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): November 5, 2013
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MARYLAND | 13-011337 | 46-2488594 | ||
(State of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100 |
||
Dallas, Texas | 75254 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600
Check the appropriate box 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 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On November 8, 2013 Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. (the Company ) entered into a Separation and Distribution (the Separation Agreement ) by and between Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. ( Ashford Trust ), Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership, Ashford TRS Corporation, the Company, Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (the Companys operating partnership) and Ashford Prime TRS Corporation, to effect the separation and distribution of the Company from Ashford Trust and provide a framework for the Companys relationships with Ashford Trust after the separation. This agreement governs the relationship between the Company, and its subsidiaries, and Ashford Trust, and its subsidiaries, subsequent to the completion of the separation and provides for the allocation of Ashford Trusts assets, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to the separation between the Company and Ashford Trust.
The information statement filed as an exhibit to the Companys Registration Statement on Form 10, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2013, as amended (the Information Statement ), provides a detailed description of the terms of the Separation Agreement. Such information is incorporated herein by reference. The Separation Agreement is also attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(d) Election of New Directors
On November 5, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ) increased the size of the Board from two members to seven. Stefani D. Carter, Curtis B. McWilliams, W. Michael Murphy, Mathew D. Rinaldi and Andrew L. Strong were each appointed and duly elected to fill the vacancies created by the increase in the size of the Board. Mr. Bennett will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. Each of Ms. Carter, Mr. McWilliams, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Rinaldi and Mr. Strong was determined to be an independent director under the New York Stock Exchanges ( NYSE ) independence standards. The initial term of each director will expire on the date of the first annual meeting of the Companys stockholders. The committees of the Board will be comprised of the following independent directors:
Audit Committee: Stefani D. Carter, Curtis B. McWilliams and W. Michael Murphy
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: Stefani D. Carter and Andrew L. Strong
Compensation Committee: W. Michael Murphy, Matthew D. Rinaldi and Andrew L. Strong
The Information Statement contains the biographical information about the newly appointed directors and information about director compensation. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Adoption of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan
On November 5, 2013, the Board adopted the Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan ). The Information Statement contains a complete description of the Plan, and such description is incorporated by reference herein. The Plan is also attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.03 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
The Company amended and restated its Bylaws on November 5, 2013 (the Amended and Restated Bylaws ) and filed Articles of Amendment and Restatement on November 8, 2013 (the Articles of Amendment and Restatement ). Please see the Information Statement for a description of the material provisions of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which description is incorporated herein by reference. The Companys Articles of Amendment and Restatement and Amended and Restated Bylaws are also attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
2.1 | Separation and Distribution Agreement between Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. and Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. | |
3.1 | Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. | |
10.1 | Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 12, 2013
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ David A. Brooks |
|
David A. Brooks | ||
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel |
Exhibit 2.1
SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
by and between
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
ASHFORD TRS CORPORATION,
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
and
ASHFORD PRIME TRS CORPORATION
dated as of
November 8, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
Section 1.1 |
Definitions |
1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Interpretation |
10 | ||||
ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION |
11 | |||||
Section 2.1 |
Reorganization |
11 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Transfers of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities |
11 | ||||
ARTICLE III CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION |
14 | |||||
Section 3.1 |
SEC and Other Securities Filings |
14 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
NYSE Listing Application |
15 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Distribution Agent Agreement |
15 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Governmental Approvals and Third-Party Consents |
15 | ||||
Section 3.5 |
Ancillary Agreements |
15 | ||||
Section 3.6 |
Governance Matters |
15 | ||||
ARTICLE IV THE DISTRIBUTION |
16 | |||||
Section 4.1 |
Delivery to Distribution Agent |
16 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Mechanics of the Distribution |
16 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Fractional Shares |
16 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
2013 Ashford Prime Equity Incentive Plan |
17 | ||||
ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTION CONDITIONS |
17 | |||||
Section 5.1 |
Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution |
17 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Right Not to Close |
19 | ||||
ARTICLE VI NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES |
19 | |||||
Section 6.1 |
Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties |
19 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
As Is, Where Is |
19 | ||||
ARTICLE VII CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS |
20 | |||||
Section 7.1 |
Insurance Matters |
20 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Tax Matters |
21 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities |
21 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE |
22 | |||||
Section 8.1 |
Agreement for Exchange of Information |
22 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Ownership of Information |
23 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Compensation for Providing Information |
23 |
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Section 8.4 |
Retention of Records | 24 | ||||
Section 8.5 |
Limitation of Liability | 24 | ||||
Section 8.6 |
Production of Witnesses | 24 | ||||
Section 8.7 |
Confidentiality | 25 | ||||
Section 8.8 |
Privileged Matters | 26 | ||||
Section 8.9 |
Financial Information Certifications | 27 | ||||
ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS |
28 | |||||
Section 9.1 |
Tax Returns | 28 | ||||
Section 9.2 |
Cooperation | 29 | ||||
Section 9.3 |
Transfer Taxes | 29 | ||||
Section 9.4 |
Tax Contests | 29 | ||||
Section 9.5 |
Ad Valorem Tax Refunds | 30 | ||||
ARTICLE X MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION |
30 | |||||
Section 10.1 |
Release of Pre-Distribution Claims | 30 | ||||
Section 10.2 |
Indemnification by Ashford Prime | 31 | ||||
Section 10.3 |
Indemnification by Ashford Trust | 32 | ||||
Section 10.4 |
Procedures for Indemnification | 33 | ||||
Section 10.5 |
Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds | 36 | ||||
Section 10.6 |
Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes | 36 | ||||
Section 10.7 |
Contribution | 37 | ||||
Section 10.8 |
Remedies Cumulative | 37 | ||||
Section 10.9 |
Survival of Indemnities | 37 | ||||
Section 10.10 |
Limitation of Liability | 37 | ||||
ARTICLE XI DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
37 | |||||
Section 11.1 |
Appointed Representative | 37 | ||||
Section 11.2 |
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution | 38 | ||||
Section 11.3 |
Arbitration | 38 | ||||
ARTICLE XII TERMINATION |
39 | |||||
Section 12.1 |
Termination | 39 | ||||
Section 12.2 |
Effect of Termination | 39 | ||||
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS |
39 | |||||
Section 13.1 |
Further Assurances | 39 | ||||
Section 13.2 |
Payment of Expenses | 39 | ||||
Section 13.3 |
Amendments and Waivers | 40 |
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Section 13.4 |
Entire Agreement |
40 | ||||
Section 13.5 |
Survival of Agreements |
40 | ||||
Section 13.6 |
Third Party Beneficiaries |
40 | ||||
Section 13.7 |
Notices |
40 | ||||
Section 13.8 |
Counterparts; Electronic Delivery |
42 | ||||
Section 13.9 |
Severability |
42 | ||||
Section 13.10 |
Assignability; Binding Effect |
43 | ||||
Section 13.11 |
Governing Law |
43 | ||||
Section 13.12 |
Performance |
43 | ||||
Section 13.13 |
Title and Headings |
43 | ||||
Section 13.14 |
Exhibits and Schedules |
43 |
Exhibit A Property and JV Entities
Exhibit B TRS Entities
Schedule 2.2(a) Number of Ashford Prime Common Units Issued to Ashford Trust OP
Schedule 2.2(b) Number of Ashford Prime Common Units Distributed to Limited Partners of Ashford Trust OP
Schedule 2.2(d) Assumed Guarantees
Schedule 9.4 Tax Contests
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SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is entered into as of November 8, 2013 (the Effective Date ) by and between ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation ( Ashford Trust ), ASHFORD HOSPITALITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership ( Ashford Trust OP ), ASHFORD TRS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ( Ashford Trust TRS ), ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC., a Maryland corporation ( Ashford Prime ), ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited partnership ( Ashford Prime OP ), and ASHFORD PRIME TRS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ( Ashford Prime TRS ). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Ashford Trust has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Ashford Trust and its stockholders to establish Ashford Prime as an independent publicly traded company and to undertake the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the parties intend to effect the separation of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime by distributing to the holders of Ashford Trust Common Stock outstanding on the Distribution Date, on a pro rata basis, all of the outstanding shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock owned by Ashford Trust as of the Distribution Date (which shall represent 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
Action means any demand, claim, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.
Advisor means Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Advisory Agreement means the advisory agreement dated effective as of the Distribution Date between Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP and the Advisor.
Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. For this purpose control of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. From and after the Distribution Date, Ashford Prime Group shall be deemed not to be Affiliates of Ashford Trust Group.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes all Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or delivered pursuant hereto.
Agreement Dispute has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(a).
Ancillary Agreements has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.
Appointed Representative has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
Appropriate Member of the Ashford Trust Group has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
Appropriate Member of the Ashford Prime Group has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.
Ashford Prime has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Ashford Prime Assets means all of the Assets to be held by Ashford Prime or Ashford Prime OP following the Contribution, including without limitation (i) the Property and JV Interests and the TRS Interests, (ii) the Assets held by any of the Property and JV Entities, TRS Entities, or any Subsidiary thereof, (iii) the Properties and any working capital held for the benefit of the Properties, and (iv) the cash contributed by Ashford Trust to Ashford Prime as provided in Section 2.2(b).
Ashford Prime Common Stock means the common stock of Ashford Prime, par value $0.01 per share.
Ashford Prime Common Units means the common units of limited partnership interest of Ashford Prime OP.
Ashford Prime Hotel Master Management Agreement means that certain Ashford Prime Hotel Master Management Agreement by and between Ashford Prime TRS and Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, dated as of the Distribution Date.
Ashford Prime Group means Ashford Prime and the Ashford Prime Subsidiaries.
Ashford Prime Indemnitees means each member of the Ashford Prime Group and its Affiliates and each of their respective current or former directors, officers, agents and employees
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(in each case, in such Persons respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
Ashford Prime Liabilities means, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or one or more Ancillary Agreements, if any:
(a) all Liabilities relating to or arising out of the Ashford Prime Assets whether arising prior to, at the time of, or after the Effective Time (other than Taxes as provided for in Article IX),
(b) all Liabilities arising out of claims made by Ashford Primes directors, officers and Affiliates after the Effective Time against Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime, to the extent relating to the Ashford Prime Assets; and
(c) fifty percent (50%) of the Form 10 Liabilities with respect to claims made in the two years following the Distribution Date, if any, and one hundred percent (100%) of the Form 10 Liabilities with respect to claims made on or after the second anniversary of the Distribution Date, if any.
Ashford Prime Mutual Exclusivity Agreement means that certain Ashford Prime Mutual Exclusivity Agreement, by and among Ashford Prime OP, Ashford Prime and Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, dated as of the Distribution Date.
Ashford Prime OP has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Ashford Prime Subsidiaries means the Subsidiaries of Ashford Prime immediately following the Distribution.
Ashford Prime TRS has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Ashford Trust has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Ashford Trust Assets means all Assets owned, directly or indirectly, by Ashford Trust or any member of the Ashford Trust Group, other than any Ashford Prime Assets.
Ashford Trust Common Stock means the common stock of Ashford Trust, par value $0.01 per share.
Ashford Trust Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2011, by and among Ashford Trust OP, Ashford Trust, KeyBanc Capital Markets, KeyBank National Association and the financial institutions party thereto, as amended through the date hereof.
Ashford Trust Group means Ashford Trust and the Ashford Trust Subsidiaries other than the Ashford Prime Group.
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Ashford Trust Indemnitees means each member of the Ashford Trust Group and its Affiliates (other than members of the Ashford Prime Group) and each of their respective current or former directors, officers, agents and employees (in each case, in such Persons respective capacity as such) and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
Ashford Trust Liabilities means any Liabilities of Ashford Trust or any of its Subsidiaries, other than any Ashford Prime Liabilities.
Ashford Trust OP has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Ashford Trust Subsidiaries means the Subsidiaries of Ashford Trust immediately following the Distribution.
Ashford Trust TRS has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Asset means all rights, properties or other assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wheresoever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.
Assumed Guarantees has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d) .
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the States of Texas or New York are authorized or obligated by applicable Law or executive order to close.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Confidential Information means any and all information:
(a) that is required to be maintained in confidence by any Law or under any Contract;
(b) concerning market studies, business plans, computer hardware, computer software (including all versions, source and object codes and all related files and data), software and database technologies, systems, structures and architectures, and other similar technical or business information;
(c) concerning any business and its affairs, which includes earnings reports and forecasts, macro-economic reports and forecasts, business and strategic plans, general market evaluations and surveys, litigation presentations and risk assessments, financing and credit-related information, financial projections, tax returns and accountants materials, historical, business plans, strategic plans, Contracts, however documented, and other similar financial or business information;
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(d) constituting communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), communications and materials otherwise related to or made or prepared in connection with or in preparation for any legal proceeding; or
(e) constituting notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material that contain or are based, in whole or in part, upon any information included in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d).
Consent means any consent, waiver or approval from, or notification requirement to, any Person other than a member of either Group.
Contract means any written, oral, implied or other contract, agreement, covenant, lease, license, guaranty, indemnity, representation, warranty, assignment, sales order, purchase order, power of attorney, instrument or other commitment, assurance, undertaking or arrangement that is binding on any Person or entity or any part of its property under applicable Law.
Contribution means the transaction contemplated by Section 2.2(a).
CPR means The International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.
CPR Rules has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3(a).
Distribution means the transactions contemplated by Article IV.
Distribution Agent means Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Distribution Date means the date on which the Distribution occurs, such date to be determined by, or under the authority of, the board of directors of Ashford Trust, in its sole and absolute discretion.
Distribution Ratio has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).
Effective Date means the date first set forth above in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Effective Time means the time at which the Distribution is effective on the Distribution Date.
Encumbrances means any claim, lien, pledge, voting agreement, option, charge, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, right of assignment, purchase right or other right of any nature whatsoever of any third party.
Escrow Account has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Expense Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
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Expense Amount Accountants Letter has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Expense Amount Tax Opinion has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Form 10 Liabilities means Liabilities, if any, arising from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Form 10 or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the Form 10 or necessary to make the statements in the Form 10 not misleading with respect to all information contained in the Form 10.
Governmental Approval means any notice, report or other filing to be given to or made with, or any release, consent, substitution, approval, amendment, registration, permit or authorization from, any Governmental Authority.
Governmental Authority means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.
Group means either the Ashford Trust Group or the Ashford Prime Group, as the context requires.
Guarantee means any guarantee (including guarantees of performance or payment under Contracts, commitments, Liabilities and permits), letter of credit or other credit or credit support arrangement or similar assurance, including surety bonds, bid bonds, advance payment bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, retention and/or warranty bonds or other bonds or similar instruments.
Indebtedness of any specified Person means (a) all obligations of such specified Person for borrowed money or arising out of any extension of credit to or for the account of such specified Person (including reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit, bankers acceptances and similar instruments), (b) all obligations of such specified Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such specified Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such specified Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Assets purchased by such specified Person, (e) all obligations of such specified Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (f) all Liabilities secured by (or for which any Person to which any such Liability is owed has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, lien, pledge or other encumbrance on property owned or acquired by such specified Person (or upon any revenues, income or profits of such specified Person therefrom), whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by the specified Person or otherwise become Liabilities of the specified Person, (g) all capital lease obligations of such specified Person, (h) all securities or other similar instruments convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing, and (i) any Liability of others of a type described in any of the preceding clauses (a) through (h) in respect of which the specified Person has incurred, assumed or acquired a Liability by means of a Guarantee.
Indemnifiable Loss has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.
Indemnifying Party has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(a).
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Indemnitee means any Ashford Trust Indemnitee or any Ashford Prime Indemnitee.
Indemnity Loan has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Indemnity Loan Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Indemnity Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.
Information Statement means the information statement, attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and any related documentation to be provided to holders of Ashford Trust Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
Insurance Policy means any insurance policies and insurance Contracts, including, without limitation, general liability, property and casualty, workers compensation, automobile, directors & officers liability, errors and omissions, employee dishonesty and fiduciary liability policies, whether, in each case, in the nature of primary, excess, umbrella or self-insurance overage, together with all rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.
Insurance Proceeds means those monies (in each case, net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof):
(a) received by an insured Person from any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any proceeds received directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person; or
(b) paid on behalf of an insured Person by any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective, excluding any such payment made directly or indirectly (such as through reinsurance arrangements) from any captive insurance Subsidiary of the insured Person, on behalf of the insured.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Law means any law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, writ, proclamation, judgment, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.
Liabilities means any and all Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations, whether accrued, fixed or contingent, mature or inchoate, known or unknown, reflected on a balance sheet or otherwise, including those arising under any Law, Action or any judgment of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitrator of any kind, and those arising under any Contract.
Licensing Agreement means that certain Licensing Agreement, dated and effective as of the Distribution Date, by and between Ashford Trust, Ashford Prime and Ashford Prime OP.
Losses means any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, interest costs, Taxes, fines and expenses (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments,
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settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder).
Nonqualifying Income means any amount that is treated as gross income for purposes of Section 856 of the Code and which is not Qualifying Income.
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
NYSE Listing Application has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).
Order means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, ruling, assessment, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any court or other Governmental Authority or arbitrator.
Option Agreements means, collectively, (i) that certain Option Agreement, entered into as of the Distribution Date, by Ashford Prime OP, Ashford Trust OP, Ashford Prime TRS and Ashford Trust TRS, granting Ashford Prime OP the option to acquire the equity interests in the entity that owns the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel and granting Ashford Prime TRS the option to purchase the equity interest in the entity that leases such hotel; and (ii) that certain Option Agreement, entered into as of the Distribution Date, by Ashford Prime OP, Ashford Trust OP, Ashford Prime TRS and Ashford Trust TRS, granting Ashford Prime OP the option to acquire the equity interests in the entity that owns the Pier House Resort and Spa and granting Ashford Prime TRS the option to purchase the equity interest in the entity that leases such hotel.
Party or Parties any one of, or collectively, the parties to this Agreement, as set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a union, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
Properties means those eight properties listed on Exhibit A , in which the Property and JV Entities have a direct or indirect ownership interest.
Property and JV Entities means those certain entities listed on Exhibit A which directly or indirectly, wholly or jointly, own the Properties and certain taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Property and JV Interests means the equity interests in the Property and JV Entities owned by Ashford Trust OP prior to the Contribution, which interests will be contributed to Ashford Prime pursuant to Section 2.2(a) .
Protected REIT means any entity that (i) has elected to be taxed as a REIT, and (ii) either (A) is an Indemnitee or (B) owns a direct or indirect equity interest in any Indemnitee and is treated for purposes of Section 856 of the Code as owning all or a portion of the assets of such Indemnitee or as receiving all or a portion of the Indemnitees income.
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Qualifying Income means gross income that is described in Section 856(c)(3) of the Code.
Record Date means the close of business on the date, to be determined by the board of directors of Ashford Trust, as the record date for determining holders of Ashford Trust Common Stock entitled to receive shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock in the Distribution.
Record Holders has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
Registration Rights Agreements means that certain registration rights agreement dated, and effective as of the Distribution Date, between Ashford Prime, Ashford Trust OP and Advisor and that certain registration rights agreement, dated and effective as of the Distribution Date, between Ashford Prime and each holder of Ashford Prime Common Units listed therein.
Registration Statement means the registration statement on Form 10 of Ashford Prime with respect to the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which effects the registration of the Ashford Prime Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
REIT means a real estate investment trust, as defined under the Code.
REIT Qualification Ruling has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
REIT Requirements means the requirements imposed on REITs pursuant to Sections 856 through and including 860 of the Code and the related U.S. Treasury regulations.
Release Document has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(h).
Right of First Offer Agreement means that certain Right of First Offer Agreement, dated and effective as of the Distribution Date, by and between Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime.
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Security Interests means any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, indenture, right to acquire, right of first refusal, deed of trust, licenses to third parties, leases to third parties, security agreements, voting or other restriction, covenant, condition, restriction, encroachment, restriction on transfer, restrictions or limitations on use of real or personal property or any other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, imperfections in or failure of title or defect of title.
Separation means the transactions contemplated by Article II.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization, or that
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otherwise constitutes control of such corporation or other organization, is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its subsidiaries.
Tax Contest has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
Tax Return means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement related to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
Taxes means all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts or other assessments imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign Taxing Authority, including, but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added and other taxes, and any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto.
Taxing Authority means any Governmental Authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).
Third-Party Claim has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b).
Transactions means the Separation, the Distribution and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
TRS Entities means those certain entities listed on Exhibit B that lease six of the Properties.
TRS Interests means the equity interests in the TRS Entities.
Section 1.2 Interpretation . In this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, if any, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular;
(b) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation;
(c) the word or shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase and/or;
(d) relative to the determination of any period of time, from means from and including, to means to but excluding and through means through and including;
(e) accounting terms used herein shall have the meanings historically ascribed to them by Ashford Trust and its Subsidiaries in its and their internal accounting and financial policies and procedures in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement;
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(f) reference to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and by this Agreement;
(g) reference to any Law means such Law (including any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect at the time of determining compliance or applicability;
(h) references to any Person include such Persons successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; a reference to such Persons Affiliates shall be deemed to mean such Persons Affiliates following the Distribution and any reference to a third party shall be deemed to mean a Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party;
(i) if there is any conflict between the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto or thereto, the provisions of the main body of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, shall control unless explicitly stated otherwise in such Schedule;
(j) if there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of such Ancillary Agreement shall control (but only with respect to the subject matter thereof) unless explicitly stated otherwise therein; and
(k) any portion of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement obligating a Party to take any action or refrain from taking any action, as the case may be, shall mean that such Party shall also be obligated to cause its relevant Subsidiaries to take such action or refrain from taking such action, as the case may be.
ARTICLE II
THE SEPARATION
Section 2.1 Reorganization . On the Effective Date, Ashford Trust TRS, the sole stockholder of Ashford Prime, agrees to effect a stock dividend of 100% of the outstanding Ashford Prime Common Stock to Ashford Trust OP, the sole stockholder of Ashford Trust TRS. Ashford Trust OP agrees to then immediately convey 100% of the Ashford Prime Common Stock to Ashford Trust in exchange for $1,000.
Section 2.2 Transfers of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities .
(a) Contribution of Property and JV Interests . On the Distribution Date, subject to Section 2.2(e), Ashford Trust OP agrees to contribute to Ashford Prime OP all of the Property and JV Interests, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances together with $6,049,000, and, in exchange, Ashford Prime OP agrees to issue such number, as determined by the formula set forth on Schedule 2.2(a) , of Ashford Prime Common Units to Ashford Trust OP and admit Ashford Trust OP as a limited partner of Ashford Prime OP. Any transfer, assignment and exchange by Ashford Trust OP effectuated pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) is intended to be governed by Section 721(a) of the Code. Ashford Trust OP and Ashford Prime OP agree to the tax treatment described in this Section 2.2(a), and Ashford Trust OP and Ashford
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Prime OP shall file their respective Tax Returns consistent with such treatment, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
(b) Distribution and Contribution of Ashford Prime Common Units . On the Distribution Date, the following events will occur: Ashford Trust OP agrees to distribute such number, as determined by the formula set forth on Schedule 2.2(b) Part 1 , of the Ashford Prime Common Units it received pursuant to Section 2.2(a) to the Ashford Trust OP limited partners, in accordance with the provisions of the limited partnership agreement of Ashford Trust OP. Ashford Prime agrees to cause Ashford OP Limited Partner LLC to distribute to Ashford Trust all of the Ashford Prime Common Units it receives, determined in accordance with the formula set forth in Schedule 2.2(b) Part 2 . Ashford Trust agrees to contribute to Ashford Prime 100% of the Ashford Prime Common Units it receives in such distribution, plus $139,293,520.87, which represents proceeds from the June 2013 equity offering by Ashford Trust (including the exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares), net of (i) underwriting discounts and (ii) the payment of a common stock dividend on the newly issued Ashford Trust shares, plus interim interest on such proceeds (plus any additional amounts earned on such amount by Ashford Trust between the date hereof and the Distribution Date). In exchange for the Ashford Prime Common Units and cash, Ashford Prime will issue 16,133,112 shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock to Ashford Trust. Ashford Prime further agrees to contribute the Ashford Prime Common Units and cash (and any other cash Ashford Prime has) to its wholly-owed subsidiary Ashford Prime OP Limited Partner LLC, which will, as directed by Ashford Prime, contribute the cash to Ashford Prime OP in exchange for Ashford Prime Common Units in an amount equal to 16,133,112 less the number of Ashford Prime Common Units set forth above contributed to Ashford Prime OP Limited Partner. Ashford Prime will redeem the original 100 shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock from Ashford Trust in exchange for a payment of $1,000 to Ashford Trust.
(c) Sale of TRS Interests . Subject to Section 2.2(e), following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in Section 2.2(a) and Section 2.2(b) but before the Distribution, Ashford TRS agrees to sell to Ashford Prime TRS, all of the TRS Interests held by Ashford TRS, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and in consideration for such sale, Ashford Prime TRS agrees to pay Ashford TRS $6,049,000.
(d) Assumption of Liabilities . Ashford Prime and Ashford Prime OP shall assume the obligations of Ashford Trust and Ashford Trust OP, respectively, arising from and after the Distribution Date under any and all Guarantees in favor of lenders, managers, franchisors or other third parties, relating to any Indebtedness or other Contract of the Property and JV Entities or their Subsidiaries (other than any Guarantees provided pursuant to the Ashford Trust Credit Agreement), as specifically set forth in Schedule 2.2(d) (the Assumed Guarantees ).
(e) Deferred Transfers and Assumptions .
(i) Nothing in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement will be deemed to require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities that by their terms or by operation of Law cannot be transferred or assumed.
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(ii) To the extent that any transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement is not consummated prior to the Effective Time as a result of an absence or non-satisfaction of any required Consent, Governmental Approval and/or other condition (such Assets or Liabilities, a Deferred Asset or a Deferred Liability , as applicable, and, collectively, a Deferred Asset or Liability ), the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such transfers or assumptions as promptly following the Effective Time as practicable. If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or other conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which gave rise to the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, are obtained or satisfied, the transfer or assumption of the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will be effected in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement, if any.
(iii) From and after the Effective Time until such time as the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability is transferred or assumed, as applicable, (A) the Party retaining such Deferred Asset will thereafter hold such Deferred Asset for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and (B) the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability will pay or reimburse the Party retaining such Deferred Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Deferred Liability; it being agreed that the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing clause (A) and clause (B), to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced or agreed in writing to be reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability. The Party retaining the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Party entitled to or intended to assume such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability of the need for such expenditure. In addition, the Party retaining such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability will, insofar as reasonably practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (A) treat such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) promptly take such other actions as may be requested by the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or by the Party intended to assume such Deferred Liability in order to place such Party in the same position as if the Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability had been transferred or assumed, as applicable, as contemplated hereby, and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and control over such Deferred Asset or Deferred Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to such Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability and (C) hold itself out to third parties as agent or nominee on behalf of the Party entitled to such Deferred Asset or intended to assume such Deferred Liability.
(iv) In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, each Party, as applicable, will be deemed to have acquired beneficial ownership of all of the Assets, together with all rights and privileges incident thereto, and will be deemed to have assumed all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, that such Party is entitled to acquire or intended to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement, if any.
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(v) The Parties agree to treat, for all tax purposes, any Asset or Liability that is not transferred or assumed prior to the Effective Time and which is subject to the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), as (A) owned by the Party to which such Asset was intended to be transferred or by the Party which was intended to assume such Liability, as the case may be, from and after the Effective Time, (B) having not been owned by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, at any time from and after the Effective Time, and (C) having been held by the Party retaining such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, only as agent or nominee on behalf of the other Party from and after the Effective Time until the date such Asset or Liability, as the case may be, is transferred to or assumed by such other Party. The Parties will not take any position inconsistent with the foregoing unless otherwise required by applicable Law (in which case, the Parties will provide indemnification for any Taxes attributable to the Asset or Liability during the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the date of the actual transfer).
(f) Instruments of Transfer and Assumption . The Parties agree that (i) transfers of the Property and JV Interests and the TRS Interests required by this Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferor to the transferee of certificates endorsed in blank or evidenced or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer endorsed in blank, against receipt or such other good and sufficient instruments of contribution, conveyance, assignment and transfer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, to vest in the designated transferee all of the title and ownership interest of the transferor in and to the Property and JV Interests and the TRS Interests, and (ii) the assumptions of Liabilities required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferee to the transferor of such good and sufficient instruments of assumption, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, as shall be necessary, in each case, for the assumption by the transferee of such Liabilities.
ARTICLE III
CERTAIN ACTIONS PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION
Section 3.1 SEC and Other Securities Filings .
(a) Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties have caused the Registration Statement to be prepared and filed with the SEC.
(b) The Parties have caused the Registration Statement to become effective.
(c) As soon as practicable on or after the Effective Date, Ashford Trust shall cause the Information Statement to be mailed to the Record Holders.
(d) The Parties shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective any other registration statements or amendments or supplements thereto that are necessary or appropriate in order to effect the Transactions, or to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit plans contemplated hereby.
(e) The Parties shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under state and foreign securities or blue sky Laws in connection with the Transactions.
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Section 3.2 NYSE Listing Application .
(a) The Parties have caused or shall cause an application for the listing on the NYSE of the Ashford Prime Common Stock to be issued to the Record Holders in the Distribution (the NYSE Listing Application ) to be prepared and filed.
(b) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the NYSE Listing Application approved, subject to official notice of issuance, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement.
(c) Ashford Trust shall give the NYSE notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.
Section 3.3 Distribution Agent Agreement . On or prior to the Distribution Date, Ashford Trust shall, if requested by the Distribution Agent, enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Distribution Agent.
Section 3.4 Governmental Approvals and Third-Party Consents . To the extent that any of the Transactions require any Governmental Approval or other third-party Consent, including without limitation, the waiver of any applicable right of first offer or right of first refusal with respect to any Property and JV Interests or any of the Properties, which has not been obtained prior to the date of this Agreement, the Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, such Governmental Approval or Consent prior to the Effective Time.
Section 3.5 Ancillary Agreements . Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause each applicable member of its Group to execute and deliver, as applicable, the Advisory Agreement, the Right of First Offer Agreement, the Option Agreements, the Ashford Prime Mutual Exclusivity Agreement, the Ashford Prime Hotel Master Management Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreements and the Licensing Agreement, each substantially in the form filed by Ashford Prime with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and such other written agreements, documents or instruments (collectively, the Ancillary Agreements ) as the Parties may agree are reasonably necessary or desirable to effect the Transactions.
Section 3.6 Governance Matters .
(a) Organizational Documents . On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary actions to (i) adopt the amended and restated partnership agreement of Ashford Prime OP, as well as each of the amended and restated articles of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws of Ashford Prime, each substantially in the forms filed by Ashford Prime with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement and (ii) amend the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Ashford Trust OP as necessary or appropriate to effect the Transactions.
(b) Officers and Directors . On or prior to the Distribution Date, the Parties shall take all necessary action so that, as of the Distribution Date, the officers and directors of Ashford Prime will be as set forth in the Information Statement.
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ARTICLE IV
THE DISTRIBUTION
Section 4.1 Delivery to Distribution Agent . Subject to Section 5.1, on or prior to the Distribution Date, Ashford Trust will authorize the Distribution Agent, for the benefit of holders of record of Ashford Trust Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date (the Record Holders ), to effect the book-entry transfer of all outstanding shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock and will instruct the Distribution Agent to effect the Distribution at the Effective Time in the manner set forth in Section 4.2.
Section 4.2 Mechanics of the Distribution .
(a) On the Distribution Date, Ashford Trust will direct the Distribution Agent to distribute, effective as of the Effective Time, to each Record Holder, one share of Ashford Prime Common Stock for every five shares of Ashford Trust Common Stock held by such Record Holder on the Record Date (the Distribution Ratio ). All such shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock to be so distributed shall be distributed as uncertificated shares registered in book-entry form through the direct registration system. No certificates therefor shall be distributed. Following the Distribution, Ashford Trust shall cause the Distribution Agent to deliver an account statement to each holder of Ashford Prime Common Stock reflecting such holders ownership thereof. All of the shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock distributed in the Distribution will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Ashford Trust, the Distribution Agent, or any Person that is a withholding agent under applicable Law shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration distributable or payable hereunder the amounts required to be deducted and withheld under the Code, or any provision of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law. Any amounts so withheld shall be paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority in the manner prescribed by Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Persons in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
Section 4.3 Fractional Shares .
(a) Ashford Trust will direct the Distribution Agent, as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, to (i) determine the number of whole shares and fractional shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock allocable to each Record Holder, (ii) aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby in open market transactions or otherwise as determined by the Distribution Agent at then prevailing trading prices on behalf of Record Holders that would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests, and (iii) distribute to each such Record Holder, or for the benefit of each beneficial owner of fractional shares, such Record Holder or beneficial owners ratable share of the net proceeds of such sales, based upon the weighted average gross selling price per share of Ashford Prime Common Stock after making appropriate deductions for any amount required to be withheld under applicable Law and less any applicable transfer, stock transfer, stamp or similar Taxes. Ashford Prime will be responsible for payment of any brokerage fees associated with such sales. No member of the
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Ashford Trust Group or the Ashford Prime Group or the Distribution Agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock. Neither Ashford Trust nor Ashford Prime will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of such shares.
(b) If the aggregation of fractional shares results in a remaining fractional share, Ashford Prime OP will redeem from Ashford Prime OP Limited Partner LLC for cash at a price equal to the weighted average gross selling price per share of Ashford Prime Common Stock received by the Distribution Agent such amount of fractional Ashford Prime Common Units as necessary such that after the Transactions are complete the number of shares of Ashford Prime outstanding exactly equal the number of Ashford Prime Common Units owned by Ashford Prime OP Limited Partner LLC. Ashford Prime OP Limited Partner LLC will distribute such redemption proceeds to Ashford Prime which will distribute any such proceeds to Ashford Trust in redemption of the like number of fractional shares of Ashford Prime Common Stock, and Ashford Trust will pay such proceeds to the Distribution Agent for payment as cash in lieu of fractional shares of Ashford Prime.
Section 4.4 2013 Ashford Prime Equity Incentive Plan . Each of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime intends that, subsequent to the Distribution, Ashford Prime shall establish, or shall cause to be established, one or more equity incentive or similar plans that will allow or provide for the issuance of restricted stock or other equity-based awards on such terms, and subject to such conditions (including, without limitation, as to eligibility, vesting and performance criteria), as Ashford Prime has described in the Information Statement.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTION CONDITIONS
Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution . The Distribution shall not be effected unless and until the following conditions have been satisfied or waived by Ashford Trust, in its sole and absolute discretion, at or before the Effective Time:
(a) the board of directors of Ashford Trust shall have declared the Distribution, which declaration may be made or withheld at its sole and absolute discretion;
(b) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC, with no stop order in effect with respect thereto, and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before, or threatened by, the SEC;
(c) Ashford Trust shall have mailed the Information Statement (and such other information concerning Ashford Prime, the Distribution and such other matters as the Parties shall determine and as may otherwise be required by Law) to the Record Holders;
(d) all other actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable federal or state securities Laws and state blue sky Laws in connection with the Transactions shall have been taken;
(e) Ashford Trust shall have obtained an opinion from Andrews Kurth LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ashford Trust, to the effect that, commencing with Ashford Trusts initial taxable year that ended on December 31, 2003, Ashford Trust has
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been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date of such opinion letter has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;
(f) Ashford Prime shall have obtained an opinion from Andrews Kurth LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ashford Prime, to the effect that, commencing with Ashford Primes initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2013, Ashford Prime has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT;
(g) Ashford Trust shall not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(h) Ashford Prime shall not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(i) the NYSE shall have approved the NYSE Listing Application, subject to official notice of issuance;
(j) each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto and no party to any of the Ancillary Agreements will be in material breach of any such agreement;
(k) any material Governmental Approvals and other third-party Consents necessary to consummate the Transactions or any portion thereof shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect;
(l) to the extent the equity interest in Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP or any Subsidiaries of such entities are subject to any pledge, guaranty or other obligation in favor of Keybanc Capital Markets or Keybank, National Association, pursuant to the Ashford Trust Credit Agreement, each and every such pledge, guaranty or other obligation shall have been released (exclusive of any equity interest in Ashford Prime OP owned by Ashford Trust OP following the completion of the Separation and Distribution);
(m) the consummation of the Transactions shall not cause Ashford Trust OP or Ashford Trust to breach any material covenants under the Ashford Trust Credit Agreement;
(n) The Separation shall have been completed in accordance with Article II and Ashford Prime or Ashford Prime OP shall have assumed all of the Assumed Guarantees;
(o) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree, or ruling issued by a Governmental Authority, and no statute (as interpreted through orders or rules of any Governmental Authority duly authorized to effectuate the statute), rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any Governmental Authority shall be in effect preventing the consummation of, or materially limiting the benefits of, the Transactions; and
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(p) no other event or development shall have occurred or failed to occur that, in the judgment of the board of directors of Ashford Trust, in its sole discretion, prevents the consummation of the Transactions or any portion thereof or makes the consummation of the Transactions inadvisable.
Section 5.2 Right Not to Close . Each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 is for the benefit of Ashford Trust and the Ashford Trust Group, and the board of directors of Ashford Trust may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any condition, in whole or in part. Any determination made by the board of directors of Ashford Trust concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions in Section 5.1 will be conclusive and binding on the Parties. The satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 will not create any obligation on the part of Ashford Trust to any other Person to effect any of the Transactions or in any way limit Ashford Trusts right to terminate this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as set forth in Section 11.1 or alter the consequences of any termination from those specified in Section 11.2.
ARTICLE VI
NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES
Section 6.1 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH PARTY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER MEMBER OF ITS GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO (A) THE ASSETS, INTERESTS OR LIABILITIES CONTRIBUTED, TRANSFERRED, DISTRIBUTED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (B) ANY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH, (C) THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF ANY PARTY, (D) THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR (E) THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY CONTRIBUTION, SALE, DISTRIBUTION, ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT, CERTIFICATE OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF.
Section 6.2 As Is, Where Is . ASHFORD PRIME GROUP UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT THE ASHFORD PRIME ASSETS AND ASHFORD PRIME LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT ARE BEING TRANSFERRED AS IS, WHERE IS, AND WITH ALL FAULTS, AND NO PARTY HAS MADE, NOR IS ANY PARTY LIABLE FOR OR BOUND IN ANY MANNER BY ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, PROMISES, STATEMENTS, INDUCEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE ASHFORD PRIME ASSETS OR ASHFORD PRIME LIABILITIES OR ANY PART THEREOF, THE PHYSICAL OR STRUCTURAL
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CONDITION, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION, COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING CODES OR LAWS, INCOME, EXPENSES OR OPERATION THEREOF, THE USES WHICH CAN BE MADE OF THE SAME OR ANY OTHER MATTER OR THING WITH RESPECT THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ASHFORD PRIME GROUP ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, OTHER THAN A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ASHFORD TRUST GROUP IS NOT LIABLE FOR OR BOUND BY (AND ASHFORD PRIME GROUP HAS NOT RELIED UPON) ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, OR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERTAINING TO THE OPERATION OF THE ASHFORD PRIME ASSETS OR ASHFORD PRIME LIABILITIES. ASHFORD PRIME GROUP FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES, AGREES, AND REPRESENTS THAT, OTHER THAN A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, IT SHALL BE PURCHASING THE ASHFORD PRIME ASSETS IN AN AS IS WHERE IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPERTIES, THE PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES, THE FIRE-LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND THE FURNITURE, FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT LOCATED THEREON OR ATTACHED THERETO, AND ASHFORD PRIME GROUP HEREBY RELEASES ASHFORD TRUST GROUP AND THEIR AFFILIATES FROM ANY AND ALL OBLIGATIONS, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, SUITS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DAMAGES, JUDGMENTS, COSTS AND EXPENSES RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING.
ARTICLE VII
CERTAIN COVENANTS AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 7.1 Insurance Matters . Prior to the Distribution Date, Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain separate Insurance Policies for Ashford Prime on substantially similar terms as the currently existing Insurance Policies related to director and officer liability at Ashford Trust (it being understood that Ashford Prime shall be responsible for all premiums, costs and fees associated with any new insurance policies placed for the benefit of Ashford Prime pursuant to this Section 7.1.
Ashford Trust agrees to give Ashford Prime prompt notice of any fire or other casualty to a Property or any notice it receives of any taking by condemnation of any part of or rights appurtenant to a Property occurring between the Effective Date and the Distribution Date. If, prior to the Effective Time, a Property is damaged by fire or other casualty, Ashford Trust shall assign to Ashford Prime at the Closing all of Ashford Trusts interest in any insurance proceeds that may be payable to Ashford Trust on account of any such fire or other casualty, to the extent such proceeds have not been previously expended or are otherwise required to reimburse Ashford Trust for actual expenditures of restoration. With respect to any condemnation of any part of or rights appurtenant to a Property, Ashford Trust shall assign to Ashford Prime all of Ashford Trusts interest in any condemnation award which may be payable to Ashford Trust on account of any such condemnation.
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Section 7.2 Tax Matters .
(a) Taxability of Distribution . The Parties acknowledge that the Distribution is a taxable distribution under Section 301 of the Code, and the Parties shall not take any position on any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign Tax return that is inconsistent with such treatment.
(b) Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime REIT Status .
(i) Ashford Trust has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause Ashford Prime to fail to qualify as a REIT, including a failure to qualify as a REIT due to Ashford Trusts failure to maintain REIT status.
(ii) Subject to Section 7.2(b)(iii), Ashford Trust shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Ashford Prime as necessary to enable Ashford Prime to qualify for taxation as a REIT and receive customary legal opinions concerning Ashford Primes qualification and taxation as a REIT, including by providing information and representations to Ashford Prime and its tax counsel with respect to the composition of Ashford Trusts income and Assets, the composition of the holders of stock of Ashford Trust and Ashford Trusts organization, operation, and qualification as a REIT.
(iii) Ashford Trust shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of its taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2014, unless Ashford Trust obtains an opinion from a nationally recognized tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS, on which Ashford Prime can rely, substantially to the effect that Ashford Trusts failure to maintain its REIT status will not prevent Ashford Prime from making a valid REIT election for any taxable year, or otherwise cause Ashford Prime to fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT for any taxable year, pursuant to Section 856(g)(3) of the Code.
(iv) Ashford Prime shall use its reasonable best efforts to qualify for taxation as a REIT for its taxable year ending December 31, 2013.
Section 7.3 Restrictions on Post-Closing Competitive Activities; Corporate Opportunities .
(a) Each of the Parties agrees that the Advisory Agreement and the Right of First Offer Agreement shall include certain restrictive arrangements with respect to the range of business activities that may be conducted, or investments that may be made, by Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime following the Distribution. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that, subject to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Right of First Offer Agreement, the business activities of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime and their respective Subsidiaries may overlap or compete with the business of such other entity. Subject to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Right of First Offer Agreement, each Group shall have the right to, and shall have no duty to abstain from exercising such right to, (i) engage or invest, directly or indirectly, in the same, similar or related business activities or lines of business as the other Group, (ii) make investments in the same or similar types of investments as the other Group, (iii) do business with any client, customer, vendor or lessor of any of the other Group or (iv) employ or
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otherwise engage any officer, director or employee of the other Group. Neither Party or Group, nor any officer or director thereof, shall be liable to the other Party or Group or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any such activities of such Party or Group or of any such Persons participation therein.
(b) Except as Ashford Trust and each other member of the Ashford Trust Group, on the one hand, and Ashford Prime and each other member of the Ashford Prime Group, on the other hand, may otherwise agree in writing, the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that in the event that a director or officer of either Group who is also a director or officer of the other Group acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, if (i) such Person acts in good faith and (ii) such knowledge of such potential transaction or matter was not obtained solely in connection with, or such corporate opportunity was not offered to such Person solely in, such Persons capacity as director or officer of either Group, then (A) such director or officer, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (1) shall be deemed to have fully satisfied and fulfilled such Persons fiduciary duty to each Group and their stockholders with respect to such corporate opportunity, (2) shall not have or be under any fiduciary duty to either Group or their stockholders and shall not be liable to either Group or their stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof by reason of the fact that the other Group pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity for itself, or directs, recommends, sells, assigns or otherwise transfers the corporate opportunity to another Person, or either Group or such director or officer does not present, offer or communicate information regarding the corporate opportunity to the other Group, (3) shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believes to be in, and not opposed to, the best interests of each Group and its stockholders and (4) shall not have any duty of loyalty to the other Group and its stockholders or any duty not to derive any personal benefit therefrom and shall not be liable to the other Group or its stockholders for any breach or alleged breach thereof and (B) such potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity, or the corporate opportunity, shall belong to the applicable Group (and not to the other Group); provided, in each instance, such director or officer complies with the applicable provision of the Advisory Agreement and/or the Right of First Offer Agreement.
(c) For the purposes of this Section 7.3, corporate opportunities of a Group shall include business opportunities that such Group are financially able to undertake, that are, by their nature, in a line of business of such Group, are of practical advantage to it and are ones in which any member of the Group has an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of a Person or any of its officers or directors will be brought into conflict with that of such Group.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE
Section 8.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information .
(a) Except in the case of any adversarial Action or threatened adversarial Action related to this Agreement by any member of either the Ashford Trust Group or the Ashford Prime Group against any member of the other Group (which will be governed by such discovery rules as may be applicable thereto), and subject to Section 9.1(b), as soon as
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reasonably practicable after written request: (i) Ashford Trust shall afford to any member of the Ashford Prime Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the Ashford Prime Groups expense provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the Ashford Trust Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the Ashford Prime Group or the Ashford Prime Assets and (ii) Ashford Prime shall afford to any member of the Ashford Trust Group and their authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to, or, at the Ashford Trust Groups expense, provide copies of, all books, records, Contracts, instruments, data, documents and other information in the possession or under the control of any member of the Ashford Prime Group immediately following the Distribution Date that relates to any member of the Ashford Trust Group or the Ashford Trust Assets; provided , however , that in the event that Ashford Prime or Ashford Trust, as applicable, determine that any such provision of or access to any information in response to a request under this Section 8.1(a) would be commercially detrimental in any material respect, violate any Law or agreement or waive any attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or other applicable privilege, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit compliance with such request in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence; provided , further , that to the extent specific information or knowledge-sharing provisions are contained in any of the Ancillary Agreements, such other provisions (and not this Section 8.1(a)) shall govern.
(b) If any party determines that the exchange of any information pursuant to Section 8.1(a) is reasonably likely to violate any Law or binding agreement, or waive or jeopardize any attorney-client privilege, or attorney work product protection, such party will not be required to provide access to or furnish such information to the other party; provided, however, that the parties will take all reasonable measures to permit compliance with Section 8.1(a) in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime intend that any provisions of access to or the furnishing of information that would otherwise be within the ambit of any legal privilege will not operate as a waiver of such privilege.
(c) After the Effective Time, each of Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime will maintain in effect systems and controls reasonably intended to enable the members of the other Group to satisfy their respective known reporting, accounting, disclosure, audit, contractual and other obligations.
Section 8.2 Ownership of Information . Any information owned by any Person that is provided pursuant to Section 8.1(a) shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Person. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to grant or confer rights of license or otherwise to the requesting Person with respect to any such information.
Section 8.3 Compensation for Providing Information . A Person requesting information pursuant to Section 8.1(a) agrees to reimburse the providing Person for the reasonable expenses, if any, of gathering and copying such information, to the extent that such expenses are incurred for the benefit of the requesting Person.
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Section 8.4 Retention of Records . To facilitate the exchange of information pursuant to this Article VIII and other provisions of this Agreement from and after the Effective Time, the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to retain, or cause to be retained, all information in their, or any member of their Groups, respective possession or control on the Distribution Date in accordance with the record retention policies and procedures of Ashford Trust as in effect on the Distribution Date or as modified in good faith thereafter, provided , that to the extent any Ancillary Agreement provides for a longer retention period for certain information, that longer period will control. No Party will destroy, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to destroy, any information that another Party may have the right to obtain pursuant to this Agreement before the end of the period provided in the applicable record retention policy without first using its reasonable best efforts to notify such other Party of the proposed destruction and giving such other Party the opportunity to take possession of that information before it is destroyed.
Section 8.5 Limitation of Liability . No Person required to provide information under this Article VIII shall have any liability (a) if any historical information provided pursuant to this Article VIII is found to be inaccurate, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such Person, or (b) if any information is lost or destroyed despite using commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of Section 8.4.
Section 8.6 Production of Witnesses . At all times from and after the Distribution Date, upon reasonable request:
(a) Ashford Prime shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the Ashford Trust Group, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the Ashford Prime Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the Ashford Prime Group is adverse to any member of the Ashford Trust Group; and
(b) Ashford Trust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available, or cause to be made available, to any member of the Ashford Prime Group, the directors, officers, employees and agents of any member of the Ashford Trust Group as witnesses to the extent that the same may reasonably be required by the requesting party (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with any legal, administrative or other proceeding in which the requesting party may from time to time be involved, except in the case of any action, suit or proceeding in which any member of the Ashford Trust Group is adverse to any member of the Ashford Prime Group.
(c) The requesting Party will bear all out-of-pocket costs and expenses that the other Party incurs in connection with a request under this Section 8.6.
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Section 8.7 Confidentiality .
(a) Each of Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Prime TRS (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) and each of Ashford Trust, Ashford Trust OP and Ashford Trust TRS (on behalf of itself and each other member of its Group) shall hold, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to hold, and each of the foregoing shall cause their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, and not to disclose or release or use, for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, if any, any and all Confidential Information concerning any member of the other Group without the prior written consent of such member of the other Group; provided , that each Party and the members of its Group may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such Confidential Information (i) to other members of their Group and their respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors (including the Advisor) who have a need to know such information for purposes of performing services for a member of such Group and who are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, such Party will be responsible, (ii) if it or any of its Affiliates are required or compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, or (iii) as necessary in order to permit such Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) above, the Party requested to disclose Confidential Information concerning a member of the other Group, shall promptly notify such member of the other Group of the existence of such request or demand and, to the extent commercially practicable, shall provide such member of the other Group thirty (30) days (or such lesser period as is commercially practicable) to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which the Parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party that is required to disclose Confidential Information about a member of the Group shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that confidential treatment is accorded such information.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied their obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information of any member of the other Group if they exercise the same degree of care (but no less than a reasonable degree of care) as they exercise to preserve confidentiality for their own similar Confidential Information. A Partys obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information shall not apply to any Confidential Information that (i) was or becomes generally available to the public, (ii) was or becomes available to such Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the other Party (but only if such source is not, to the knowledge of such Party, bound by a confidentiality agreement with the other Party), or (iii) was or is hereafter developed by such Party without using or relying on any of the Confidential Information.
(c) Upon the written request of a Party or a member of its Group, the other Party shall take, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to take, reasonable steps to
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promptly (i) deliver to the requesting Person all original copies of Confidential Information (whether written or electronic) concerning the requesting Person or any member of its Group that is in the possession of the other Party or any member of its Group and (ii) if specifically requested by the requesting Person, destroy any copies of such Confidential Information (including any extracts therefrom), unless such delivery or destruction would violate any Law; provided , that the other Party shall not be obligated to destroy Confidential Information that is required by or relates to the business of the other Party or any member of its Group.
Section 8.8 Privileged Matters .
(a) Pre-Distribution Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of the Parties and their Affiliates, and that each of the Parties should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-Distribution services for the purposes of asserting all privileges that may be asserted under applicable Law.
(b) Post-Distribution Services . The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time that will be rendered solely for the benefit of Ashford Prime and its Affiliates or Ashford Trust and its Affiliates, as the case may be. With respect to such post-Distribution services, the Parties agree as follows:
(i) Ashford Trust shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the Ashford Trust Assets, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime. Ashford Trust shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Ashford Trust Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the Ashford Trust Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime; and
(ii) Ashford Prime shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the Ashford Prime Assets, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime. Ashford Prime shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Ashford Prime Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated by or against any member of the Ashford Prime Group, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Ashford Trust or Ashford Prime.
(c) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 8.8, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Section 8.8(b). None of Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP or Ashford Prime TRS may waive, and Ashford Prime shall cause each other member of the
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Ashford Prime Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the Ashford Trust Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the Ashford Trust Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of Ashford Trust, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or as provided in Section 8.8(d) or Section 8.8(e) below. None of Ashford Trust, Ashford Trust OP or Ashford Trust TRS may waive, and Ashford Trust shall cause each other member of the Ashford Trust Group not to waive, any privilege that could be asserted by a member of the Ashford Prime Group under any applicable Law, and in which a member of the Ashford Prime Group has a shared privilege, without the consent of Ashford Prime, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or as provided in Section 8.8(d) or Section 8.8(e) below.
(d) In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among Ashford Prime and Ashford Trust, or any members of their respective Groups, the Parties may waive a privilege in which a member of the other Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining the consent from any other party; provided , that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the relevant Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to third parties.
(e) If a dispute arises between or among Ashford Prime and Ashford Trust, or any members of their respective Groups, regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of a Party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of such party and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by such party. Each Party agrees that it will not withhold consent to waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of any other member of its Group.
(f) Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request which requires the production or disclosure of information which such Party knows is subject to a shared privilege or as to which a member of the other Group has the sole right hereunder to assert or waive a privilege, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any other member of its Groups current or former directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests which requires the production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 8.8 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.
(g) The access to information being granted pursuant to Section 8.1, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Section 8.6 hereof, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and the members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements or otherwise.
Section 8.9 Financial Information Certifications . The Parties agree to cooperate with each other in such manner as is necessary to enable the principal executive officer
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or officers, principal financial officer or officers and controller or controllers of each of the Parties to make the certifications required of them under Sections 302, 404 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1 Tax Returns . The following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility and payment of Taxes as between Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Trust OP for certain Tax matters following the Distribution Date:
(a) Ashford Trust OP shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed, subject to the review and reasonable approval of Ashford Prime OP, all Tax Returns for each of the Property and JV Entities, the TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, as applicable, for all periods ending on or prior to the Distribution Date that are required to be filed after the Distribution Date. Ashford Prime OP hereby recognizes Ashford Trust OPs authority and the authority of the officers of the TRS Entities to execute and file, on behalf of each of the Property and JV Entities and the TRS Entities, all such Tax Returns (and agrees to take all action necessary to ensure such authorization in conformity with applicable Law and principles of good governance generally). To the extent not otherwise paid by Ashford Trust OP to the appropriate taxing authority, Ashford Trust OP shall reimburse Ashford Prime OP for Taxes of the relevant Property and JV Entity or TRS Entity with respect to all such Tax Returns within fifteen (15) Business Days after payment by Ashford Prime OP and/or the Property and JV Entities or TRS Entities of such Taxes. All such Tax Returns shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with the past custom and practice of the Property and JV Entities or TRS Entity, as applicable, except as required by a change in applicable Law.
(b) Ashford Prime OP shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed, subject to the review and reasonable approval of Ashford Trust OP, any Tax Returns of any of the Property and JV Entities and TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, as applicable, for Tax periods which begin before the Distribution Date and end after the Distribution Date. Ashford Trust OP shall pay to Ashford Prime OP, within fifteen (15) Business Days before the date on which Taxes are to be paid with respect to such periods, an amount equal to the portion of such Taxes which relates to the portion of such Tax period ending on the Distribution Date. For purposes of this Section 9.1(b), in the case of any Taxes that are imposed on a periodic basis and are payable for a Tax period that includes (but does not end on) the Distribution Date, the portion of such Tax which relates to the portion of such Tax period ending on the Distribution Date shall (x) in the case of any Taxes other than Taxes based upon or related to income, gains or receipts (including sales and use taxes), or employment or payroll Taxes, be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire Tax period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the Tax period ending on the Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire Tax period, and (y) in the case of any Tax based upon or related to income, gains or receipts (including sales and use taxes), or employment or payroll Taxes, be deemed equal to the amount which would be payable if the relevant Tax period ended on the Distribution Date. Any credits relating to a Tax period that begins before and ends after the Distribution Date shall be taken into account as though the relevant Tax period ended on the Distribution Date. All determinations necessary to give effect
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to the foregoing allocations shall be made in a manner consistent with reasonable prior practice of the Property and JV Entities or the TRS Entities, as applicable.
(c) Ashford Prime OP shall prepare and cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all other Tax Returns of any of the Property and JV Entities or TRS Entities.
Section 9.2 Cooperation . The Parties agree (i) to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Property and JV Entities and the TRS Entities and their respective assets or business relating to any taxable period beginning before the Distribution Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by any member of the Ashford Prime Group, any extensions thereof) of the respective Tax periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any taxing authority, and (ii) to give Ashford Prime reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and records and, if Ashford Prime so requests, Ashford Trust shall allow Ashford Prime to take possession of such books and records at Ashford Prime expense.
Section 9.3 Transfer Taxes . All sales, use and transfer taxes, bulk transfer taxes, deed taxes, conveyance fees, documentary and recording charges and similar taxes imposed as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, together with any interest, penalties or additions to such transfer taxes or attributable to any failure to comply with any requirement regarding Tax Returns ( Transfer Taxes ), shall be paid by Ashford Prime OP. Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Trust OP shall cooperate in filing all necessary Tax Returns under applicable Law with respect to Transfer Taxes.
Section 9.4 Tax Contests . Ashford Prime shall inform Ashford Trust of the commencement of any audit, examination or proceeding ( Tax Contest ) relating in whole or in part to Taxes for which any member of the Ashford Prime Group may be entitled to indemnity from any member of the Ashford Trust Group hereunder. With respect to any Tax Contest listed on Schedule 9.4 and any other Tax Contest for which Ashford Trust acknowledges in writing that any member of the Ashford Trust Group is liable under Article X for any and all Losses relating thereto, the Ashford Trust Group shall be entitled to control, in good faith, all proceedings taken in connection with such Tax Contest; provided, however, that (x) Ashford Trust shall promptly notify Ashford Prime in writing of its intention to control such Tax Contest, (y) in the case of a Tax Contest relating to Taxes of any of the Property and JV Entities, the TRS Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries for a Tax period that includes but does not end on the Distribution Date, Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime shall jointly control all proceedings taken in connection with any such Tax Contest and (z) if any Tax Contest could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on any member of the Ashford Prime Group, or any of their Affiliates in any Tax period beginning after the Distribution Date, the Tax Contest shall not be settled or resolved without Ashford Primes consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if notice is given to Ashford Trust of the commencement of any Tax Contest and Ashford Trust does not, within ten (10) Business Days after Ashford Primes notice is given, give notice to Ashford Prime of its election to assume the defense thereof (and in connection therewith, acknowledge in writing the indemnification obligation hereunder of Ashford Trust OP), each member of the Ashford Trust Group shall be bound by any determination made in such Tax Contest or any compromise or settlement thereof effected by Ashford Prime. The failure of Ashford Prime to give reasonably prompt notice of
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any Tax Contest shall not release, waive or otherwise affect Ashford Trusts obligation with respect thereto except to the extent that Ashford Trust can demonstrate actual loss and prejudice as a result of such failure. Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Prime TRS shall use their reasonable efforts to provide Ashford Trust OP with such assistance as may be reasonably requested by Ashford Trust in connection with a Tax Contest controlled solely or jointly by Ashford Trust.
Section 9.5 Ad Valorem Tax Refunds . Any refund of ad valorem Taxes with respect to the Properties for periods ending on or before the Distribution Date shall be for the benefit of Ashford Prime OP and the relevant member of the Ashford Prime Group, and Ashford Trust OP shall have no entitlement thereto. If Ashford Trust OP receives any refund of ad valorem Taxes with respect to the Properties, Ashford Trust OP shall pay to Ashford Prime OP the full amount of such refund within five (5) Business Days.
ARTICLE X
MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 10.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .
(a) Except as provided in Section 10.1(c), effective as of the Effective Time, Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Prime TRS each does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Ashford Prime Group, release and forever discharge each Ashford Trust Indemnitee, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the Ashford Prime Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether known or unknown, whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.1(c), effective as of the Effective Time, Ashford Trust, Ashford Trust OP and Ashford Trust TRS each does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Ashford Trust Group, release and forever discharge each Ashford Prime Indemnitee from any and all Liabilities whatsoever to any member of the Ashford Trust Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether known or unknown, whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed at or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the Transactions.
(c) Nothing contained in Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in, or contemplated to continue pursuant to, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained in Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(b) shall release any Person from:
(i) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed by, or allocated to, such Person in accordance with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;
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(ii) any Liability that such Person may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement for claims brought by third-party Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article X and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements, if any; or
(iii) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than an Indemnitee; provided, that the Parties agree not to bring suit, or permit any other member of their respective Group to bring suit, against any Indemnitee with respect to such Liability.
(d) None of Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP or Ashford Prime TRS shall make, or shall permit any other member of the Ashford Prime Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or indemnification, against any Ashford Trust Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 10.1(a). None of Ashford Trust, Ashford Trust OP or Ashford Trust TRS shall make, and shall permit any member of the Ashford Trust Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against any Ashford Prime Indemnitee with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 10.1(b).
Section 10.2 Indemnification by Ashford Prime . Except as provided in Section 10.4 and Section 10.5, Ashford Prime, Ashford Prime OP and Ashford Prime TRS shall, and cause each Appropriate Member of the Ashford Prime Group to, jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the Ashford Trust Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the Ashford Trust Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):
(a) any obligations arising pursuant to the Ashford Prime Liabilities, including the failure of any member of the Ashford Prime Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Ashford Prime Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, at or after the Effective Time;
(b) any breach by any member of the Ashford Prime Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and
(c) the Assumed Guarantees;
in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date, provided , however , that: (i) no member of the Ashford Prime Group shall have any obligation under this Article X to indemnify any member of the
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Ashford Trust Group against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the Ashford Prime Common Units, (B) a breach of this Agreement by a member of the Ashford Trust Group or the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of any member of the Ashford Trust Group or (C) the operation of the business of the Ashford Trust Group, including the Property and JV Entities, the TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, or the ownership and operation of the Properties for the period prior to the Distribution Date. As used in this Section 10.2, Appropriate Member of the Ashford Prime Group means the member or members of the Ashford Prime Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.
Section 10.3 Indemnification by Ashford Trust . Except as provided in Section 10.4 and Section 10.5, Ashford Trust, Ashford Trust OP and Ashford Trust TRS shall, and shall cause each Appropriate Member of the Ashford Trust Group to, jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Ashford Prime Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses of the Ashford Prime Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):
(a) any Ashford Trust Liability, including the failure of any member of the Ashford Trust Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Ashford Trust Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time;
(b) any obligations arising pursuant to the Ashford Prime Liabilities, including the failure of any member of the Ashford Trust Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Ashford Prime Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, prior to the Effective Time;
(c) any breach by any member of the Ashford Trust Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and
(d) (i) all Taxes (other than Transfer Taxes) of the Property and JV Entities and the TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries for all Tax periods ending on or before the Distribution Date, (ii) with respect to any Tax period including but not ending on the Distribution Date, all Taxes (other than Transfer Taxes) of the Property and JV Entities and the TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries attributable to the portion of such Tax period that ends on and includes the Distribution Date, and (iii) all Taxes (other than Transfer Taxes) of any Person imposed on the Property and JV Entities and the TRS Entities or their respective Subsidiaries as a transferee or successor, by contract or pursuant to any Law (including, but not limited to, Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 and V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Chapter 171) with respect to obligations or relationships existing on or prior to the Distribution Date or by agreements entered into or transactions entered into on or prior to the Distribution Date;
in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss
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existed prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; provided, however, no member of the Ashford Trust Group shall have any obligation under this Article X to indemnify any member of the Ashford Prime Group against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the Properties, (B) a breach of this Agreement by a member of the Ashford Prime Group or the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of any member of the Ashford Prime Group or (C) the operation of the business of the Ashford Prime Group, the Property and JV Entities, the TRS Entities and their respective Subsidiaries, or the ownership and operation of the Properties for the period after and including the Distribution Date. As used in this Section 10.3, Appropriate Member of the Ashford Trust Group means the member or members of the Ashford Trust Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.
Section 10.4 Procedures for Indemnification .
(a) An Indemnitee shall give notice of any matter that such Indemnitee has determined has given or would reasonably be expected to give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than a Third-Party Claim which shall be governed by Section 10.4(b)) to any Party that is or may be required pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to make such indemnification (the Indemnifying Party ) promptly (and in any event within fifteen (15) days) after making such a determination. Such notice shall state the amount of the Loss claimed, if known, and method of computation thereof, and contain a reference to the provisions of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnitee; provided , however , that the failure to provide such notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.
(b) If a claim or demand is made against an Indemnitee by any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a Party (a Third-Party Claim ) as to which such Indemnitee is or reasonably expects to be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third-Party Claim promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third-Party Claim; provided , however , that the failure to provide notice of any such Third-Party Claim pursuant to this sentence shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party or Parties shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third-Party Claim during the period in which the Indemnitee failed to give such notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) days) after the Indemnitees receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim.
(c) An Indemnifying Party shall be entitled (but shall not be required) to assume, control the defense of, and settle any Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Partys own cost and expense and by such Indemnifying Partys own counsel, which counsel must be
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reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee, if it gives written notice of its intention to do so (including a statement that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Article X) to the applicable Indemnitees within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice from such Indemnitees of the Third-Party Claim (failure of the Indemnifying Party to respond within such thirty (30) day period shall be deemed to be an election by the Indemnifying Party not to assume the defense for such Third-Party Claim). After a notice from an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, at its own expense and, in any event, shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party all witnesses and information in such Indemnitees possession or under such Indemnitees control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party; provided , however , that such access shall not require the Indemnitee to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnitee, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.4, in the event that (i) an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, (ii) there exists a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnitee, (iii) any Third-Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee, (iv) the Indemnitees exposure to Liability in connection with such Third-Party Claim is reasonably expected to exceed the Indemnifying Partys exposure in respect of such Third-Party Claim taking into account the indemnification obligations hereunder, or (v) the Person making such Third-Party Claim is a Governmental Authority with regulatory authority over the Indemnitee or any of its material Assets, such Indemnitee shall be entitled to control the defense of such Third-Party Claim, at the Indemnifying Partys expense, with counsel of such Indemnitees choosing (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party). If the Indemnitee is conducting the defense against any such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee all witnesses and information in such Indemnifying Partys possession or under such Indemnifying Partys control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnitee; provided , however , that such access shall not require the Indemnifying Party to disclose any information the disclosure of which would, in the good faith judgment of the Indemnifying Party, result in the loss of any existing privilege with respect to such information or violate any applicable Law.
(e) Unless the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If an Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third-Party Claim, it shall not be a defense to any obligation to pay any amount in respect of such Third-Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party was not consulted in the defense thereof, that such Indemnifying Partys views or opinions as to the conduct of such defense were not accepted or adopted, that such Indemnifying Party does not approve of the quality or manner of the defense thereof or that such Third-Party Claim was incurred by reason of a settlement rather than by a judgment or other determination of liability.
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(f) In the case of a Third-Party Claim, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of the Third-Party Claim without the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Indemnitee if the effect thereof is to permit any injunction, declaratory judgment, other order or other non-monetary relief to be entered, directly or indirectly, against any Indemnitee, does not release the Indemnitee from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such Third-Party Claim or includes an admission of guilt or liability on behalf of the Indemnitee.
(g) Absent fraud or intentional misconduct by an Indemnifying Party, the indemnification provisions of this Article X shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of an Indemnitee for any monetary or compensatory damages or Losses resulting from any breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and each Indemnitee expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights, claims or remedies such Person may have with respect to the foregoing other than under this Article X against any Indemnifying Party.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that counsel or independent accountants for a Protected REIT determine that there exists a material risk that any indemnification payments due under this Agreement would be treated as Nonqualifying Income upon the payment of such amounts to the relevant Indemnitee, the amount paid to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement in any tax year shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be paid to the Indemnitee in such year without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any tax year, determined as if the payment of such amount were Nonqualifying Income as determined by such counsel or independent accountants to the Protected REIT. If the amount payable for any tax year under the preceding sentence is less than the amount which the relevant Indemnifying Party would otherwise be obligated to pay to the relevant Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement (the Expense Amount ), then: (1) the Indemnifying Party shall place the Expense Amount into an escrow account (the Escrow Account ) using an escrow agent and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee and shall not release any portion thereof to the Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to any such amount, unless and until the Indemnitee delivers to the Indemnifying Party, at the sole option of the relevant Protected REIT, (i) an opinion (an Expense Amount Tax Opinion ) of the Protected REITs tax counsel to the effect that such amount, if and to the extent paid, would not constitute Nonqualifying Income, (ii) a letter (an Expense Amount Accountants Letter ) from the Protected REITs independent accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid at that time to the Indemnitee without causing the Protected REIT to fail to meet the REIT Requirements for any relevant taxable year, or (iii) a private letter ruling issued by the IRS to the Protected REIT indicating that the receipt of any Expense Amount hereunder will not cause the Protected REIT to fail to satisfy the REIT Requirements (a REIT Qualification Ruling and, collectively with an Expense Amount Tax Opinion and an Expense Amount Accountants Letter, a Release Document ); and (2) pending the delivery of a Release Document by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall have the right, but not the obligation, to borrow the Expense Amount from the Escrow Account pursuant to a loan agreement (an Indemnity Loan Agreement ) reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee that (i) requires the Indemnifying Party to lend the Indemnitee immediately available cash proceeds in an amount equal to the Expense Amount (an Indemnity Loan ), and (ii) provides for (A) a commercially reasonable interest rate and commercially reasonable covenants, taking into account the credit standing and
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profile of the Indemnitee or any guarantor of the Indemnitee, including the Protected REIT, at the time of such loan, and (B) a 15 year maturity with no periodic amortization.
Section 10.5 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds . The Parties intend that any Loss subject to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article X (an Indemnifiable Loss ) will be net of Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Loss. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to any Indemnitee will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds actually recovered by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in reduction of the related Loss. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an Indemnity Payment ) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Loss and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds, the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payments received over the amount of the Indemnity Payments that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds recovery had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payments were made. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnitee is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss. The existence of a claim by an Indemnitee for insurance or against a third party in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss shall not, however, delay any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained in this Article X and otherwise determined to be due and owing by an Indemnifying Party; rather, the Indemnifying Party shall make payment in full of such amount so determined to be due and owing by it against a concurrent written assignment by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of the portion of the claim of the Indemnitee for such insurance or against such third party equal to the amount of such payment. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Indemnifying Party in recovering or to recover on behalf of the Indemnifying Party, any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnifying Party is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss as a result of such assignment. The Indemnitee shall make available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all employees, books and records, communications, documents, items or matters within its knowledge, possession or control that are necessary, appropriate or reasonably deemed relevant by the Indemnifying Party with respect to the recovery of such Insurance Proceeds; provided , however , that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed to require a Party to make available books and records, communications, documents or items which (i) in such Partys good faith judgment could result in a waiver of any privilege even if the Parties cooperated to protect such privilege as contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) such Party is not permitted to make available because of any Law or any confidentiality obligation to a third party, in which case such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from such confidentiality restriction. Unless the Indemnifying Party has made payment in full of any Indemnifiable Loss, such Indemnifying Party shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which it or such Affiliate is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss.
Section 10.6 Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes . The Parties intend that any Indemnifiable Loss will be net of Taxes. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to an Indemnitee will be adjusted to reflect any tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss and to reflect any Taxes imposed upon the Indemnitee as a result of the receipt of such payment. Such an adjustment will first be made at the time that the Indemnity Payment is made and will further be made, as appropriate, to take into account any
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change in the liability of the Indemnitee for Taxes that occurs in connection with the final resolution of an audit by a Taxing Authority. For purposes of this Section 10.6, the value of any tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss shall be an amount equal to the product of (a) the amount of any present or future deduction allowed or allowable to the Indemnitee by the Code, or other applicable Law, as a result of such Loss and (b) the highest statutory rate applicable under Section 11 of the Code, or other applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Law, the Parties will treat any Indemnity Payment paid pursuant to this Agreement as a capital contribution made by Ashford Trust to Ashford Prime or as a distribution made by Ashford Prime to Ashford Trust, as the case may be, on the date of this Agreement.
Section 10.7 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Article X is unavailable to an Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee, shall contribute to the Losses paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Indemnifiable Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Ashford Prime and each other member of the Ashford Prime Group, on the one hand, and Ashford Trust and each other member of the Ashford Trust Group, on the other hand, in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Indemnifiable Loss.
Section 10.8 Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article X shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.
Section 10.9 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of the Parties and their respective Indemnitees under this Article X shall survive the Distribution Date indefinitely, unless a specific survival or other applicable period is expressly set forth herein, and shall survive the sale or other transfer by any Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.
Section 10.10 Limitation of Liability . EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES), HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
ARTICLE XI
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Section 11.1 Appointed Representative . Each Party shall appoint a representative who shall be responsible for administering the dispute resolution provisions in Section 11.2 (each, an Appointed Representative ). Each Appointed Representative shall have the authority to resolve any Agreement Disputes on behalf of the Party appointing such representative.
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Section 11.2 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, in the event of a controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity, termination or breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each, an Agreement Dispute ), the Appointed Representatives shall negotiate in good faith for thirty (30) days to settle any such Agreement Dispute.
(b) Nothing said or disclosed, nor any document produced, in the course of any negotiations, conferences and discussions in connection with efforts to settle an Agreement Dispute that is not otherwise independently discoverable shall be offered or received as evidence or used for impeachment or for any other purpose, but shall be considered as to have been disclosed for settlement purposes.
(c) If a satisfactory resolution of any Agreement Dispute is not achieved by the Appointed Representatives within thirty (30) days, each Party will be entitled to refer the dispute to arbitration in accordance with Section 11.3.
Section 11.3 Arbitration .
(a) If a satisfactory resolution of any Agreement Dispute is not achieved by the Appointed Representatives within thirty (30) days, such Agreement Dispute shall be resolved, at the request of either Party, by arbitration administered by the CPR under its Arbitration Rules (the CPR Rules ), conducted in Dallas, Texas. There shall be three arbitrators. Each Party shall appoint one arbitrator. The two Party-appointed arbitrators shall agree on a third arbitrator who will chair the arbitral tribunal. Any arbitrator not appointed within a reasonable time shall be appointed in accordance with the CPR Rules. Any controversy concerning whether an Agreement Dispute is an arbitrable Agreement Dispute, whether arbitration has been waived, whether an assignee of this Agreement is bound to arbitrate, or as to the interpretation or enforceability of this Section 11.3 will be determined by the arbitrators. In resolving any Agreement Dispute, the Parties intend that the arbitrators apply the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any choice of law principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Parties intend that the provisions to arbitrate set forth herein be valid, enforceable and irrevocable, and any award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on the Parties. The Parties agree to comply with any award made in any such arbitration proceedings and agree to enforcement of or entry of judgment upon such award, in any court of competent jurisdiction, including any Texas State or federal court. The arbitrators shall be entitled, if appropriate, to award monetary damages and other remedies, subject to the provisions of Section 10.10. The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to encourage the arbitrators to resolve any arbitration related to any Agreement Dispute as promptly as practicable. Except as required by applicable Law, including disclosure or reporting requirements, the arbitrators and the Parties shall maintain the confidentiality of all information, records, reports, or other documents obtained in the course of the arbitration, and of all awards, orders, or other arbitral decisions rendered by the arbitrators.
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(b) The arbitrators may consolidate arbitration under this Agreement with any arbitration arising under or relating to any of the Ancillary Agreements if the subjects of the Agreement Disputes thereunder arise out of or relate essentially to the same set of facts or transactions. Such consolidated arbitration will be determined by the arbitrators appointed for the arbitration proceeding that was commenced first in time.
(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article XI with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute resolution.
ARTICLE XII
TERMINATION
Section 12.1 Termination . Upon written notice, this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements, if any, may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of Ashford Trust without the approval of any other Party.
Section 12.2 Effect of Termination . In the event of termination pursuant to Section 11.1, neither Party shall have any Liability of any kind to the other Party.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.1 Further Assurances . Subject to the limitations or other provisions of this Agreement, (a) each Party shall, and shall cause the other members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Party in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain satisfaction of the conditions precedent in Article V within its reasonable control and to perform all covenants and agreements herein applicable to such Party or any member of its Group and (b) neither Party will, nor will either Party allow any other member of its Group to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, take any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay any of the Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where the cooperation of third parties, such as lenders, joint venture partners, franchisors, insurers or trustees, would be necessary in order for a Party to completely fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such third parties to provide such cooperation.
Section 13.2 Payment of Expenses . All costs and expenses incurred and directly related to the Transactions shall: (i) to the extent incurred and payable on or prior to the Distribution Date, be paid by Ashford Trust OP, it being understood that Ashford Prime OP shall reimburse Ashford Trust OP for the cost of such expenses within a reasonable time following the Distribution Date; and (ii) to the extent arising and payable following the Distribution Date, be paid by the Party incurring such cost or expense.
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Section 13.3 Amendments and Waivers .
(a) Subject to Section 12.1, this Agreement may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both Parties.
(b) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof and any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party. No delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that either Party would otherwise have.
Section 13.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, if any, and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 13.5 Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.
Section 13.6 Third Party Beneficiaries . Except (a) as provided in Article X relating to Indemnitees and for the release of any Person provided under Section 10.1, (b) as provided in Section 7.1 relating to insured persons and (c) as provided in Section 8.1(a), this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
Section 13.7 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party:
(a) The Ashford Trust Group:
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If to Ashford Trust:
Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX 75254
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (972) 490-9600
If to Ashford Trust OP:
Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership
c/o Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX 75254
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (972) 490-9600
If to Ashford Trust TRS:
Ashford TRS Corporation
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX 75254
Attention: President
Phone: (972) 490-9600
In each case, with a copy to:
Andrews Kurth LLP
1717 Main Street, Suite 1700
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Muriel C. McFarling
(b) | The Ashford Prime Group |
If to Ashford Prime:
Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.
c/o Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Dallas, TX 75254
Phone: (972) 490-9600
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If to Ashford Prime OP:
Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership
c/o Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
Dallas, TX 75254
Phone: (972) 490-9600
If to Ashford Prime TRS:
Ashford Prime TRS Corporation
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Attention: President
Dallas, TX 75254
Phone: (972) 490-9600
In each case, with a copy to:
Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Attention: General Counsel
Dallas, TX 75254
Phone: (972) 490-9600
Section 13.8 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.
Section 13.9 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or thereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.
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Section 13.10 Assignability; Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.
Section 13.11 Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree that venue for any action in connection herewith shall be proper in Dallas County, Texas. Each party hereto consents to the jurisdiction of any local, state or federal court situated in any of such locations and waives any objection which it may have pertaining to improper venue or forum non conveniens to the conduct of any proceeding in any such court.
Section 13.12 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.
Section 13.13 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 13.14 Exhibits and Schedules . The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
[Signature Page(s) Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the date first set forth above.
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ David A. Brooks | |
David A. Brooks, Chief Operating | ||
Officer and General Counsel |
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||||
By: | Ashford OP General Partner LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ David A. Brooks | |||
Name: | David A. Brooks, Vice President | |||
ASHFORD TRS CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ David J. Kimichik | |||
Name: | David J. Kimichik, President |
[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC. |
||
By: |
/s/ David A. Brooks | |
|
||
David A. Brooks, Chief Operating | ||
Officer and General Counsel |
[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||
By: Ashford Prime OP General Partner LLC, its general partner |
||
By: | /s/ David A. Brooks | |
|
||
Name: | David A. Brooks, Vice President | |
ASHFORD PRIME TRS CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ David J. Kimichik | |
|
||
Name: | David J. Kimichik, President |
Exhibit A
Property and JV Entities
Property | Property and JV Entities |
Property and JV Entitys
Relationship to the Property |
Property and JV Equity Interest
being contributed by Ashford Trust OP to Ashford Prime OP |
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Courtyard Philadelphia
21 North Juniper Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Ashford Philadelphia Annex LP | Ashford Philadelphia Annex LP directly owns 100% of the Courtyard Philadelphia. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford Philadelphia Annex LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Philadelphia Annex GP LLC | Ashford Philadelphia Annex GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford Philadelphia Annex LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Philadelphia Annex GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. | ||||
Marriott Plano
7120 Dallas Parkway Plano, Texas |
Ashford Plano-M LP | Ashford Plano-M LP directly owns 100% of the Marriott Plano. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford Plano-M LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC | Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford Plano-M LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. | ||||
Marriott Seattle
2100 Alaskan Way Seattle, Washington |
Ashford Seattle Waterfront LP | Ashford Seattle Waterfront LP directly owns 100% of the Marriott Seattle. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford Seattle Waterfront LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC | Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford Seattle Waterfront LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. | ||||
Renaissance Tampa
4200 Jim Walter Blvd. Tampa, Florida |
Ashford Tampa International Hotel Partnership LP | Ashford Tampa International Hotel, LP directly owns 100% of the ground leasehold in the Renaissance Tampa. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford Tampa International Hotel, LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC | Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford Tampa International Hotel, LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Sapphire VII GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. |
Courtyard Seattle
925 Westlake Ave North Seattle, Washington |
Ashford Seattle Downtown LP | Ashford Seattle Downtown LP directly owns 100% of the Courtyard Seattle. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford Seattle Downtown LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC | Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford Seattle Downtown LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. | ||||
Courtyard San Francisco
299 Second Street San Francisco, California |
Ashford San Francisco II LP | Ashford San Francisco II LP directly owns 100% of the Courtyard San Francisco. |
The limited partner interest in Ashford San Francisco II LP, representing 99.5% of the ownership of such partnership.
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Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC | Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC is the general partner of Ashford San Francisco II LP, owning a .05% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford Sapphire III GP LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. | ||||
Hilton Torrey Pines
10950 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, California
and
The Capital Hilton
1001 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. |
Ashford HHC Partners III LP | Ashford HHC Partners III LP indirectly owns 100% of the ground leasehold in the Hilton Torrey Pines and indirectly owns 100% of Capital Hilton. | The limited partner interest in Ashford HHC Partners III LP, representing 74.9% of the ownership of such partnership. | |||
Ashford HHC III LLC | Ashford HHC Partners III LLC is the general partner of Ashford HHC III LP, owning a .01% interest in such partnership. | The member interest in Ashford HHC Partners III LLC, representing 100% of the ownership of such LLC. |
Exhibit B
TRS Entities
Ashford TRS Philadelphia Annex LLC
Ashford TRS Sapphire III LLC
Ashford TRS Sapphire VII LLC
Exhibit 3.1
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC., a Maryland corporation (the Corporation ), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Corporation desires to amend and restate its Charter (the Charter ) as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the Charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
ARTICLE I
FORMATION
The Corporation is a corporation under the Maryland General Corporation Law ( MGCL ).
ARTICLE II
NAME AND LIFE
Section 1. Name . The name of the Corporation is Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.
Section 2. Life . The Corporation shall have a perpetual existence.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust (a REIT ) under Section 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or any successor statute (the Code )) for which corporations may be organized under the MGCL as now or hereafter in force.
ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the principal office of the Corporation within the State of Maryland, is c/o CSC Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Corporation may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors ) may from time to time determine. The name of the resident agent of the Corporation within the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, and the address of such agent is 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. Number of Authorized Shares. The Corporation is authorized to issue an aggregate of 250,000,000 shares of stock ( Capital Stock ) consisting of (a) 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Common Stock ) and (b) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Preferred Stock ). The aggregate par value of all of the shares of all of the classes of stock of the Corporation is $2,500,000. Capital Stock of the Company may be issued for such consideration as the Directors determine, or if issued as a result of a stock dividend or stock split, without any consideration. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without action by the stockholders, may amend the Articles of Incorporation from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of Capital Stock of the Company or the number of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series that the Company has the authority to issue. The Board of Directors by resolution may also classify or reclassify any unissued shares of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by setting or changing in any one or more respects, from time to time before issuance of such shares, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares.
Section 2. Common Stock . Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, if any, and any other class of stock hereinafter created by the Corporation:
(a) the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters requiring stockholder action, each share being entitled to one vote;
(b) distributions may be declared and paid or set apart for payment upon the Common Stock out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of distributions, but only when, as, and if, authorized by the Board of Directors; and
(c) upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock.
Section 3. Preferred Stock . Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall:
(a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation;
(b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series;
(c) establish, subject to the provisions of Article VI and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions (including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability), limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and
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(d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland containing a description of the stock as set or changed by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Board of Directors may:
(a) authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend);
(b) classify or reclassify any unissued shares of stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock; and
(c) set or change the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions (including without limitation, restrictions on transferability), limitations as to distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of any series of Preferred Stock, subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter, the Bylaws of the Corporation (the Bylaws) or as may otherwise be provided by contract or law.
Section 5. Fractional Shares of Stock . The Corporation may, without the consent or approval of any stockholder, issue fractional shares of Capital Stock.
Section 6. Charter and Bylaws . All persons who shall acquire Capital Stock of the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this Charter and the Bylaws, as this Charter and the Bylaws may be amended from time-to-time.
Section 7. Approval of Extraordinary Actions . Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater proportion of votes and except as specifically provided in Article VI, Section 9 and Article VII, Section 10, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by a majority of the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
ARTICLE VI
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF
SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Definitions . For the purpose of this Article VI, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Beneficial Ownership . The term Beneficial Ownership shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include (in addition to direct ownership and
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indirect ownership through a nominee or similar arrangement) interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code. The terms Beneficial Owner , Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Benefit Plan Investor . The term Benefit Plan Investor shall have the meaning provided in 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101(f)(2), or any successor regulation thereto.
Business Day . The term Business Day shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Charitable Beneficiary . The term Charitable Beneficiary shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 3.7 of this Article VI, provided that each such organization must be described in Sections 501(c)(3), 170(b)(1)(A) (other than clause (vii) or (viii) thereof) and 170(c)(2) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Charitable Trust . The term Charitable Trust shall mean any trust provided for in Section 2.1(b)(i) and Section 3.1 of this Article VI.
Charitable Trustee . The term Charitable Trustee shall mean the Person, unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation from time to time to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Closing Price . The Closing Price on any date shall mean the last sale price on such date for such shares of Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such shares of Capital Stock, in either case as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such shares of Capital Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such shares of Capital Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if such shares of Capital Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such shares of Capital Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such shares of Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such shares of Capital Stock, the fair market value of such shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, if the date for which such determination is to be made is a day that the NYSE is not open for trading, such determination shall be made for the most recent day for which the NYSE was open for trading.
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Constructive Ownership . The term Constructive Ownership shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include any interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms Constructive Owner , Constructively Owns and Constructively Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
ERISA Investor . The term ERISA Investor shall mean any holder of shares of Capital Stock that is (i) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ( ERISA ), (ii) a plan as defined in Section 4975(e) of the Code (any such employee benefit plan or plan described in clause (i) or this clause (ii) being referred to herein as a Plan ), (iii) a trust which was established pursuant to a Plan, or a nominee for such trust or Plan, or (iv) an entity whose underlying assets include assets of a Plan by reason of such Plans investment in such entity.
Excepted Holder . The term Excepted Holder shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Article VI.
Excepted Holder Limit . The term Excepted Holder Limit shall mean, provided that (and only so long as) the affected Excepted Holder complies with all of the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Article VI, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.8 of this Article VI, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Article VI.
Initial Date . The date upon which Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. consummates the initial distribution of the Common Stock to the holders of common stock of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., which is expected to occur on or about November 19, 2013.
Market Price . The term Market Price on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such shares of Capital Stock on such date.
NYSE . The term NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Ownership Limit . The term Ownership Limit shall mean (i) with respect to any class or series shares of Common Stock, 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class or series of Common Stock; and (ii) with respect to any class or series of shares of Preferred Stock or other stock, 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock or other stock of the Corporation.
Person . The term Person shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company, limited liability company, or other entity and also includes a
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group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Prohibited Owner . The term Prohibited Owner shall mean any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 2.1 of this Article VI, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
Publicly Offered Securities . The term Publicly Offered Securities shall have the meaning provided in 29 C.F.R Section 2510.3-101(b)(2), or any successor regulation thereto.
Restriction Termination Date . The term Restriction Termination Date shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.
Transfer . The term Transfer shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event (or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events) that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on shares of Capital Stock, including without limitation, (a) a change in the capital structure of the Corporation, (b) a change in the relationship between two or more Persons which causes a change in ownership of shares of Capital Stock by application of either Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h) of the Code or Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code, (c) the grant or exercise of any option or warrant (or any disposition of any option or warrant, or any event that causes any option or warrant not theretofore exercisable to become exercisable), pledge, security interest or similar right to acquire shares of Capital Stock, (d) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Capital Stock or any interest in shares of Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right, and (e) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock. For purposes of this Article VI, the right of a limited partner in Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (or any successor thereto), to require the partnership to redeem such limited partners units of limited partnership interest pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership, as amended, shall not be considered to be an option or similar right to acquire shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation so long as such Section 7.4 is not amended in a manner that would grant to a limited partner a legal right to require that either Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (or any successor thereto) or the Corporation issue to such limited partner shares of Capital Stock and so long as the restrictions in Section 7.4 of such Agreement apply to the exercise of the rights set forth in such Section 7.4. The terms Transferring and Transferred shall have the correlative meanings.
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Section 2. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Shares.
Section 2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and ending at the close of business on the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit, and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that (1) such Beneficial Ownership of shares of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), (2) such Constructive Ownership would cause either the Corporation to be considered to constructively own after application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 856(d)(5) of the Code an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code for purposes of applying Section 856(c) of the Code or Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (or any successor thereto) to be considered to constructively own after application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 856(d)(5) of the Code, as modified by the rules of Section 7704(d) of the Code, an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code for purposes of applying Section 7704(d) of the Code, or (3) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (or any successor thereto) to fail to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
(iii) No Person shall Transfer any shares of Capital Stock if, as a result of the Transfer, the outstanding shares of all classes and series of Capital Stock would be Beneficially Owned by less than 100 Persons (determined without reference to the rules of attribution under Section 544 of the Code). Subject to Section 5 of this Article VI and notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in outstanding shares of all classes and series of Capital Stock being Beneficially Owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
(b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system)
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occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 2.1(a)(i) or 2.1(a)(ii) of this Article VI, as applicable,
(i) then that number of shares of Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 2.1(a)(i) or 2.1(a)(ii) (rounded upward to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or
(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 2.1(a)(i) or 2.1(a)(ii), as applicable, then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 2.1(a)(i) or 2.1(a)(ii), as applicable, shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
Section 2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 2.1 of this Article VI or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable under Section 2.1(b)(ii), such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
Section 2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 2.1(a), or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such acquisition or ownership on the Corporations status as a REIT.
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Section 2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and ending at the close of business on the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) Every stockholder of record of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares Beneficially Owned, and a description of the manner in which such shares of Capital Stock are held; provided that a stockholder of record who holds outstanding shares of Capital Stock as nominee for another Person, which other Person is required to include in gross income the dividends received on such shares (an Actual Owner), shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such Actual Owner and the number of shares of Capital Stock of such Actual Owner with respect to which the stockholder of record is nominee. Each such stockholder of record and each Actual Owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporations status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
(b) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of shares of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporations status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Section 2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5 of this Article VI, nothing contained in this Section 2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporations status as a REIT.
Section 2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 2, Section 3 or any definition contained in Section 1 of this Article VI, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 2 or Section 3 with respect to any situation based upon the facts known to it. If Section 2 or 3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter of the Corporation fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 1, 2 or 3 of this Article VI.
Section 2.7 Exceptions .
(a) The Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may grant to any Person who makes a request therefor an exception to the Ownership Limit (or one or more elements thereof) with respect to the ownership of any series or class of Capital Stock of the Corporation, subject to the following conditions and limitations: (A) the
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Board of Directors shall have determined that (x) assuming such Person would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own the maximum amount of shares of Common Stock and stock of the Corporation (other than Common Stock) permitted as a result of the exception to be granted and (y) assuming that all other Persons who would be treated as individuals for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own the maximum amount of shares of Common Stock and stock of the Corporation (other than Common Stock) permitted under this Article VI (taking into account any exception, waiver or exemption granted under this Section 2.7 to (or with respect to) such Persons), the Corporation would not be closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (assuming that the ownership of shares of Capital Stock is determined during the second half of a taxable year) and would not otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT; and (B) such Person provides to the Board of Directors such representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine to be necessary in order for it to make the determination that the conditions set forth in clause (A) above of this Section 2.7(a) have been and/or will continue to be satisfied (including, without limitation, an agreement as to a reduced Ownership Limit or Excepted Holder Limit for such Person with respect to the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of one or more other classes or series of shares of Capital Stock not subject to the exception), and such Person agrees that any violation of such representations and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 2 of this Article VI with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in excess of the Ownership Limit or the Excepted Holder Limit (as may be applicable) with respect to such Person (determined without regard to the exception granted such Person under this subparagraph (a)). If a member of the Board of Directors requests that the Board of Directors grant an exception pursuant to this subparagraph (a) with respect to such member, or with respect to any other Person if such member would be considered to be the Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of shares of Capital Stock owned by such other Person, such member of the Board of Directors shall not participate in the decision of the Board of Directors as to whether to grant any such exception.
(b) In addition to exceptions permitted under subparagraph (a) above, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may grant to any Person who makes a request therefor (a Requesting Person ) an exception from the Ownership Limit (or one or more elements thereof) if:
(i) such Person submits to the Board of Directors information satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that such Requesting Person is not an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code);
(ii) such Requesting Person submits to the Board of Directors information satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that no Person who is an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would be considered to Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock in excess
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of the Ownership Limit by reason of the Requesting Persons ownership of shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to the exception granted under this subparagraph (b);
(iii) such Requesting Person submits to the Board of Directors information satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that neither clause (2) nor clause (3) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 2.1 will be violated by reason of the Requesting Persons ownership of shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to the exception granted under this subparagraph (b); and
(iv) such Requesting Person provides to the Board of Directors such representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, require to ensure that the conditions in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof are satisfied and will continue to be satisfied throughout the period during which such Requesting Person owns shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant to any exception thereto granted under this subparagraph (b), and such Requesting Person agrees that any violation of such representations and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 2 of this Article VI with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in excess of the Ownership Limit with respect to such Requesting Person (determined without regard to the exception granted such Requesting Person under this subparagraph (b)).
(c) Prior to granting any exception or exemption pursuant to subparagraph (a) or (b), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporations status as a REIT; provided , however , that the Board of Directors shall not be obligated to require obtaining a favorable ruling or opinion in order to grant an exception hereunder. Any expense incurred in connection with obtaining such a ruling or opinion shall be the sole responsibility of the Requesting Person.
(d) Subject to Section 2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter that participates in a public offering or a private placement of shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Capital Stock) in excess of the Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement; and provided, that the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by such underwriter would not result in the Corporation being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or otherwise result in the Corporations failing to qualify as a REIT. In this regard, at no time may either (x) an underwriter, or (y) any Person who would Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock owned by an underwriter Constructively Own, concurrently, 10% or more of the outstanding securities of any class or series of (i) the Corporation and any tenant or lessee of the Corporation, or (ii) the Corporation and any Person that would be considered to
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Constructively Own or Beneficially Own 10% or more of any tenant or lessee of the Corporation.
(e) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Ownership Limit.
Section 2.8 Increase or Decrease in Ownership Limit . The Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Ownership Limit, subject to the limitations provided in this Section 2.8.
(a) Any decrease may be made only prospectively as to subsequent holders (other than a decrease as a result of a retroactive change in existing law, in which case such change shall be effective immediately); and further, any decrease may be made only to ensure the Corporations status as a REIT.
(b) The Ownership Limit may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five Persons who are considered individuals pursuant to Section 542 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(3) of the Code (taking into account all of the Excepted Holders), could Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, more than 49.5% of the value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock.
(c) Prior to the modification of the Ownership Limit pursuant to this Section 2.8, the Board of Directors may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporations status as a REIT if the modification in the Ownership Limit were to be made.
Section 2.9 Legend . Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock (or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Capital Stock) shall bear substantially the following legend:
The shares of Capital Stock represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer primarily for the purpose of the Companys maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust (a REIT ) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ). Except as expressly provided in the Companys Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock of the Company in excess of 9.8 percent (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) with respect to any class or series of shares of Capital Stock other than Common Stock, no Person may Beneficially Own
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or Constructively Own more than 9.8 percent (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class or series of such stock of the Company (collectively, (i) and (ii) are referred to herein as the Ownership Limit ), unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that would result in the Company being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code, would cause either the Company to be considered to constructively own after application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 856(d)(5) of the Code an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code for purposes of applying Section 856(c) of the Code or Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (or any successor thereto) to be considered to constructively own after application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 856(d)(5) of the Code, as modified by the rules of Section 7704(d) of the Code, an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code for purposes of applying Section 7704(d) of the Code, or otherwise would cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code; and (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in shares of Capital Stock of the Company being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Company. If any of the restrictions on Transfer are violated, the shares of Capital Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trustee of a Charitable Trust for the benefit (except as otherwise provided in the Companys Charter) of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio . A Person who attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the Transfer restrictions described above shall have no claim, cause of action or any recourse whatsoever against a transferor of such shares of Capital Stock. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Companys Charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on Transfer, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Company on request and without charge.
Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.
Section 3. Transfer of Shares of Capital Stock in the Corporation.
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Section 3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Charitable Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries (except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 3.5). Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to any purported Transfer or other event that otherwise results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 2.1(b). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 3.7.
Section 3.2 Status of Shares of Capital Stock Held by the Charitable Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Charitable Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares of Capital Stock held by the Charitable Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of Capital Stock held in trust by the Charitable Trustee (except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 3.5), shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions, and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action or other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such shares of Capital Stock.
Section 3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary (except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 3.5). Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares of Capital Stock to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividends or distributions so paid over to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustees sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided , however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the power to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at
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meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies, and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.
Section 3.4 Rights Upon Liquidation . Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of or any distribution of the assets of the Corporation, the Charitable Trustee shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of shares of Capital Stock of the class or series of shares of Capital Stock that is held in the Charitable Trust, that portion of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of such class or series (determined based upon the ratio that the number of shares of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock held by the Charitable Trustee bears to the total number of shares of Capital Stock of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock then outstanding). The Charitable Trustee shall distribute any such assets received in respect of the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up or distribution of the assets of the Corporation, in accordance with Section 3.5.
Section 3.5 Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee .
(a) Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust (together with the right to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to such shares of Capital Stock as to any shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Charitable Trustee as a result of the operation of Section 2.1(b)) to a person, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares of Capital Stock will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares of Capital Stock sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 3.5.
(b) A Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the net price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares of Capital Stock or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares of Capital Stock in connection with the event causing the shares of Capital Stock to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares of Capital Stock on the day of the event causing the shares of Capital Stock to be held in the Charitable Trust, and (2) the net sales proceeds per share received by the Charitable Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such shares of Capital Stock are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares of Capital Stock that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 3.5, such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.
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Section 3.6 Purchase Right in Shares of Capital Stock Transferred to the Charitable Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise, gift or other such transaction, the Market Price of the shares of Capital Stock on the day of the event causing the shares of Capital Stock to be held in the Charitable Trust) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 3.5. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares of Capital Stock sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.
Section 3.7 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Corporation shall designate from time to time one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i) shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Sections 501(c)(3), 170(b)(1)(A) or 170(c)(2) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Section 4. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Shares of Capital Stock by Benefit Plans.
Section 4.1 Ownership Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if and to the extent that any class or series of shares of Capital Stock do not constitute Publicly Offered Securities, then Benefit Plan Investors may not, on any date, hold, individually or in the aggregate, 25 percent or more of the value of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock. For purposes of determining whether Benefit Plan Investors hold, individually or in the aggregate, 25 percent or more of the value of such class or series of shares of Capital Stock, the value of shares of Capital Stock of such class held by any director or officer of the Corporation, or any other Person who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the Corporation, or any Person who provides investment advice for a fee to the Corporation in connection with its assets, or an affiliate of such person, as defined in 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101(f)(3), or any successor regulation thereto, shall be disregarded.
Section 4.2 Remedies for Violations by Benefit Plan Investors . If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that (i) a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 4.1 or will otherwise result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor or (ii) that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire or hold shares of Capital Stock in a manner that will result in a violation of Section 4.1 or will otherwise result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor, the Board of
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Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to mitigate, prevent or cure the consequences that might result to the Corporation from such Transfer or other event, including without limitation, refusing to give effect to or preventing such Transfer or event through redemption of such shares of Capital Stock or refusal to give effect to the Transfer or event on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event.
Section 4.3 Information on Benefit Plan Status . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire or hold shares of Capital Stock shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request in order to determine whether such acquisition or holding has resulted or will result in a violation of Section 4.1 or otherwise has resulted or will result in the underlying assets and property of the Corporation becoming assets of any ERISA Investor, including the name and address of any Person for whom a nominee holds shares of Capital Stock and whether the underlying assets of such Person include assets of any Benefit Plan Investor.
Section 5. NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction takes place shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VI.
Section 6. Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VI.
Section 7. Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
Section 8. Enforceability . If any of the restrictions on transfer of shares of Capital Stock contained in this Article VI are determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Prohibited Owner may be deemed, at the option of the Corporation, to have acted as an agent of the Corporation in acquiring such shares and to hold such shares on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 9. Amendments . Notwithstanding any other provisions of the MGCL or the Charter of the Corporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required to amend, alter, change, repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, the provisions of this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
DIRECTORS
Section 1. General . All powers of the Corporation shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.
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Section 2. Election of Directors . Directors of the Corporation shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected and at which a quorum is present. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.
Section 3. Number and Terms of Directors . The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed at seven (7), which number may be increased or decreased pursuant to the Bylaws, but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve for a term of one year and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier resignation or removal. The names of the directors who currently serve and shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:
Monty J. Bennett;
Douglas A. Kessler;
Stefani D. Carter;
Curtis B. McWilliams;
W. Michael Murphy;
Matthew D. Rinaldi; and
Andrew L. Strong.
Section 4. Nominations of Director Candidates . Advance notice of nominations for the election of directors, other than by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws. For so long as Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC, or its successor in interest (the Advisor ), is acting in the capacity as the external advisor of the Corporation, the Corporation shall include two persons designated by the Advisor as candidates for election as director at any stockholders meeting at which directors are to be elected. Such nominees may be executive officers of the Advisor. If the size of the Board of Directors is increased at any time to more than seven directors, then the Advisors right to nominate shall be increased by such number of additional directors as shall be necessary to maintain the ratio of directors nominated by the Advisor to the directors otherwise nominated, as nearly as possible (rounding to the next larger whole number), equal to the ratio that would have existed if the Board of Directors consisted of seven members.
Section 5. Committees . Subject to the MGCL, the directors may establish such committees as they deem appropriate, in their discretion.
Section 6. Vacancies. The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Capital Stock and subject to Section 8 of this Article VII, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
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Section 7. Resignation . Any director may resign by written notice to the Board of Directors, effective upon execution and delivery to the Corporation of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice.
Section 8. Removal . Any director may be removed only for cause and then only upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholder votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. For cause means, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active deliberate dishonesty.
Section 9. Voting . At all meetings of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided for by law, this Charter or the Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then present; provided, however, that a majority of the disinterested directors shall approve any transaction or agreement involving the Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries or Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership and a director or officer of the Corporation or an Affiliate or Associate of any director or officer of the Corporation. The proviso in the preceding sentence, however, shall not apply to the fixing by the Board of Directors of reasonable compensation for a director.
Section 10. Business Combination Statute . Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement or any contrary provision of law, the Maryland Business Combination Statute, found in Title 3, subtitle 6 of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, shall not apply to any business combination (as defined in Section 3-601(e) of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto) of the Corporation and any Person. Any amendment of this Section 10 shall be subject to Section 3-603(e)(iii) of the MGCL.
Section 11. Control Share Acquisition Statute . Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement or any contrary provision of law, the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Statute, found in Title 3, subtitle 7 of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto shall not apply to any acquisition of securities of the Corporation by any Person.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 1. Limitation of Director Liability . To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Charter or the Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
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ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
The Corporation (a) shall indemnify its directors to the fullest extent provided by the general laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses under the procedures provided by such laws and (b) may indemnify its officers to the extent it shall deem appropriate and as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors, consistent with law. The foregoing shall not limit the authority of the Corporation to indemnify other employees and agents consistent with law.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Bylaws of the Corporation may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws adopted, solely by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment of this Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment which alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any of its outstanding stock.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION
In order to voluntarily dissolve the Corporation, the Board of Directors must declare the action advisable and stockholders holding at least a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required to cast an affirmative vote.
ARTICLE XIII
DEFINITIONS
Except as otherwise defined in Article VI, for purposes of this Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate and Associate shall have the respective meanings set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules and regulations.
Business Day shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Group Acting in Concert shall mean Persons seeking to combine or pool their voting or other interests in the securities of the Corporation for a common purpose, pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written, oral or otherwise, or any group of Persons as described under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
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Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder). When Persons act together for any such purpose, their group is deemed to have acquired their stock as a Group Acting in Concert .
Person shall mean an individual or Group Acting in Concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a business trust, a government or political subdivision, any unincorporated organization, or any other association or entity.
THIRD: The foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter was duly advised by the Board of Directors, and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law. The stockholders approved these Articles of Amendment and Restatement by the unanimous written consent of the stockholders, including the unanimous written consent of all stockholders, if any, who are not interested stockholders or affiliates or associates of interested stockholders (as defined in Title 3, Subtle 6 of the MGCL).
FOURTH:
(a) Immediately prior to the amendment and restatement of the Charter, the Corporation had authorized 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.
(b) Immediately following the amendment and restatement of the Charter, the corporation had authorized 250,000,000 shares of Capital Stock, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (subject to classification and reclassification in the future), par value $0.01 per share.
(c) Prior to the amendment and restatement, the aggregate par value of all classes of Capital Stock was $10. Following the amendment, the aggregate par value of all classes of Capital Stock was $2,500,000
.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, on this 8th day of November , 2013, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary; and the Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that these Articles of Amendment and Restatement are the act of the Corporation, and the Chief Executive Officer further acknowledges that, as to all matters or facts set forth herein that are required to be verified under oath, such matters and facts are true in all material respects to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC. |
||
By: |
/s/ David A. Brooks | |
David A. Brooks, | ||
Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and General Counsel |
ATTEST: |
||
By: |
/s/ David J. Kimichik | |
David J. Kimichik, |
||
Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 3.2
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
November 5, 2013
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. (the Corporation) or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Directors (the Board) in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2. Annual Meeting . An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall hold its first annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the year 2014
Section 3. Special Meetings.
(a) General . Each of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.
(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings .
(1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the Record Date Request Notice ) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the Request Record Date ). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the Exchange Act ). Upon receiving the Record Date Request
Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.
(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the Special Meeting Request ) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the Special Meeting Percentage ) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporations books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 30 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.
(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporations proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.
(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a Stockholder-Requested Meeting ), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the Meeting Record Date ); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails
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to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the Delivery Date ), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).
(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporations intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
(6) The Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days
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after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Section 4. Notice. A written notice of all annual meetings of stockholders stating the hour, date and place of such annual meetings and, to the extent required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, the purpose for which the meeting has been called shall be given by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or other person authorized by these Bylaws or by law) not less than 10 days nor more than 90 days before the meeting, unless any provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law prescribe a different period of notice, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting or to each stockholder who, under the Corporations charter, as amended from time to time (the Charter) or under these Bylaws, is entitled to such notice, by delivering such notice, by mailing it, postage prepaid, addressed to such stockholder at the address of such stockholder as it appears on the Corporations stock transfer books, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article I or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.
Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article I, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article I) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.
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Section 5. Organization and Conduct . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by the Chairman of the Board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there is one, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice Presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the Secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The Secretary, or, in the Secretarys absence, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of both the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the Secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 6. Quorum. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.
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Section 7. Voting. A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. Cumulative voting is not permitted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by the charter of the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.
Section 8. Proxies. A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholders duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 9. Voting of Stock by Certain Holders. Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
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Section 10. Inspectors. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 11. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders .
(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).
(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article I) for the preceding years annual meeting (for purposes of the notice requirement of this paragraph for the Corporations 2014 annual meeting, it shall be assumed that notice of the preceding years annual meeting was mailed on April 12, 2013); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding years annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement
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of the date of such meeting is first made. The postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(3) Such stockholders notice shall set forth:
(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a Proposed Nominee ), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;
(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholders reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;
(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person:
(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the Company Securities ), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,
(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,
(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including
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any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit from changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such persons economic interest in the Company Securities, and
(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;
(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee:
(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and
(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;
(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholders notice; and
(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholders notice.
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(4) Such stockholders notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).
(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article I) for the preceding years annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(6) For purposes of this Section 11, Stockholder Associated Person of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article I for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the
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election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(c) General .
(1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.
(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.
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(3) For purposes of this Section 11, the date of the proxy statement shall have the same meaning as the date of the companys proxy statement released to shareholders as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Public announcement shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Powers. All of the powers of the Corporation shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided by the Charter or required by law.
Section 2. Number and Terms. The Board of Directors shall establish and may increase or decrease the number of directors of the Corporation, provided , that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law nor more than 15, and further provided , that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. A majority of the directors shall have been affirmatively determined by the Board to be independent, as defined and to the extent required in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve for a term of one year and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Section 3. Director Nominations . Nomination of candidates for election as directors of the Corporation at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be made (a) by, or at the direction of, a majority of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder entitled to vote at such annual meeting and has complied with Article 1, Section 11.
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Section 4. Qualification. No Director need be a stockholder of the Corporation. Unless waived by a vote of the Board of Directors, no individual may serve as a director of the Corporation if he has reached the age of 70 years at the time of election. Upon attaining the age of 70, and annually thereafter, a director shall tender a letter of proposed retirement from the Board, effective upon the expiration of such directors then-current term, and the Board shall determine whether, in light of all the circumstances, the Board should accept such proposed retirement or request that the director continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors, including any vacancy created by reason of an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VII, Section 6 of the Charter.
Section 6. Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, effective upon execution and delivery to the Corporation of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice, unless the resignation otherwise provides.
Section 7. Regular Meetings. The regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held, without other notice than this Bylaw, on the same date and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders following the close of such meeting of stockholders. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such hour, date and place as the Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time determine without other notice than such resolution.
Section 8. Executive Sessions. To ensure free and open discussion and communication among the non-management directors, the non-management directors shall meet in executive session at least twice a year with no members of management present.
Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by or at the request of a majority of the Directors, the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, the Lead Director, if one is elected, or the Chief Executive Officer. The person calling any such special meeting of the Board of Directors may fix the hour, date and place thereof.
Section 10. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the hour, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the Chief Executive Officer or such other officer designated by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the Chief Executive Officer. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director in person or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission or by telegram sent to his business or home address at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his business or home address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand delivered to such address, when read to such Director by telephone, when deposited in the mail so addressed with postage thereon prepaid, upon transmission of the message by electronic mail, upon completion of transmission of a facsimile message and receipt of a completed answer back indicating receipt or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram.
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When any Board of Directors meeting, either regular or special, is adjourned for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. It shall not be necessary to give any notice of the hour, date or place of any meeting adjourned for 30 days or less or of the business to be transacted at such meeting, other than an announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken of the hour, date and place to which the meeting is adjourned.
A written waiver of notice executed before or after a meeting by a director and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to an effective notice of the meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Charter or by these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 11. Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, except as provided in Section 10 of this Article II. Any business which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed may be transacted at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.
Section 12. Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present and subject to Section 8 of Article VII of the Charter, a majority of the Directors present may take any action on behalf of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise required by law, by the Charter or these Bylaws.
Section 13. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing. Such written consent shall be filed with the records of the proceedings of the Board of Directors and shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 14. Manner of Participation. Members of the Board of Directors or of committees elected by the Board pursuant to Section 15 of this Article II may participate in meetings of the Board or of such committees by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting for purposes of these Bylaws.
Section 15. Committees . The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office may elect from its number directors to serve on one or more committees, including an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, by the Charter or by these Bylaws, may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine or as required by law, by the Charter or by these Bylaws, any such committee may make rules for conduct of its business, but unless
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otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted so far as possible in the same manner as is provided by the Charter and by these Bylaws for the Board of Directors. Any committee to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep records of its meetings and shall report its action to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall have power to rescind any action of any committee, other than the Audit Committee, but no such rescission shall have retroactive effect. With the approval of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer may appoint such other committees consisting of such directors as the Chief Executive Officer shall select. Any recommendations of such committees appointed by the Chief Executive Officer shall be submitted to the Board of Directors.
Section 16. Compensation of Directors. Directors shall receive compensation for their services as shall be determined by a majority of the Board of Directors, provided that Directors who are serving the Corporation as officers or employees and who receive compensation for their services as such ( Employee Directors ) shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services as Directors of the Corporation; provided, however , that such Employee Directors may be paid their reasonable expenses incurred as a director.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Enumeration. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and such other officers, including without limitation a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Legal Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Accounting Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents), Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, as the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 2. Election and Appointment. At the regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall elect the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. Other officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at such regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors or at any other regular or special meeting, or other officers may be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3. Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder or a director. Any person may occupy more than one office of the Corporation at any time except the offices of President and Vice President. Any officer may be required by the Board of Directors to give bond, at the Corporations expense, for the faithful performance of his duties in such amount and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 4. Tenure . Except as otherwise provided by the Charter or by these Bylaws, each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold office until the regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Election or appointment of an officer, employee or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. The Board of Directors may,
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however, authorize the Corporation to enter into an employment contract with any officer in accordance with law, but no such contract right shall prohibit the right of the Board of Directors to remove any officer at any time in accordance with Section 6 of this Article III.
Section 5. Resignation. Any officer may resign by delivering his written resignation to the Corporation addressed to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
Section 6. Removal. If the Board of Directors in its judgment finds that the best interests of the Corporation will be served, the Board of Directors may remove any officer by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Section 7. Absence or Disability. In the event of the absence or disability of any officer, the Board of Directors may designate another officer to act temporarily in place of such absent or disabled officer.
Section 8. Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. Chief Executive Officer. The President may be the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may elect another person to be the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general supervision and control of the Corporations business and shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the stockholders.
Section 10. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of stockholders. If the Chairman of the Board is absent, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and at meetings of stockholders. The Chairman of the Board shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. If the Chairman of the Board is not the Chief Executive Officer, he shall also have such powers and perform such duties as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 11. President. If the President is not the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board and in the absence of such persons, the President shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the stockholders. If the President is not the Chief Executive Officer, he shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 12. Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. Any Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
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Section 13. Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents. Any Vice President (including any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President) and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 14. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer, unless the Board of Directors shall elect another officer to be the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and except as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may otherwise provide, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. He shall have custody of all funds, securities and valuable documents of the Corporation. He shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of a Chief Financial Officer, the office of the Treasurer shall be deemed to be the office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation whenever the signature of the Chief Financial Officer is required on any document or instrument, by the laws of the United States or any state, or elsewhere in the Bylaws, and the Treasurer shall have authority to affix his signature in such capacity.
The office of the Chief Accounting Officer shall be deemed an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation whenever the signature of an Assistant Treasurer is required on any document or instrument, by the laws of the United States or any state, or elsewhere in these Bylaws, and the Vice President of Finance and Accounting shall have authority to affix his signature in such capacity. Any Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 15. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board) in books kept for that purpose. In the absence of the Secretary from any such meeting, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation). The secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix it to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may perform the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary.
Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
Section 16. Other Powers and Duties . Subject to these Bylaws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, the officers of the Corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
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ARTICLE IV
STOCK
Section 1. Certificates of Stock . Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or by law, each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate of the stock of the Corporation in such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall bear the seal of the Corporation, if one has been adopted, and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer or President and countersigned by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. The seal of the Corporation, if one has been adopted, and any and all signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile, including those of any transfer agent or registrar. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such 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 he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue. Every certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto as is required by law.
Section 2. Transfers. Subject to any restrictions on transfer and unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, shares of stock may be transferred only on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require.
Section 3. Record Holders. Except as may otherwise be required by law, by the Charter or by these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.
It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Corporation or its transfer agent of his post office address and any changes thereto.
Section 4. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournments thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 90 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 90 days prior to any other action. In such case, only stockholders of record on such record date shall be so entitled, notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the stock transfer books of the Corporation after the record date.
If no record date is fixed:
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(a) | the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the later of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice is mailed or (ii) the 30th day before the meeting; and |
(b) | the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any rights shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. |
Section 5. Replacement of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof upon such terms as the Corporation or its transfer agent may prescribe.
Section 6. Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Corporation may serve as the transfer agent and registrar of the shares of stock, or the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, appoint one or more responsible bank, trust company or other entity as the Board of Directors may deem advisable, from time to time, to act as transfer agent and registrar of shares of stock. No certificate for shares of stock shall be valid until countersigned by the transfer agent and registered by the registrar.
Section 7. Stockholders Addresses. Every stockholder or transferee shall furnish the Secretary or a transfer agent with the address to which notice of meetings and all other notices may be served upon or mailed to such stockholder or transferee, and in default thereof, such stockholder or transferee shall not be entitled to service or mailing of any such notice.
Section 8. Repurchase of Shares of Stock. The Corporation may purchase its shares of stock and invest its assets in its own shares of stock, provided that in each case the consent of the Board of Directors shall have been obtained.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Right to Indemnification . The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law in effect from time to time, indemnify, and, without a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and, in each case, shall indemnify such person from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his status as a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or director, officer, partner or trustee of such other entity (each, an Indemnitee ). The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law in effect from time to time, provide such indemnification
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and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described above (any such person shall also be deemed to be an Indemnitee ).
Section 2. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. With the approval of the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law in effect from time to time, and to such further extent as it shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses as described in Section 1 above, to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation (each such person shall also be deemed to be an Indemnitee ).
Section 3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under this Article V is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If the Indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In any suit brought by an Indemnitee who is a present or former director to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses), it shall be a defense that such Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law. In addition, in any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Indemnitee who is a present or former director has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article V or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses conferred in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under these Bylaws, the Charter or any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Insurance . The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
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enterprise against any 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 Maryland General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each year or on such other date as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the year of its organization. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced.
Section 3. Investment Policies. The directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as they shall deem appropriate in their sole discretion.
Section 4. Execution of Instruments. All deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other obligations to be entered into by the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business without director action may be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Treasurer or any other officer, employee or agent of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may authorize.
Section 5. Voting of Securities. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Treasurer may waive notice of and act on behalf of this Corporation, or appoint another person or persons to act as proxy or attorney in fact for this Corporation with or without discretionary power and/or power of substitutions at any meeting of stockholders or stockholders of any other corporation or organization, any of whose securities are held by this Corporation.
Section 6. Resident Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a resident agent upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against the Corporation.
Section 7. Corporate Records. The original or attested copies of the Charter, Bylaws and records of all meetings of the incorporators, stockholders and the Board of Directors and the stock transfer books, which shall contain the names of all stockholders, their record addresses and the amount of stock held by each, may be kept outside the State of Maryland and shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation, at the office of its counsel or at an office of its transfer agent.
Section 8. Amendments. The exclusive power to alter, amend or repeal these bylaws, and to adopt new bylaws, shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
Section 9. Offices . The principal office of the Corporation within the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such place or places both within
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and without the State of Maryland as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
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Exhibit 10.1
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
November 5, 2013
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I INTRODUCTION |
1 | |||
1.1 Purpose |
1 | |||
1.2 Shares Subject to the Plan |
1 | |||
1.3 Administration of the Plan |
1 | |||
1.4 Amendment and Discontinuance of the Plan |
2 | |||
1.5 Granting of Awards |
2 | |||
1.6 Term of Plan |
2 | |||
1.7 Leave of Absence |
2 | |||
1.8 Definitions |
2 | |||
ARTICLE II OPTIONS |
8 | |||
2.1 Grants |
8 | |||
2.2 Calculation of Exercise Price |
8 | |||
2.3 Terms and Conditions of Options |
8 | |||
2.4 Amendment |
10 | |||
2.5 Acceleration of Vesting |
10 | |||
2.6 Other Provisions |
10 | |||
2.7 Option Repricing |
11 | |||
ARTICLE III INCENTIVE OPTIONS |
11 | |||
3.1 Eligibility |
11 | |||
3.2 Exercise Price |
11 | |||
3.3 Dollar Limitation |
11 | |||
3.4 10% Stockholder |
11 | |||
3.5 Options Not Transferable |
11 | |||
3.6 Compliance with Section 422 of the Code |
11 | |||
3.7 Limitations on Exercise |
12 | |||
3.8 Share Limitation |
12 | |||
ARTICLE IV PURCHASED STOCK |
12 | |||
4.1 Eligible Persons |
12 | |||
4.2 Purchase Price |
12 | |||
4.3 Payment of Purchase Price |
12 | |||
ARTICLE V BONUS STOCK |
12 | |||
ARTICLE VI STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AND PHANTOM STOCK |
12 | |||
6.1 Stock Appreciation Rights |
12 | |||
6.2 Phantom Stock Awards |
13 | |||
ARTICLE VII RESTRICTED STOCK |
14 | |||
7.1 Eligible Persons |
14 | |||
7.2 Restricted Period and Vesting |
14 | |||
ARTICLE VIII PERFORMANCE AWARDS |
15 | |||
8.1 Eligible Persons |
15 | |||
8.2 Performance Awards |
15 | |||
8.3 Performance Goals |
15 |
ARTICLE IX OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS |
16 | |||
ARTICLE X CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS |
17 | |||
10.1 General |
17 | |||
10.2 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards |
17 | |||
10.3 Term of Awards |
17 | |||
10.4 Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals |
17 | |||
10.5 Vested and Unvested Awards |
18 | |||
10.6 Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability |
18 | |||
10.7 Other Provisions |
18 | |||
10.8 Change of Control |
19 | |||
10.9 Ownership Limit |
20 | |||
ARTICLE XI WITHHOLDING FOR TAXES |
20 | |||
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS |
20 | |||
12.1 No Rights to Awards |
20 | |||
12.2 No Right to Employment |
21 | |||
12.3 Governing Law |
21 | |||
12.4 Severability |
21 | |||
12.5 Other Laws |
21 | |||
12.6 Stockholder Agreements |
21 | |||
12.7 No Guarantee of Tax Consequences |
21 | |||
12.8 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code |
21 | |||
12.9 Claw-back Policy |
22 |
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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PRIME, INC.
2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose. The Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan ) is intended to promote the interests of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), and its stockholders by encouraging Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors of the Company, the Advisor and each of their respective Affiliates (each term as defined below) to acquire or increase their equity interests in the Company, thereby giving them an added incentive to work toward the continued growth and success of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ) also contemplates that through the Plan, the Company, the Advisor and each of their respective Affiliates will be better able to compete for the services of the individuals needed for the continued growth and success of the Company. The Plan shall not constitute any employee benefit plan for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
1.2 Shares Subject to the Plan . The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company ( Common Stock ) that may be issued under the Plan commencing on November 5, 2013, the date the stockholders approved the Plan set forth herein, shall not exceed 850,000 shares of outstanding Common Stock.
In the event that at any time after the Effective Date the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or the like, the aggregate number and class of securities available under the Plan shall be ratably adjusted by the Committee (as defined below), whose determination shall be final and binding upon the Company and all other interested persons. In the event the number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise or payment of any Award granted under the Plan is reduced for any reason whatsoever or in the event any Award granted under the Plan can no longer under any circumstances be exercised or paid, the number of shares no longer subject to such Award shall thereupon be released from such Award and shall thereafter be available under the Plan for the grant of additional Awards. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan (i) may be treasury shares, authorized but unissued shares or, if applicable, shares acquired in the open market and (ii) shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
1.3 Administration of the Plan . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall interpret the Plan and all Awards under the Plan, shall make such rules as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan, shall make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and shall correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award under the Plan in the manner and to the extent that the Committee deems desirable to effectuate the Plan. Any action taken or determination made by the Committee pursuant to this and the other paragraphs of the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all
parties. The act or determination of a majority of the Committee shall be deemed to be the act or determination of the Committee.
1.4 Amendment and Discontinuance of the Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may, without the consent of the holder of an Award, terminate such Award or adversely affect such holders rights with respect to such Award in any material respect; provided further, however, that any amendment which would constitute a material revision of the Plan (as that term is used in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange) shall be subject to stockholder approval.
1.5 Granting of Awards. The Committee shall have the authority to grant, prior to the expiration date of the Plan, Awards to such Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors as may be selected by it on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in the Plan. In selecting the persons to receive Awards, including the type and size of the Award, the Committee may consider any factors that it may deem relevant.
1.6 Term of Plan . The Plan shall be effective as of November 5, 2013 (the Effective Date ), the date of approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company. The provisions of the Plan are applicable to all Awards granted on or after the Effective Date. If not sooner terminated under the provisions of Section 1.4 , the Plan shall terminate upon, and no further Awards shall be made, after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
1.7 Leave of Absence. If an employee of the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates is on military, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, such person shall be considered an Employee for purposes of an outstanding Award during the period of such leave provided it does not exceed ninety (90) days, or, if longer, so long as the persons right to reemployment is guaranteed either by statute or by contract. If the period of leave exceeds ninety (90) days, such person shall be deemed to no longer be an Employee for purposes of an outstanding Award on the 91st day of such leave, unless the persons right to reemployment is guaranteed by statute or contract.
1.8 Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
1934 Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Advisor means Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with any successors and assigns.
Affiliate means (i) Remington, (ii) any entity in which the Company, the Advisor or Remington, directly or indirectly, owns 10% or more of the combined voting power, as determined by the Committee, (iii) any parent corporation of the Company, the Advisor or Remington (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code), (iv) any subsidiary corporation of any such parent corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company, the Advisor or Remington and (v) any trades or businesses, whether or not incorporated which are members
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of a controlled group or are under common control (as defined in Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Code) with the Company, the Advisor or Remington.
Awards means, collectively, Options, Purchased Stock, Bonus Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Phantom Stock, Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards.
Bonus Stock is defined in Article V.
Cause for termination of any Participant who is a party to an agreement of employment with or services to the Company or the Advisor shall mean termination for Cause as such term is defined in such agreement, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. If such agreement does not define Cause or if a Participant is not a party to such an agreement, Cause means (i) the willful commission by a Participant of a criminal or other act that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates; (ii) the commission by a Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of such Participants duties on behalf of the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates; or (iii) the continuing willful failure of a Participant to perform the duties of such Participant to the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates (other than such failure resulting from the Participants incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after written notice thereof (specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail) and a reasonable opportunity to be heard and cure such failure are given to the Participant by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the Participants part shall be considered willful unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participants action or omission was in the best interest of the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates, as the case may be.
Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following events:
(i) any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act, and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act) other than (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) Remington, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, (D) a company owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (E) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that an initial public offering of Common Stock shall not constitute a Change of Control;
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(ii) the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company or one of its subsidiaries with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company;
(iii) the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(iv) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board ) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election by the Board, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.
Further, in the case of any item of income under an Award to which the foregoing definition would otherwise apply with the effect that the income tax under Section 409A of the Code would apply or be imposed on income under that Award, but where such tax would not apply or be imposed if the meaning of the term Change of Control met the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, then the term Change of Control herein shall mean, but only with respect to the income so affected, a transaction, circumstance or event that constitutes a Change of Control (as defined above) and that also constitutes a change in control event within the meaning of Treas. Reg. §1.409A3(i)(5).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Committee means the compensation committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan or, if none, the Board; provided however, that with respect to any Award granted to a Covered Employee which is intended to be performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board,
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each of whom qualifies as both an outside director as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i) of the Code and a non-employee director within the meaning of Section 16b-3 under the 1934 Act.
Consultant means any individual, other than a Director or an Employee, who renders consulting or advisory services to the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates.
Covered Employee shall mean those employees of the Company who are covered employees as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.
Disability means an inability to perform the Participants material services for the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable, for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or a total of one hundred eighty (180) days, during any 365-day period, in either case as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness, which is determined to be total and permanent. A determination of Disability shall be made by a physician satisfactory to both the Participant (or his guardian) and the Company, provided that if the Participant (or his guardian) and the Company do not agree on a physician, the Participant and the Company shall each select a physician and these two together shall select a third physician, whose determination as to Disability shall be binding on all parties. Eligibility for disability benefits under any policy for long-term disability benefits provided to the Participant by the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective affiliates shall conclusively establish the Participants disability. If a Disability constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A, then, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, the Participant must also be considered disabled within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code.
Employee means any employee of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates.
Employment includes any period in which a Participant is an Employee or a paid Consultant to the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates.
Fair Market Value or FMV Per Share . The Fair Market Value or FMV Per Share of the Common Stock shall be the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange or over-the-counter market, if applicable, for the date of the determination or, if no trade of the Common Stock shall have been reported for such date, the closing sales price quoted on such exchange for the most recent trade prior to the determination date. If shares of the Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any exchange, over-the-counter market or any similar organization as of the determination date, the FMV Per Share shall be determined by the Committee in good faith using any fair and reasonable means selected in its discretion.
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Good Reason means termination of employment by an Employee, termination of service by a Consultant or resignation from the Board of a Non-Employee Director under any of the following circumstances:
(i) if such Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director is a party to an agreement for employment with or service to the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, which agreement includes a definition of Good Reason for termination of employment with or service to the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, Good Reason shall have the same definition for purposes of the Plan as is set forth in such agreement, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) if such Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director is not a party to an agreement with the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates that defines the term Good Reason, such term shall mean termination of employment or service under any of the following circumstances, if the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable, fails to cure such circumstances within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the Participant setting forth a description of such Good Reason:
(a) the removal from or failure to re-elect the Participant to the office or position in which he or she last served;
(b) any material diminishment, on a cumulative basis, of the Participants overall duties, responsibilities, or status, including the assignment to the Participant of any duties, responsibilities, or reporting requirements materially inconsistent with his or her position with the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates, as applicable;
(c) a material reduction by the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates in the Participants fees, compensation, or benefits that is not part of a reduction affecting all members of the management team or Board; or
(d) the requirement by the Company, the Advisor or one of their respective Affiliates that the principal place of business at which the Participant performs his or her duties be changed to a location more than fifty (50) miles from downtown Dallas, Texas.
Incentive Option means any option which satisfies the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and is granted pursuant to Article III of the Plan.
Non-Employee Director means persons who are members of the Board but who are neither Employees nor Consultants of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates.
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Non-Qualified Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and which is granted pursuant to Article II of the Plan.
Option means an option to acquire Common Stock granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, and refers to either an Incentive Option or a Non-Qualified Option, or both, as applicable.
Optionee means a Participant who has received or will receive an Option.
Option Expiration Date means the date determined by Committee which shall not be more than ten (10) years after the date of grant of an Option.
Other Stock-Based Award means an award granted pursuant to Article IX of the Plan that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Common Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, rights convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, purchase rights for Common Stock, Awards with value and payment and/or settlement contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the value of Common Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries.
Outstanding Company Common Stock means, as of any date of determination, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Outstanding Company Voting Securities means, as of any date of determination, the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally on the election of directors.
Participant means any Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director granted an Award under the Plan.
Performance Award means an Award granted pursuant to Article VIII of the Plan, which, if earned, shall be payable in shares of Common Stock, cash or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee.
Phantom Stock means an Award of the right to receive cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified deferral period which is granted pursuant to Article VI of the Plan.
Purchased Stock is defined in Section 4.1 .
Remington means Remington Lodging & Hospitality LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its affiliates.
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Restricted Period shall mean the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award either remains subject to forfeiture or is not exercisable by the Participant.
Restricted Stock shall mean any share of Common Stock, prior to the lapse of restrictions thereon, granted under Article VII of the Plan.
Stock Appreciation Rights means an Award granted pursuant to Article VI of the Plan.
ARTICLE II
OPTIONS
2.1 Grants . The Committee may grant Options to purchase shares of Common Stock to any Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director of the Company according to the terms set forth below. Options which are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A) or any successor regulation, may be granted only to Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors of the Company or a corporation or other type of entity in a chain of corporations or other entities in which each corporation or other entity has a controlling interest in another corporation or entity in the chain, starting with the Company and ending with the corporation or other entity for which such Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director performs services. For these purposes, controlling interest means (i) in the case of a corporation, ownership of stock possessing at least 50% of total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote or at least 50% of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such corporation; (ii) in the case of a partnership, ownership of at least 50% of the profits interest or capital interest of such partnership; (iii) in the case of a sole proprietorship, ownership of the sole proprietorship; or (iv) in the case of a trust or estate, ownership of an actuarial interest (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(ii)) of at least 50% of such trust or estate. The Committee may grant Options that are otherwise exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A to any eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director.
2.2 Calculation of Exercise Price . The exercise price to be paid for each share of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of each Option granted under this Article II shall not be less than the FMV Per Share on the date of grant of such Option. The exercise price for each Option granted under Article II shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.3(d) .
2.3 Terms and Conditions of Options . Options shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and may contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with this Article II, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
(a) Option Period and Conditions and Limitations on Exercise . No Option shall be exercisable later than the Option Expiration Date. To the extent not prohibited by other provisions of the Plan, each Option shall be exercisable at such time or times as the Committee in its discretion may determine at the time such Option is granted.
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(b) Manner of Exercise . In order to exercise an Option, the Participant entitled to exercise it shall deliver to the Company payment in full for the shares being purchased, together with any required withholding taxes. The payment of the exercise price for each Option shall either be (i) in cash or by check payable and acceptable to the Company, (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by tendering to the Company shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant for more than six months having an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise that is not greater than the full exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and by paying any remaining amount of the exercise price as provided in (i) above, (iii) subject to such conditions and requirements as the Committee may specify, at the written request of the Participant, by the Companys withholding from shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the exercise of the Option shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise that is not greater than the full exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and by paying any remaining amount of the exercise price as provided in (i) above, or (iv) subject to such instructions as the Committee may specify, at the Participants written request the Company may deliver certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the Option is being exercised to a broker for sale on behalf of the Participant, provided that the Participant has irrevocably instructed such broker to remit directly to the Company on the Participants behalf the full amount of the exercise price from the proceeds of such sale. In the event that the Participant elects to make payment as allowed under clause (ii) above, the Committee may, upon confirming that the Participant owns the number of additional shares being tendered, authorize the issuance of a new certificate for the number of shares being acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Option less the number of shares being tendered upon the exercise and return to the Participant (or not require surrender of) the certificate for the shares being tendered upon the exercise. If the Committee so requires, such Participant shall also deliver a written representation that all shares being purchased are being acquired for investment and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution of such shares.
(c) Options not Transferable . Except as provided below, no Non-Qualified Option granted hereunder shall be transferable other than by (i) will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) pursuant to a domestic relations order and, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom any such Option is granted, and it shall be exercisable only by the Participant (or his or her guardian). Any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, or to subject to execution, attachment or similar process, any Option granted hereunder, or any right thereunder, contrary to the provisions hereof, shall be void and ineffective, shall give no right to the purported transferee, and shall, at the sole discretion of the Committee, result in forfeiture of the Option with respect to the shares involved in such attempt. With respect to a specific Non-Qualified Option, the Participant (or his or her guardian) may transfer, for estate planning purposes, all or part of such Option to one or more immediate family members or related family trusts or partnerships or similar entities.
(d) Adjustment of Options . In the event that at any time after the Effective Date the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or the like, the Committee shall make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number and kind of shares as to which all outstanding Options granted, or portions thereof then unexercised, shall be
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exercisable, to the end that after such event the shares subject to the Plan and each Participants proportionate interest shall be maintained as before the occurrence of such event. Such adjustment in an outstanding Option shall be made without change in the total price applicable to the Option or the unexercised portion of the Option (except for any change in the aggregate price resulting from rounding-off of share quantities or prices) and with any necessary corresponding adjustment in exercise price per share. Any such adjustment made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested persons.
(e) Listing and Registration of Shares . Each Option shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Committee determines, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of the shares subject to such Option under any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the issue or purchase of shares thereunder, such Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained and the same shall have been free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.
2.4 Amendment . The Committee may, without the consent of the Participant or Participants entitled to exercise any outstanding Option, amend, modify or terminate such Option; provided, however, such amendment, modification or termination shall not, without such Participants consent, reduce or diminish the value of such Option determined as if the Option had been exercised, vested, cashed in or otherwise settled on the date of such amendment or termination. The Committee may at any time or from time to time, in its discretion, in the case of any Option which is not then immediately exercisable in full, accelerate the time or times at which such Option may be exercised to any earlier time or times.
2.5 Acceleration of Vesting . Any Option granted hereunder which is not otherwise vested shall vest (unless specifically provided to the contrary by the Committee in the document or instrument evidencing an Option granted hereunder) upon (i) termination or removal of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director without Cause or termination by or resignation of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director with Good Reason; (ii) termination, removal or resignation of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director for any reason within one (1) year from the effective date of the Change of Control; or death or Disability of the Participant.
2.6 Other Provisions .
(a) A Participant entitled to exercise, or who has exercised, an Option shall not be entitled to any rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to such Option until he or she shall have become the holder of record of such shares.
(b) No Option granted hereunder shall be construed as limiting any right which the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates may have to terminate at any time, with or without Cause, the employment or service of any Participant to whom such Option has been granted.
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(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or the terms of any Option, the Company shall not be required to issue any shares hereunder if such issuance would, in the judgment of the Committee, constitute a violation of any state or federal law or of the rules or regulations of any governmental regulatory body.
2.7 Option Repricing. With stockholder approval only, the Committee, in its absolute discretion, may grant to holders of outstanding Non-Qualified Options, in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of such Non-Qualified Options, new Non-Qualified Options having exercise prices lower (or higher with any required consent) than the exercise price provided in the Non-Qualified Options so surrendered and canceled and containing such other terms and conditions as the Committee may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE III
INCENTIVE OPTIONS
The terms specified below shall be applicable to all Incentive Options. Except as modified by the provisions of this Article III, all the provisions of Article II shall be applicable to Incentive Options. Options which are specifically designated as Non-Qualified Options shall not be subject to the terms of this Article III.
3.1 Eligibility . Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees of the Company.
3.2 Exercise Price . The exercise price per Share shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV Per Share on the option grant date.
3.3 Dollar Limitation . The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of shares of Common Stock for which one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any other option plan of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary thereof) may for the first time become exercisable as Incentive Options during any one (1) calendar year shall not exceed the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). To the extent the Employee holds two (2) or more such options which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted.
3.4 10% Stockholder . If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option is granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the exercise price per share shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the FMV Per Share on the option grant date and the option term shall not exceed five (5) years measured from the option grant date.
3.5 Options Not Transferable . No Incentive Option granted hereunder shall be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the Optionees lifetime only by such Optionee.
3.6 Compliance with Section 422 of the Code . All Options that are intended to be Incentive Options shall be designated as such in the Option grant and in all respects shall be issued in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.
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3.7 Limitations on Exercise. No Incentive Option shall be exercisable more than three (3) months after the Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Disability, or more than one (1) year after the Optionee ceases to be an Employee due to death or Disability.
3.8 Share Limitation. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Options may be granted under the Plan is 850,000 shares of Common Stock.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASED STOCK
4.1 Eligible Persons . The Committee shall have the authority to authorize the sale of shares of Common Stock ( Purchased Stock ) to such Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors of the Company, the Advisor or their respective Affiliates as may be selected by it, on such terms and conditions as it may establish, subject to the further provisions of this Article IV. Each issuance and sale of Purchased Stock under this Plan shall be evidenced by an agreement which shall be subject to applicable provisions of this Plan and to such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan as the Committee may approve for the particular sale transaction.
4.2 Purchase Price . The price per share of Purchased Stock under this Plan shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, and may be less than, but shall not be greater than the FMV Per Share at the time of purchase.
4.3 Payment of Purchase Price . Payment of the purchase price for Purchased Stock under this Plan shall be made in full in cash or by check payable and acceptable to the Company.
ARTICLE V
BONUS STOCK
The Committee may, from time to time and subject to the provisions of the Plan, grant shares of Bonus Stock to Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates. Bonus Stock shall be shares of Common Stock that are not subject to a Restricted Period under Article VII.
ARTICLE VI
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AND PHANTOM STOCK
6.1 Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors of the Company on the following terms and conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights which are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(B) or any successor regulation, may be granted only to Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors of the Company or a corporation or other type of entity in a chain of corporations or other entities in which each corporation or other entity has a controlling interest in another corporation or entity in the chain, starting with the Company and ending with the corporation or other entity for which such Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director performs services. For these purposes,
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controlling interest means (i) in the case of a corporation, ownership of stock possessing at least 50% of total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote or at least 50% of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such corporation; (ii) in the case of a partnership, ownership of at least 50% of the profits interest or capital interest of such partnership; (iii) in the case of a sole proprietorship, ownership of the sole proprietorship; or (iv) in the case of a trust or estate, ownership of an actuarial interest (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(ii)) of at least 50% of such trust or estate. The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights that are otherwise exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A to any eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director.
(a) Right to Payment . A Stock Appreciation Right shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the FMV Per Share on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as determined by the Committee.
(b) Rights Related to Options . A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise thereof, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount computed pursuant to Section 6.1(a) . That Option shall then cease to be exercisable to the extent surrendered. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option shall be exercisable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) except to the extent that the related Option is transferable.
(c) Right Without Option . A Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall be exercisable as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award agreement governing the Stock Appreciation Right.
(d) Terms . The Committee shall determine at the date of grant the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the method of exercise, whether or not a Stock Appreciation Right shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right. The grant price per each Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.
6.2 Phantom Stock Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant Phantom Stock to the Participants, which are rights to receive cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Award and Restrictions. Satisfaction of Phantom Stock shall occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Phantom Stock by the Committee or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant. In addition, Phantom Stock shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture), if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified
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times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine.
(b) Forfeiture . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or as may be set forth in any Award, employment or other agreement pertaining to awards of Phantom Stock, upon termination of employment or services during the applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply, all Phantom Stock that is at that time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the Participant) shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Phantom Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Phantom Stock.
(c) Performance Goals . To the extent the Committee determines that Phantom Stock granted pursuant to this Article VI shall constitute performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the grant or settlement of Phantom Stock shall, in the Committees discretion, be subject to the achievement of performance goals determined and applied in a manner consistent with Section 8.2 .
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTED STOCK
7.1 Eligible Persons . All Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible for grants of Restricted Stock.
7.2 Restricted Period and Vesting .
(a) Unless the Award specifically provides otherwise, Restricted Stock shall be subject to restrictions on transfer by the Participant and repurchase by the Company such that the Participant shall not be permitted to transfer such shares and the Company shall have the right to repurchase or recover such shares for the lesser of the FMV Per Share on the forfeiture day or the amount of cash paid therefor, if any, if the Participant shall terminate employment from or services to the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable, provided that such transfer and repurchase restrictions shall lapse with respect to 33.33% of such initial shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and on each subsequent anniversary of the date of grant that the Participant shall remain continuously as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, as applicable; subject to Section 7.2(b) below.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Award specifically provides otherwise, all Restricted Stock not otherwise vested shall vest upon (i) termination or removal of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director without Cause; (ii) termination by or resignation of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director with Good Reason; (iii) termination, resignation or removal of an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director for any reason within one (1) year from the effective date of a Change of Control; or (iv) death or Disability of the Participant.
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(c) Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, during the Restricted Period, shall be left in deposit with the Company and a stock power endorsed in blank. The grantee of Restricted Stock shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares including the right to vote and the right to receive dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to such shares. Any certificate or certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock shall bear a legend similar to the following:
The shares represented by this certificate have been issued pursuant to the terms of the Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and Grant of Restricted Stock dated , 20 and may not be sold, pledged, transferred, assigned or otherwise encumbered in any manner except as is set forth in the terms of such plan or grant.
ARTICLE VIII
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
8.1 Eligible Persons . All Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible for grants of Performance Awards.
8.2 Performance Awards . The Committee may grant Performance Awards based on performance criteria measured over a period of not less than one year and not more than three (3) years. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to increase the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Section 8.3 in the case of a Performance Award granted to a Covered Employee.
8.3 Performance Goals . The grant and/or settlement of a Performance Award shall be contingent upon terms set forth in this Section 8.3 .
(a) General . The performance goals for Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee. In the case of any Award granted to a Covered Employee which are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, performance goals shall be designed to be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder (including Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27 and successor regulations thereto), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee are such that the achievement of performance goals is substantially uncertain at the time of grant. The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to the grant and/or settlement of such Performance Awards. Performance goals may differ among Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or for Performance Awards granted to different Participants.
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(b) Business Criteria . One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, an a consolidated basis, and/or for specified subsidiaries, divisions or business or geographical units of the Company (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for Performance Awards granted to a Participant: (A) earnings per share; (B) increase in revenues; (C) increase in cash flow; (D) increase in cash flow return; (E) return on net assets; (F) return on assets; (G) return on investment; (H) return on capital; (I) return on equity; (J) economic value added; (K) gross margin; (L) net income; (M) pretax earnings; (N) pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization; (O) pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before incentives, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; (P) operating income; (Q) total stockholder return; (R) debt reduction; and (S) any of the above goals determined on an absolute or relative basis or as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index or a group of comparable companies.
(c) Performance Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals . Achievement of performance goals in respect of Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of not less than one year and not more than three (3) years, as specified by the Committee. Performance goals in the case of any Award granted to a Participant shall be established not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(d) Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms . After the end of each performance period, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of Performance Awards payable to each Participant based upon achievement of business criteria over a performance period. The Committee may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable in respect of a Performance Award designed to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. Subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(2)(v), the Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of Performance Awards.
(e) Written Determinations . All determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award, and the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance Awards shall be made in writing in the case of any Award granted to a Participant. The Committee may not delegate any responsibility relating to such Performance Awards.
ARTICLE IX
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates Other Stock-Based Awards, which shall consist of a right which (i) is not an Award described in any other Article and (ii) is denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, securities
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convertible into shares of Common Stock) or cash as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award.
ARTICLE X
CERTAIN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS
10.1 General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may amend any Award without the consent of the holder if the Committee deems it necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences to the holder under Section 409A of the Code. The Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate or waive, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under this Plan; provided, however, that the Committee shall not have discretion to accelerate or waive any term or condition of an Award (i) if such discretion would cause the Award to have adverse tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code, or (ii) if the Award is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and such discretion would cause the Award not to so qualify. Except in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of the Maryland General Corporation Law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant of any Award.
10.2 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. Subject to Section 2.7 , Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, the Advisor, any of their respective Affiliates, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates. Such additional, tandem and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates.
10.3 Term of Awards. The term or Restricted Period of each Award that is an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock or Restricted Stock shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided that in no event shall the term of any such Award exceed a period of ten (10) years (or such shorter terms as may be require in respect of an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code).
10.4 Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a
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subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award, or settlement of an Award may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award may, subject to any limitations set forth in the Award agreement, be accelerated and cash paid in lieu of shares in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events; provided, however, that such discretion may not be exercised by the Committee if the exercise of such discretion would result in adverse tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. In the discretion of the Committee, Awards granted pursuant to Article VI or VIII of the Plan may be payable in shares to the extent permitted by the terms of the applicable Award agreement. Installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee (subject to Section 1.4 of the Plan, including the consent provisions thereof in the case of any deferral of an outstanding Award not provided for in the original Award agreement) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee; provided, however, that no deferral shall be required or permitted by the Committee if such deferral would result in adverse tax consequences to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in shares. Any deferral shall only be allowed as is provided in a separate deferred compensation plan adopted by the Company.
10.5 Vested and Unvested Awards. After the satisfaction of all of the terms and conditions set by the Committee with respect to an Award of (i) Restricted Stock, a certificate, without the legend set forth in Section 7.2(c) , for the number of shares that are no longer subject to such restrictions, terms and conditions shall be delivered to the Participant, (ii) Phantom Stock, to the extent not paid in cash, a certificate for the number of shares equal to the number of shares of Phantom Stock earned, and (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights or Performance Awards, cash and/or a certificate for the number of shares equal in value to the number of Stock Appreciation Rights or amount of Performance Awards vested shall be delivered to the Participant. Upon termination, resignation or removal of a Participant under circumstances that do not cause such Participant to become fully vested, any remaining unvested Options, shares of Restricted Stock, Phantom Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards, as the case may be, shall either be forfeited back to the Company or, if appropriate under the terms of the Award, shall continue to be subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions set by the Committee with respect to such Award.
10.6 Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act shall be exempt from Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged by the Participant in writing to be non-exempt). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act.
10.7 Other Provisions. No grant of any Award shall be construed as limiting any right which the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates may have to terminate
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at any time, with or without cause, the employment of any person to whom such Award has been granted.
10.8 Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the following provisions shall apply.
(a) General . Unless otherwise provided in the Award, in connection with a Change of Control, the Board shall have the authority in its sole discretion to take any one or more of the following actions with respect to the Awards:
(i) the Board may accelerate vesting of all Awards and, with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the time at which all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights then outstanding may be exercised or paid so that all Awards may be fully vested and exercised or paid in full for a limited period of time on or before a specified date fixed by the Board or the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Awards, if any, and all rights of the Participants thereunder shall terminate, or the Board or the Committee may accelerate vesting or payment and the time at which such Awards may be exercised or paid so that such Awards may be exercised or paid in full for their then remaining term;
(ii) the Board may waive, alter and/or amend the performance goals and other restrictions and conditions of Awards then outstanding, with the result that the affected Awards may be deemed vested, and the Restricted Period or other limitations on payment in full with respect thereto shall be deemed to have expired, as of the date of the Change of Control or such other date as may be determined by the Board;
(iii) the Board may cause the acquirer to assume the Plan and the Awards or exchange the Awards for awards for the acquirers stock;
(iv) the Board may terminate the Plan; and
(v) the Board may terminate and cancel all outstanding unvested or unexercised Awards as of the date of the Change of Control on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate.
Notwithstanding the above provisions of this Section 10.8(a) , the Board shall not be required to take any action described in the preceding provisions of this Section 10.8(a) , and any decision made by the Board, in its sole discretion, not to take some or all of the actions described in the preceding provisions of this Section 10.8(a) shall be final, binding and conclusive with respect to the Company and all other interested persons.
(b) Right to Cash-Out . The Board shall, in connection with a Change of Control, have the right to require all, but not less than all, Participants to transfer and deliver to the Company all Awards previously granted to the Participants in exchange for an amount equal to the Cash Value (as defined below) of the Awards. Such right shall be exercised by written notice to all affected Participants. The amount payable to each Participant by the Company shall be in cash or by certified check paid within five (5) days following the transfer and delivery of such Award (but in no event later than fifty (50) days following the date of the Change of Control)
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and shall be reduced by any taxes required to be withheld. Cash Value of an Award means the sum of (i) in the case of any Award which is not an Option or an Award of Restricted Stock, the value of all benefits to which the Participant would be entitled as if the Award were vested and settled or exercised and (ii) (A) in the case of any Award that is an Option, the excess of the FMV Per Share over the exercise price or (B) in the case of an Award of Restricted Stock, the FMV Per Share of Restricted Stock, multiplied by the number of shares subject to such Award, all as determined by the Board as of the date of the Change of Control or such other date as may be determined by the Board.
10.9 Ownership Limit. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or the terms of any Awards, the Company shall not be required to, and shall not, issue any Awards hereunder if such issuance would cause the Company to violate the Ownership Limits set forth in its Articles of Amendment and Restatement. As used herein and in the Companys Articles of Amendment and Restatement, the term Ownership Limit means (i) with respect to any class or series shares of Common Stock, 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class or series of Common Stock of the Company and (ii) with respect to any class or series of shares of preferred stock or other stock, 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class or series of preferred stock or other stock of the Company.
ARTICLE XI
WITHHOLDING FOR TAXES
Any issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option or payment of any other Award under the Plan shall not be made until appropriate arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made for the payment of any tax amounts (federal, state, local or other) that may be required to be withheld or paid by the Company with respect thereto. Such arrangements may, at the discretion of the Committee, include allowing the person to tender to the Company shares of Common Stock owned by the person, or to request the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award, whether through the exercise of an Option or as a distribution pursuant to the Award, which have an aggregate FMV Per Share as of the date of such withholding that is not greater than the sum of all tax amounts to be withheld with respect thereto, together with payment of any remaining portion of such tax amounts in cash or by check payable and acceptable to the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the date of an event giving rise to a tax withholding obligation on the part of the Company the person is an officer or individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such person may direct that such tax withholding be effectuated by the Company withholding the necessary number of shares of Common Stock (at the tax rate required by the Code) from such Award payment or exercise.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 No Rights to Awards. No Participant or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or holders
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or beneficiaries of Awards and the terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
12.2 No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates. Further, the Company, the Advisor or any of their respective Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award agreement.
12.3 Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to any principles of conflicts of law.
12.4 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is, becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Participant or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Participant or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
12.5 Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance of transfer or such shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law.
12.6 Stockholder Agreements. The Committee may condition the grant, exercise or payment of any Award upon such person entering into a stockholders agreement in such form as approved from time to time by the Board.
12.7 No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. Each Participant shall be solely responsible for and liable for any tax consequences (including but not limited to any interest or penalties) as a result of his or her participation in the Plan. None of the Board, the Company or the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to any person participating or eligible to participate hereunder and assumes no liability whatsoever for the tax consequences to the Participants.
12.8 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Certain items of compensation paid pursuant to this Plan are or may be subject to Section 409A of the Code. In such instances, this Plan is intended to comply and shall be administered in a manner that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Subject to any other restrictions or limitations contained herein, in the event that a specified employee (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) becomes entitled to a payment under the Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code on account of a separation from service (as defined under Section 409A of the Code), such payment shall not occur until the date that is six months plus one day from the date of such separation from service. In the
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event that a Participant becomes entitled to a payment under the Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code on account of a termination of employment, such termination of employment must also constitute a separation from service (as defined under Section 409A of the Code).
12.9 Claw-back Policy. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate, as applicable, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of any federal or state laws and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award agreement.
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