stock with terms that may make an acquisition by a third person more difficult or less attractive.

 

   

The By-laws provide time limitations and notice requirements that must be met by stockholders who desire to present proposals or nominate persons for election to our board of directors at stockholder meetings.

Transfer Agent

Computershare Inc. will serve as transfer agent for the Common Stock.

Item 2. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3(i)   Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AbitibiBowater Inc. effective December 9, 2010
3(ii)   Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AbitibiBowater Inc. effective December 9, 2010


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.
By:   / S /    J ACQUES P. V ACHON        
Name:   Jacques P. Vachon
Title:  

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and

Chief Legal Officer

Date: December 9, 2010


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3(i)   Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AbitibiBowater Inc. effective December 9, 2010
3(ii)   Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AbitibiBowater Inc. effective December 9, 2010

EXHIBIT 3(i)

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.

AbitibiBowater Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is AbitibiBowater Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State under the name of “Alpha-Bravo Holdings Inc.” on January 25, 2007. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was amended on January 29, 2007 to change the name of the Corporation to “AbitibiBowater Inc.” The Certificate of Incorporation was subsequently further amended by the filing of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and a Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State on October 26, 2007 and effective as of October 29, 2007 and by the filing of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with the Secretary of State on July 8, 2008.

2. The amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation herein certified have been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242, 245 and 303 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and pursuant to the authority granted to the Corporation under Section 303 of the DGCL to put into effect and carry out the Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (Case No. 09-11296 (KJC)) (the “ Plan ”) filed by the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”). The Plan was confirmed by an order, entered November 23, 2010, of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, a court having jurisdiction over the Corporation’s chapter 11 cases under the Bankruptcy Code, which order provides for the making and filing of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

3. This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and restates the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation, in accordance with the requirements of the DGCL, to read as herein set forth in full:

FIRST: The name of the corporation is AbitibiBowater Inc.

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801; and the name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

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

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 200,000,000, consisting of 10,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, and 190,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value.


FIFTH: (A) Subject to applicable provisions of law and to the provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), to the extent permitted by and upon compliance with the provisions set forth in the law of the State of Delaware, to issue Serial Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series, each series to have such powers, designations, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be determined and stated prior to the issuance of any shares of any such series in and by a resolution or resolutions of the Board authorizing the issuance of such series, including without limitation:

(1) The number of shares to constitute such series and the distinctive designation thereof;

(2) The dividend rate or rates to which the shares of such series shall be entitled and whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, the date or dates from which dividends shall accumulate, and the quarterly dates on which dividends, if declared, shall be payable;

(3) Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable, the limitations and restrictions in respect of such redemptions, the manner of selecting shares of such series for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed, and the amount per share, including the premium, if any, which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof, which amount may vary at different redemption dates and may be different in respect of shares redeemed through the operation of any retirement or sinking fund and in respect of shares otherwise redeemed;

(4) Whether the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to receive, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, an amount equal to the dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon, whether or not earned or declared, but without interest;

(5) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund and, if so, whether such fund shall be cumulative or non-cumulative, the extent to which and the manner in which, such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes, and the terms and provisions in respect of the operation thereof;

(6) Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of stock of any other class or series of the same class, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same;

(7) The voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series in addition to the voting powers provided by law; and

 

2


(8) Any other powers, designations, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, not inconsistent with law or the provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

(B) All shares of any one series of Serial Preferred Stock shall be identical with each other in all respects, except that in respect of any series entitled to cumulative dividends, shares of such series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which such dividends shall be cumulative.

SIXTH: Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not issue non-voting equity securities to the extent prohibited by section 1123(a)(6) of title 11 of the United States Code, until and unless this Article SIXTH is amended as permitted by applicable law.

SEVENTH: The total number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than seven nor more than eleven, with the then-authorized number of directors being fixed from time to time by the Board. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot except as and to the extent provided by the By-Laws of the Corporation (the “ By-Laws ”).

EIGHTH: The Board shall not adopt a stockholders rights plan (which for this purpose shall mean any arrangement pursuant to which, directly or indirectly, Common Stock or Serial Preferred Stock purchase rights may be distributed to stockholders that provide all stockholders, other than persons who meet certain criteria specified in the arrangement, are entitled to purchase the Common Stock or Serial Preferred Stock at less than the prevailing market price of the Common Stock or Serial Preferred Stock), unless such rights plan is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

NINTH: (A) To the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, as amended from time to time, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

(B) Any amendment or repeal of this Article NINTH, or the adoption of any provision of the Corporation’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article NINTH, shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

TENTH: (A) In order to induce officers, directors, employees or agents of this Corporation to serve or continue to serve as its officers or directors, or to serve or to continue to serve at the request of this Corporation as director or officer of another corporation, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “ Covered Person ”) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,

 

3


administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity or enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes and penalties paid under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (C) below, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized by the Board.

(B) To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes and penalties paid under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) of defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition incurred by a Covered Person who is or was a director, executive officer or Treasurer of the Corporation or other officer of the Corporation with a title of senior vice president or senior thereto or such additional officer positions of the Corporation designated by the Board as being entitled to mandatory advancement of expenses of which there will be no more than 25 of such additional officer positions at any one time, or, as designated by the Board, by a Covered Person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity or enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, it being understood that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Board to permit additional Covered Persons to be entitled to such advancement of expenses in its discretion as it deems appropriate in the circumstances; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article TENTH or otherwise.

(C) If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article TENTH is not paid in full within 30 days after a written claim therefor by the Covered Person has been received by the Corporation, the Covered Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

(D) The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article TENTH shall not be restricted, limited or reduced by, and shall not be exclusive of, any

 

4


other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

(E) The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity or enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other entity or enterprise.

(F) Any amendment or repeal of the foregoing provisions of this Article TENTH, or the adoption of any provision of the Corporation’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article TENTH, shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any Covered Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of any such inconsistent provision.

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

(H) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employer or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

ELEVENTH: No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the By-Laws and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent.

TWELFTH: (A) Stockholders of the corporation may adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws of the Corporation by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Corporation. The Board is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws; provided, however, that the Board is not authorized to, and shall not, repeal or amend, or adopt a By-law that conflicts with, any By-Law that has been approved by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of the By-Laws and this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

(B) The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or to add other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force, in the manner now or hereinafter prescribed by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Third Amended and Restated

 

5


Certificate of Incorporation (as amended) are granted subject to this reservation, except as provided in Paragraph (B) of Article NINTH above and Paragraph (F) of Article TENTH above.

THIRTEENTH: The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

FOURTEENTH: This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective as of 12:02 a.m. on December 9, 2010.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed in its corporate name by its duly authorized officer.

Dated: December 8, 2010

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.

By:   / S /    J ACQUES P. V ACHON        
  Name:   Jacques P. Vachon
  Title:  

Senior Vice President,

Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer

 

7

EXHIBIT 3(ii)

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

BY-LAWS

OF

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.

These Third Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “ By-Laws ”) of AbitibiBowater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), shall be effective as of as of 12:02 a.m. on December 9, 2010.

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Stockholders

Section 1.1 Annual Meetings .

(a) The annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders for the election of directors and for such other matters as may be properly brought before the stockholders’ meeting shall be held in each year on such date and at such time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be determined by resolution of the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”).

(b) At an annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, only business that has been properly brought before the stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.1 may be transacted at that meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, such business must be brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a stockholder of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 1.1 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the annual meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 1.1. Section 1.1(b)(ii) is the exclusive means by which a stockholder of the Corporation may bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, except (x) with respect to nominations or elections of directors which is governed by Section 1.11 and (y) with respect to proposals where the stockholder proposing such business has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intent to present the proposals at an annual meeting in compliance with Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) and such proposals have been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting, in which case the notice requirements of this Section 1.1 shall be deemed satisfied with respect to such proposals.

(c) At any annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, all proposals of stockholder business brought before such meeting in accordance with Section 1.1(b)(ii) must be made by timely written notice given by a stockholder of record


(the “ Notice of Business ”) and must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, the Notice of Business must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no earlier than 90 days and no later than 60 days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if (i) the annual meeting of stockholders is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 70 days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders or (ii) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, then the notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received (A) no earlier than 90 days before such annual meeting and (B) no later than the later of (x) 60 days before such annual meeting and (y) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Notice of Business.

(d) The Notice of Business shall set forth the following as to each item of business the stockholder shall propose to bring before the annual meeting:

(i) a description of such item of business and the reasons for conducting it at such meeting and, if such item of business shall include a proposal to amend either the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the text of the proposed amendment;

(ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such item of business (the “ Proponent ”);

(iii) the class and number of shares held of record, held beneficially and represented by proxy by the Proponent as of the record date for the meeting (if such a date has been established) and as of the date of such notice and a representation that the Proponent intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such item of business;

(iv) any material interest of the Proponent in such item of business; and

(v) all other information that would be required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) if the Proponents were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act.

(e) Only business that shall have been properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with these By-Laws shall be conducted at such meeting, and the officer or other person presiding over the meeting as provided in Section 1.5 of these By-Laws shall refuse to permit any business to be brought before such meeting that shall not have been properly brought before it in accordance with these By-Laws.

(f) If the Proponent (or a qualified representative of the Proponent) does not appear at the meeting of Stockholders to present the Stockholder

 

2


Business such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. To be considered a qualified representative of any stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(g) A “ public announcement ” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, the Associated Press or a similar national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC.

Section 1.2 Special Meetings .

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the Board, the “Chairman” (as defined in Section 2.1), the “President and CEO” (as defined in Section 4.1) or a committee of the Board which has been duly designated by the Board and whose powers and authority, as provided in a resolution of the Board or in these By-Laws, include the power to call such meetings. Each such call shall state the time, place and purpose of the meeting. The place of the meeting may be any place stated in the call, within or outside the State of Delaware.

(b) Special meetings of stockholders shall be called by the Board upon the valid written request to the Secretary by one or more record holders of shares of stock of the Corporation representing in the aggregate one-third of the total number of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be brought before the proposed special meeting. A request to the Secretary shall be signed by the stockholder or stockholders, or a duly authorized agent of such stockholder or stockholders, requesting a special meeting and must include the information specified in Section 1.2(c) to be valid (a “ Special Meeting Request ”). Once properly made, a Special Meeting Request may not be revoked or invalidated by any stockholder participating in that Special Meeting Request. A special meeting requested by stockholders shall be held at such date, time and place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed by the Board; provided, however, that the date of any such special meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the Special Meeting Request is received by the Secretary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a special meeting requested by stockholders shall not be held if (i) the Special Meeting Request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law or (ii) the Special Meeting Request was made in a manner that involved a violation of Section 14 of the Exchange Act.

(c) The Special Meeting Request must set forth with respect to each stockholder proposing any item of business or director nomination for a special meeting (the “ Requesting Person ”) the following:

 

3


(i) with respect to each item of business to be brought before the special meeting requested by the Requesting Person pursuant to this Section 1.2, the information required by Section 1.1(d) and

(ii) with respect to any nominations of directors by stockholders to be considered before the special meeting requested by the Requesting Person pursuant to this Section 1.2, the information required by Section 1.11(d).

(d) If the Requesting Person (or a qualified representative of the Requesting Person) does not appear at the special meeting of stockholders to present the applicable items of business or director nominations, such business or director election shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. If there is more than one Requesting Person, the failure of any Requesting Person or a qualified representative of such Requesting Person to appear at the special meeting of stockholders to present the applicable items of business or director nominations shall not prevent such items of business or director nominations to be transacted so long as at least one Requesting Person or a qualified representative of the Requesting Person appears at the special meeting of stockholders to present such applicable items of business or director nominations.

(e) Business transacted at a special meeting shall be limited to that business brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof. Business transacted at a special meeting requested by stockholders shall be limited to the matters described in the Special Meeting Request; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board from submitting additional matters to the stockholders at any special meeting requested by stockholders.

Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings . Notice of each annual or special meeting of the stockholders stating the place, day and hour thereof and the purposes for which the meeting is to be held shall be given in the manner specified by Section 6.3 by the Secretary (or by a person designated for the purpose either by the Secretary or by the person or persons calling the meeting or by the Board), not less than ten or more than 60 days prior to the meeting, except that where the matter to be acted on is a merger or consolidation of the Corporation, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than 20 days nor more than 60 days prior to such meeting.

Section 1.4 Action; Quorum . No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders. At any meeting of the stockholders, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation representing at least one-third of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote upon a question to be considered at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall be necessary to and shall constitute a quorum for the consideration of such question. If, however, a meeting of stockholders cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the

 

4


meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken of the time and place of the adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. In case of a meeting for the election of directors, such meeting may be adjourned only from day to day or for such longer periods, not exceeding 15 days each, until such directors have been elected. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted had a quorum been present at the time originally fixed for the meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 1.5 Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, or in his or her absence by the President and CEO, or in his or her absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson designated by the Board, or in the absence of such designation by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 1.6 Voting; Proxies .

(a) When a quorum is present at any meeting, all elections of directors shall be determined by plurality vote, and all other questions brought before such meeting shall be determined by the vote of stockholders present, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all stockholders present are entitled to cast on the particular matter, unless the question is one upon which, by express provisions of these By-Laws, the laws of the State of Delaware or of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

(b) Each stockholder having the right to vote shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to vote in person or by proxy; and unless otherwise provided by statute or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder of record shall be entitled to one vote for each outstanding share registered in its name on the books of the Corporation as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting.

(c) Each proxy shall be in writing, executed by the stockholder giving the proxy or by his attorney thereunto authorized, or by a facsimile or other electronic means, filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at will, notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary, but the revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until notice thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker

 

5


unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written notice of such death or incapacity is given to the Secretary of the Corporation.

Section 1.7 Record Date .

(a) For the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date (the “ Notice Record Date ”), which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date was adopted by the Board and shall not be more than 60 or less than ten days before the date of such meeting. The Notice Record Date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such Notice Record Date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination (the “ Voting Record Date ”). For the purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or take any other lawful action, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date was adopted by the Board and shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action.

(b) If no such record date is fixed:

(i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and

(ii) when a determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 1.7, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board fixes a new Voting Record Date for the adjourned meeting, in which case the Board shall also fix such Voting Record Date or a date earlier than such date as the new Notice Record Date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 1.8 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The officer who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting at least ten days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list of stockholders must also be open to examination at the meeting as required by applicable law. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall

 

6


be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 1.9 Inspectors of Election . The Corporation may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (ii) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify the determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspector’s count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

Section 1.10 Conduct of Meetings . The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to

 

7


the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 1.11 Notification of Nominations .

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.11 (or pursuant to Section 1.2) are eligible for election as directors.

(b) Nominations of persons for election to the Board may only be made at a meeting properly called for the election of directors and only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a stockholder who (A) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 1.11 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote for the election of Directors at the meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 1.11, except with respect to nominations by a stockholder where the stockholder proposing such nomination has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intent to nominate a director for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement, and such nominations have been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting, all in compliance with Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act, in which case the notice requirements of this Section 1.11 shall be deemed satisfied with respect to those shareholder nominations. Section 1.11(b)(ii) is the exclusive means by which a Stockholder may nominate a person for election to the Board, except with respect to a stockholder requested special meeting, which is governed by Section 1.2. Persons nominated in accordance with Section 1.11(b)(ii) are referred to as “ Stockholder Nominees ”. A Stockholder nominating persons for election to the Board is referred to as the “ Nominating Stockholder ”.

(c) All nominations of Stockholder Nominees pursuant to Section 1.11(b)(ii) must be made by timely written notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder of record of the Corporation (the “ Notice of Nomination ”). To be timely, the Notice of Nomination must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by the following dates:

(i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, no earlier than 90 days and no later than 60 days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if (A) the annual meeting of stockholders is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 70 days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders or (B) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, then the notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received (x) no earlier than 90

 

8


days before such annual meeting and (y) no later than the later of (1) 60 days before such annual meeting and (2) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation;

(ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors (other than pursuant to a stockholder requested special meeting in which case Section 1.2(b) shall govern), no earlier than 90 days before such special meeting and no later than the later of (A) 60 days before the date of the special meeting and (B) the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting shall first be given to stockholders.

In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(d) The Notice of Nomination shall set forth the following:

(i) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination (the “ Nominating Stockholder ”) and of the person or persons to be nominated (the “ Stockholder Nominee ”);

(ii) the class and number of shares held of record, held beneficially and represented by proxy by the Nominating Stockholder as of the record date of the meeting (if such a date has been established) and as of the date of such notice and a representation that the Nominating Stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the Stockholder Nominees;

(iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the Nominating Stockholder and each Stockholder Nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the Nominating Stockholder;

(iv) such other information regarding each Stockholder Nominee as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each Stockholder Nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board and all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Nominating Stockholder were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and

(v) the consent in writing of each Stockholder Nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected.

(e) The Nominating Committee or the officer or other person presiding over the meeting as provided in Section 1.5 of these By-Laws shall refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

 

9


(f) If the Nominating Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Nominating Stockholder) does not appear at the applicable Stockholder meeting to nominate the Stockholder Nominees, such nomination shall be disregarded and such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.

(g) Nothing in this Section 1.11 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate of Incorporation.

(h) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 1.11 to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board at the next annual meeting of stockholders is increased by virtue of an increase in the size of the Board and either all of the nominees for director at the next annual meeting of stockholders or the size of the increased Board is not publicly announced or disclosed by the Corporation at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Notice of Nomination shall also be considered timely hereunder, but only with respect to nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting as the result of any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the first day on which all such nominees or the size of the increased Board shall have been publicly announced or disclosed.

ARTICLE II

Board of Directors

Section 2.1 Election; Number; and Tenure .

(a) The members of the Board shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting for that purpose held in place thereof. No director need be a stockholder.

(b) The total number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be fixed from time to time by the Board. The Board must be comprised entirely of independent directors, except for the President and Chief Executive Officer and, at the discretion of the Board, up to two additional directors. The independence of directors shall be determined in the good faith judgment of the Board by reference to applicable law or stock exchange requirements and any additional independence standards that may be adopted by the Board at its discretion from time to time.

(c) The Chairman of the Board (the “ Chairman ”) shall be elected by a majority of the Board. If the Chairman is not an independent director, one independent director selected by a majority of the Board shall serve as lead director (the “ Lead Director ”). The Lead Director shall chair any meeting of the independent directors in executive session.

 

10


(d) Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, each director shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or removal.

Section 2.2 Removal; Resignation; Vacancies . A director may be removed, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board or by a sole remaining director. Any director so chosen shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified at the next election of directors or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board will shorten the term of an incumbent director.

Section 2.3 Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine.

Section 2.4 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time or place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by any member of the Board, the Corporation’s President and CEO, any of its Vice Presidents or its Secretary. Notice of a special meeting of the Board shall be given by the person or persons calling the meeting at least 24 hours before the special meeting.

Section 2.5 Telephonic Meetings Permitted . Members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.6 Quorum; Vote Required for Action . A majority of the whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum, may adjourn any meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of a majority of the directors in attendance thereat shall be the act of the Board, except where a vote of a larger number of the directors is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws.

Section 2.7 Organization . Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman, or in his or her absence by the President and CEO, or in his or her absence by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Corporation’s Secretary shall act as

 

11


secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 2.8 Action by Unanimous Consent of Directors . Unless otherwise restricted by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1 Committees . In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board is expressly authorized, subject, however, to applicable law and the applicable provisions in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, to designate by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions or in these By-Laws, and subject to these By-Laws, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in these By-Laws or, subject to these By-Laws, as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. The foregoing notwithstanding, any delegation to a committee of the power of the Board to take such actions as would require a greater than majority vote of the directors in order for the Board itself to adopt such actions must be made by such greater than majority vote.

Section 3.2 Procedures for Committees . Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and all action by such committee shall be reported to the Board at its meeting next succeeding such action. Each committee shall fix its own rules of procedure, provided that such rules are consistent with these By-Laws, and shall meet where and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board. The presence of a majority of the then appointed number of each committee shall constitute a quorum and in every case in which a quorum is present an affirmative vote by a majority of the members of the committee present shall be the act of the committee.

Section 3.3 Certain Committees of the Board . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Board shall have only four committees: Audit; Human Resources and Compensation/Nominating and Governance; Environmental Health and Safety; and Finance. Each of the Audit and Human Resources and Compensation/Nominating and Governance committees shall consist entirely of independent directors.

 

12


ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1 Executive Officers; Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . The executive officers of the Corporation shall include: (i) a President and Chief Executive Officer (the “ President and CEO ”), who shall also be a director; and (ii) a Secretary. The Board may, if it so determines, choose one or more Vice Presidents to serve as executive officers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers. The President and CEO shall have the authority to appoint and remove any other officers of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Each executive officer of the Corporation shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding his or her election, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. The Board may remove any officer with or without cause at any time, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board at any regular or special meeting. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation.

Section 4.2 Powers and Duties of Executive Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as may be prescribed in a resolution by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.

Section 4.3 Appointing Attorneys and Agents; Voting Securities of Other Entities . Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board, the President and CEO or any Vice President serving as Executive Officers may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other Corporation or other entity, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other Corporation or other entity, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other Corporation or other entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consents, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper. Any of the rights set forth in this Section 4.3 which may be delegated to an attorney or agent may also be exercised directly by Board, the President and CEO or any Vice President serving as Executive Officers.

 

13


ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1 Certificates . The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or all of such shares shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or a combination of both. If any shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board, signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the President and CEO, and by the Treasurer or Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 5.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5.3 Beneficial Owners . The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of the shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

ARTICLE VI

Miscellaneous

Section 6.1 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board.

Section 6.2 Seal . The corporate seal shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board.

Section 6.3 Manner of Notice . Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses

 

14


appearing on the books of the Corporation. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States or Canadian mail, postage prepaid, directed to such person at this address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Notice to directors may be given by facsimile, telephone or other means of electronic transmission.

Section 6.4 Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees . Any waiver of notice, given by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 6.5 Form of Records . Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time.

Section 6.6 Time Periods. In applying any provision of these By-Laws that requires that an act be performed or not be performed a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days will be used unless otherwise specified, the day of the doing of the act will be excluded, and the day of the event will be included.

 

15