UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 11, 2011

 

 

ANSYS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-20853   04-3219960

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

275 Technology Drive, Canonsburg, PA   15317
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) (724) 746-3304

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


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

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ANSYS, Inc. (the “Company”) held on May 11, 2011, the stockholders of the Company approved the Fourth Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan (the “Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan”). In accordance with the terms of the Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan, it became effective as of May 11, 2011 upon receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders. The Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan, among other things, (a) increases the number of shares available for awards by 5,200,000 shares, from 25,400,000 shares to 30,600,000 shares, (b) clarifies the methodology for share counting, requires shares issued pursuant to “full value” awards to cause a greater number of shares to be deducted from the plan, and limits the ability to recycle shares, (c) removes automatic equity grants to non-affiliate directors and single trigger accelerated vesting of equity grants to non-affiliate directors, (d) permits the award of stock appreciation rights and cash-based awards, neither of which were available under the Third Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan, (e) requires minimum vesting periods for certain grants of restricted stock awards, performance share awards and deferred stock awards, (f) eliminates the ability to grant “reload” options, (g) includes the performance criteria that may be used in connection with certain performance-based awards and includes mechanisms for making awards that can be exempt from the deduction limitations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, (h) clarifies the treatment of awards upon a sale event and includes a mechanism for an acquirer to assume outstanding awards and (i) extends the term of the Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan for ten years. This description of the Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Fourth Amended and Restated Option Plan attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

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

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 11, 2011, the stockholders of the Company also approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock by 150,000,000 shares from 150,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares as described in more detail in Item 5.07 below. A Certificate of Amendment was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State’s office on May 11, 2011 and is effective as of that date. This description of the Certificate of Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate of Amendment attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2011 to consider and vote on the matters listed below. The proposals are described in detail in the Proxy Statement of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011. The final voting results from the meeting are set forth below.


ANSYS Proposal 1: Election of Directors

Having received a majority of the votes cast in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the individuals named below were each elected to serve as directors of the Company for three-year terms expiring in 2014:

 

Name   Votes
For
    Votes
Against
 
James E. Cashman III     81,030,196        6,573,144   
Ajei S. Gopal     80,760,745        6,942,595   
William R. McDermott     80,532,252        7,171,088   

ANSYS Proposal 2: Amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Having received a majority of the votes entitled to vote thereon, as set forth below and in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance by the Company by 150,000,000 shares, from 150,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares was approved.

 

Votes
For
  Votes
Against
    Abstentions  
72,815,493     14,876,491        11,356   

ANSYS Proposal 3: Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s Option Plan

Having received a majority of the votes from shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Company’s Annual Meeting, as set forth below, the amendment and restatement of the Company’s Third Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan in the form of the Fourth Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan was approved.


Votes
For
  Votes
Against
    Abstentions  
75,535,718     6,831,206        935,317   

ANSYS Proposal 4: Non-Binding, Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Named Executive Officers

Having received a majority of the votes from shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Company’s Annual Meeting, as set forth below, the non-binding advisory vote in favor of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers was approved.

 

Votes
For
  Votes
Against
    Abstentions  
81,543,720     890,815        867,706   

ANSYS Proposal 5: Non-Binding, Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Non-Binding, Advisory Votes on the Compensation of Named Executive Officers

Having received a majority of the votes from shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Company’s Annual Meeting, as set forth below, the shareholders of the Company have returned a non-binding, advisory vote to hold future non-binding, advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers every year.

 

Votes for
1 Year
  Votes for
2 Years
    Votes for
3 Years
    Abstentions  
72,026,415     820,417        9,587,637        867,772   


ANSYS Proposal 6: Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Having received a majority of the votes cast as set forth below and in accordance with the Company’s By-Laws, the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal year was ratified.

 

Votes
For
     Votes
Against
     Abstentions  
  75,947,512         11,745,649         10,179   

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  3.1    Certificate of Amendment as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 11, 2011.
10.1    Fourth Amended and Restated ANSYS, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan.


SIGNATURES

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

 

    ANSYS, INC.
Date: May 17, 2011     By:  

/s/ Sheila S. DiNardo

      Sheila S. DiNardo – Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  3.1    Certificate of Amendment as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 11, 2011.
10.1    Fourth Amended and Restated ANSYS, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan.

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ANSYS, INC.

ANSYS, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated as of July 11, 1996, as amended by a Certificate of Amendment filed on June 20, 2006 (the “Restated Certificate”) is hereby amended as follows:

 

  1. The first paragraph of Article IV, Section 1., of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

“The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Three Hundred Two Million (302,000,000) shares, of which (i) Two Million (2,000,000) shares shall be Undesignated Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and (ii) Three Hundred Million (300,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). As set forth in this Article IV, the Board of Directors or any authorized committee thereof is authorized from time to time to establish and designate one or more series of Preferred Stock, to fix and determine the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the different series of Preferred Stock in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article IV, and to fix or alter the number of shares comprising any such series and the designation thereof to the extent permitted by law.”

 

  2. The remaining provisions of the Restated Certificate shall remain in full force and not be affected by this Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate.

 

  3. This Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate has been approved and adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and has been duly adopted by vote of the stockholders of the Corporation, at a meeting duly called, in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, including Section 242, and the provisions of the Restated Certificate.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by James E. Cashman III, its President and Chief Executive Officer, this 11th day of May, 2011, which signature constitutes the affirmation or acknowledgment of such officer, under penalties of perjury, that this instrument is the act and deed of the Corporation, and that the facts stated herein are true.

 

ANSYS, Inc.
By:  

/s/ James E. Cashman III

  James E. Cashman III
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.1

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

ANSYS, INC.

1996 STOCK OPTION AND GRANT PLAN

SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS

The name of the plan is the Fourth Amended and Restated ANSYS, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, directors, consultants and key persons of ANSYS, Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Award ” or “ Awards ,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash–Based Awards, Performance Share Awards, Deferred Stock Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cash Based Awards ” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash denominated payment.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

Committee ” means the Committee of the Board referred to in Section 2.

Covered Employee ” means an employee who is a “Covered Employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Deferred Stock Award ” means Awards granted pursuant to Section 11.

Dividend Equivalent Right ” means Awards granted pursuant to Section 12.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the Plan is approved by stockholders as set forth in Section 21.

Fair Market Value ” of the Stock on any given date means (i) if the Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), the Fair Market Value on any given date shall not be less than the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices of the Stock reported for such date or, if no bid and asked prices were reported for such date, for the last day preceding such date for which such prices were reported, or (ii) if the Stock is admitted to trading on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System, then clause (i) shall not apply and the Fair Market Value on any date shall not be less than the closing price reported for the Stock on such exchange or system for such date or, if no sales were reported for such date, for the last date preceding such date for which a sale was reported.


Incentive Stock Option ” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

Independent Director ” means a member of the Board who is considered an “Independent Director” as set forth in the Nasdaq listing requirements.

Non-Qualified Stock Option ” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

Option ” or “ Stock Option ” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

Performance Based Award ” means any Restricted Stock Award, Deferred Stock Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Performance Criteria ” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Committee, including, but not limited to, the Company or a unit, division, group, or Subsidiary of the Company) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Stock, economic value-added, funds from operations or similar measure, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, stockholder returns, return on sales, gross or net profit levels, productivity, expense, margins, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, working capital, earnings (loss) per share of Stock, sales or market shares and number of customers, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.

Performance Cycle ” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantee’s right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Deferred Stock Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.

Performance Goals ” means, for a Performance Cycle, the specific goals established in writing by the Committee for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.

Performance Share Award ” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 10.

Restricted Stock Award ” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.

Stock ” means the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

Stock Appreciation Right ” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

Subsidiary ” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities, beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations or entities (other than the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain) owns stock or other interests possessing 50% or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or entities in the chain.

Unrestricted Stock Award ” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 8.

 

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SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO SELECT PARTICIPANTS AND DETERMINE AWARDS

(a) Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or any other committee of not less than two Independent Directors performing similar functions as appointed by the Board from time to time. Each member of the Committee shall be an “Outside Director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Plan may be administered by either the Board or a committee of not less than two “Independent Directors” and all references to the “Committee” shall also be deemed to refer to the Board.

(b) Powers of Committee . The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

(i) to select the officers, employees, directors, consultants and key persons of the Company and its Subsidiaries to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash Based Awards, Performance Share Awards, Deferred Stock Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more participants;

(iii) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and participants, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the Awards;

(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award and/or to include provisions in Awards providing for such acceleration;

(vi) to impose any limitations on Awards granted under the Plan, including limitations on transfers, repurchase provisions and the like;

(vii) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised;

(viii) to determine at any time whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the participant and whether and to what extent the Company shall pay or credit amounts constituting interest (at rates determined by the Committee) or dividends or deemed dividends on such deferrals; and

(ix) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards . The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part of the Committee’s authority and duties with respect to Awards, including the granting thereof, to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Act or “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

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(d) Indemnification . Neither the Board nor the Committee, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Committee (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.

(e) Foreign Award Recipients . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Committee determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

(f) Full Value Award Minimum Vesting Requirements . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, the minimum restriction or vesting period with respect to any Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share Award and Deferred Stock Award granted to employees or consultants shall be no less than one year in the case of a performance based restriction or vesting period and no less than three years in the case of a time based restriction or vesting period; provided, however, that an Award with a time based restriction or vesting period may become unrestricted and vested incrementally over such three year period; and provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Share Awards and Deferred Stock Awards that result in the issuance of up to 5% of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a) may be granted in the aggregate to any one or more eligible participants in the Plan without respect to such minimum vesting provisions.

SECTION 3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION

(a) Stock Issuable . The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 30,600,000 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment provided in Section 3. For purposes of the foregoing limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards which are forfeited, canceled, or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shares shall not be added to the shares authorized for grant under the Plan: (i) shares tendered or held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, and (ii) shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise thereof. In the event the Company repurchases shares of Stock on the open market, such shares shall not be added to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, shares of Stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to no more than 900,000 shares of Stock may be granted to any one individual participant during any one calendar year period and no more than 30,600,000 shares of Stock may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.

 

4


(b) Recapitalizations . If, through or as a result of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, the Committee shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan and maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that can be granted to any one individual participant and the maximum number of shares that may be granted under a Performance Based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, and (iv) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The adjustment by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Committee in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

(c) Mergers and Other Transactions . In the case of (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the Company is acquired by another person or entity (other than a holding company formed by the Company), (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an unrelated person or entity, or (iv) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person or entity (in each case, a “Transaction”), the Plan and all outstanding Awards shall be assumed or continued by the successor entity or parent thereof with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as provided in Section 3(b) above. In such event, except as the Committee may otherwise specify with respect to particular Awards in the Award agreements, if the employment or other service relationship of a holder of an Award is terminated without cause on or within 18 months after a Transaction, then all Awards held by such holder shall become fully exercisable and/or vested at such time. In the event the successor entity or parent thereof refuses to assume or continue outstanding Awards, then subject to the consummation of the Transaction and to the extent Awards are not assumed or continued, (x) all Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested, exercisable and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Transaction and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with the Transaction in the Committee’s discretion; and (y) upon the effective time of the Transaction, the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In the event of such termination, (A) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the value as determined by the Committee of the consideration payable per share of Stock pursuant to the Transaction (the “Sale Price”) times the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder) at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (2) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights; or (B) each grantee shall be permitted to exercise for a period of at least 15 days prior to the date of such termination all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by such grantee.

(d) Substitute Awards . The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees of another corporation who become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(e) Effect of Awards . The grant of any full value Award (i.e., an Award other than an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right) shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a), as an Award of 2.5 shares of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award. The grant of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a), as an Award for one share of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award. Any forfeitures, cancellations or other terminations (other than by exercise) of such Awards shall be returned to the reserved pool of shares of Stock under the Plan in the same manner.

 

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SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY

Participants in the Plan will be such directors, officers and other employees, consultants and key persons of the Company and its Subsidiaries who are responsible for or contribute to the management, growth or profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS

Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be pursuant to a stock option agreement which shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve. Option agreements need not be identical.

Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. Non-Qualified Stock Options may be granted to officers, employees, directors, advisors, consultants and key persons of the Company and its Subsidiaries. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(a) Terms of Stock Options . Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(i) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant in the case of Incentive Stock Options. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.

(ii) Option Term . The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the option is granted. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the term of such option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.

(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder . Stock Options shall become vested and exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the grant date. The Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

(iv) Method of Exercise . Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods:

(A) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Committee;

(B) In the form of shares of Stock that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan and that have been held by the optionee free of such restrictions for at least six months, if permitted by the Committee in its discretion. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

 

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(C) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or

(D) With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option award documentation or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

(v) Termination . Unless otherwise provided in the option agreement or determined by the Committee, upon the optionee’s termination of employment (or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries, the optionee’s rights in his Stock Options shall automatically terminate.

(vi) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options . To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

(a) Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights . The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.

(b) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Committee independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.

(c) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years.

SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards . The Committee may grant Restricted Stock Awards to any officer, employee, consultant or key person of the Company and its Subsidiaries. A Restricted Stock Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at par value or such other purchase price determined by the Committee,

 

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shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee may determine at the time of grant (“Restricted Stock”). Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other business relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.

(b) Rights as a Stockholder . Upon execution of a written instrument setting forth the Restricted Stock Award and paying any applicable purchase price, a participant shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in Section 7(d) below.

(c) Restrictions . Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award. If a participant’s employment (or other business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, the Company or its assigns shall have the right or shall agree, as may be specified in the relevant restricted stock agreement, to repurchase Restricted Stock with respect to which conditions have not lapsed at their purchase price from the participant or the participant’s legal representative.

(d) Vesting of Restricted Stock . The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals (including goals based on the Performance Criteria), objectives and other conditions on which Restricted Stock shall become vested, subject to such further rights of the Company or its assigns as may be specified in the instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award.

(e) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends . The written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver, deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock.

SECTION 8. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

(a) Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at a purchase price determined by the Committee) an Unrestricted Stock Award to any officer, employee, consultant or key person of the Company or its Subsidiaries, pursuant to which such individual may receive shares of Stock free of any vesting restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”) under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted or sold as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of any cash compensation due to such individual.

SECTION 9. CASH BASED AWARDS

Grant of Cash-Based Awards . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any grantee in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant. The Committee shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable (which may included the achievement of Performance Goals), and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Committee. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash or in shares of Stock, as the Committee determines.

SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS

(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards . A Performance Share Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals (including goals based on the Performance Criteria). The Committee may make Performance Share Awards independent of or in connection with the granting of any other Award under the Plan. Performance Share Awards may be granted under the Plan to any officer, employee, consultant or key person of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including those who qualify for

 

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awards under other performance plans of the Company. The Committee in its sole discretion shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be made, the performance goals applicable under each such Award, the periods during which performance is to be measured, and all other limitations and conditions applicable to the awarded Performance Shares; provided, however, that the Committee may rely on the performance goals and other standards applicable to other performance unit plans of the Company in setting the standards for Performance Share Awards under the Plan.

(b) Restrictions on Transfer . Performance Share Awards and all rights with respect to such Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered.

(c) Rights as a Shareholder . A participant receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually received by the participant under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the participant. A participant shall be entitled to receive a stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of shares of Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the written instrument evidencing the Performance Share Award (or in a performance plan adopted by the Committee).

(d) Termination . Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any time, a participant’s rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant’s termination of employment (or business relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

(e) Acceleration, Waiver, Etc . At any time prior to the participant’s termination of employment (or other business relationship) by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 18, amend any or all of the goals, restrictions or conditions imposed under any Performance Share Award.

SECTION 11. DEFERRED STOCK AWARDS

(a) Nature of Deferred Stock Awards . A Deferred Stock Award is an Award of phantom stock units to a grantee, subject to restrictions and conditions as the Committee may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives (including goals based on the Performance Criteria). The grant of a Deferred Stock Award is contingent on the grantee executing the Deferred Stock Award agreement. The terms and conditions of each such agreement shall be determined by the Committee, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. At the end of the deferral period, the Deferred Stock Award, to the extent vested, shall be paid to the grantee in the form of shares of Stock.

(b) Election to Receive Deferred Stock Awards in Lieu of Compensation . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of a Deferred Stock Award. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Committee and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and such other rules and procedures established by the Committee. The Committee shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Committee deems appropriate. Any such deferred compensation shall be converted to a fixed number of phantom stock units based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee but for the deferral.

(c) Rights as a Stockholder . During the deferral period, a grantee shall have no rights as a stockholder; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the phantom stock units underlying his Deferred Stock Award, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.

(d) Termination . Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 18 below, in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a grantee’s right in all Deferred Stock Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

 

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SECTION 12. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

(a) Dividend Equivalent Rights . A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive credits based on cash dividends that would be paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares were held by the recipient. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any officer, employee, consultant or key person, as a component of another Award or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the grant. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other award. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may also contain terms and conditions different from such other award.

(b) Interest Equivalents . Any Award under this Plan that is settled in whole or in part in cash on a deferred basis may provide in the grant for interest equivalents to be credited with respect to such cash payment. Interest equivalents may be compounded and shall be paid upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the grant.

SECTION 13. PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS TO COVERED EMPLOYEES

(a) Performance-Based Awards . Any employee or other key person providing services to the Company and who is selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards in the form of a Restricted Stock Award, Deferred Stock Awards, Performance Share Awards or Cash-Based Award payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Committee and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. The Committee shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, or an individual. The Committee, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Cycle in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of an individual (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or (iii) in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions provided however, that the Committee may not exercise such discretion in a manner that would increase the Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.

(b) Grant of Performance-Based Awards . With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Committee shall select, within the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the Performance Criteria for such grant, and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Committee may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different Covered Employees.

 

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(c) Payment of Performance-Based Awards . Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Committee shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Committee shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employee’s Performance-Based Award, and, in doing so, may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award for a Covered Employee if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.

(d) Maximum Award Payable . The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to any one Covered Employee under the Plan for a Performance Cycle is 900,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) hereof) or $2,500,000 in the case of a Performance-Based Award that is a Cash-Based Award.

SECTION 14. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

(a) Transferability . Except as provided in Section 14(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.

(b) Committee Action . Notwithstanding Section 14(a), the Committee, in its discretion, may provide either in the agreement regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Awards (other than any Incentive Stock Options or Deferred Stock Awards) to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.

(c) Family Member . For purposes of Section 14(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.

(d) Designation of Beneficiary . Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Committee and shall not be effective until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

SECTION 15. TAX WITHHOLDING

(a) Each participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the participant. The Company’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

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(b) Payment in Stock . Subject to approval by the Committee, a grantee may elect to have the Company’s minimum required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

SECTION 16. SECTION 409A AWARDS

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

SECTION 17. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.

For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing.

SECTION 18. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Committee may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award (or provide substitute Awards at the same exercise or purchase price in a manner not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan), but such price, if any, must satisfy the requirements which would apply to the substitute or amended Award if it were then initially granted under this Plan for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan may be re-priced, either by amendment to the Option or Stock Appreciation Right or by cancellation of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for the grant of a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price, without the prior approval by the Company’s stockholders who are eligible to vote at a meeting of stockholders. If and to the extent determined by the Committee to be required by the Act to ensure that Awards granted under the Plan are exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Act, or that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, or as required by other applicable laws, rules or requirements, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders who are eligible to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Any material Plan amendments shall be subject to shareholder approval to the extent required by Rule 4350(i) of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., as such rule may be amended and interpreted from time to time.

SECTION 19. STATUS OF PLAN

With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

 

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SECTION 20. GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements . The Committee may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar requirements have been satisfied. The Committee may require the placing of such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems appropriate.

(b) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights . Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

(c) Trading Policy Restrictions . Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.

SECTION 21. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

This Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority of the shares of Stock of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Subject to such approval by the stockholders and to the requirement that no Stock may be issued hereunder prior to such approval, Stock Options and other Awards may be granted hereunder on and after adoption of this Plan by the Board. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after May 11, 2021 and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after February 17, 2021.

SECTION 22. GOVERNING LAW

This Plan shall be governed by Delaware law except to the extent such law is preempted by federal law.

 

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