As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2013

Registration Statement No.             

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

SYSCO CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   74-1648137
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)

1390 Enclave Parkway

Houston, Texas 77077-2099

(Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices)

Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Russell T. Libby

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

1390 Enclave Parkway

Houston, Texas 77077-2099

(281) 584-1390

(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copy to:

B. Joseph Alley, Jr., Esq.

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

171 17 th Street, NW

Suite 2100

Atlanta, Georgia 30363-1031

(404) 873-8500

 

 

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of securities

to be registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per share(2)

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price(2)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

               

New Shares (3)

  45,000,000 shares    $32.97    $1,483,650,000    $191,094.12 

Carryover Shares (4)

  10,600,000 shares    $32.97    $349,482,000    $45,013.28 

Total

  55,600,000 shares    $32.97    $1,833,132,000    $236,107.40 

 

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the shares being registered hereunder include an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be issued to adjust the number of shares issued pursuant to the plan described herein as the result of any future stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of Registrant’s outstanding Common Stock.
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on November 8, 2013 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
(3) The New Shares are shares of common stock of the Registrant that are newly available for issuance pursuant to the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
(4) The Carryover Shares are shares of common stock that were previously registered for offer and sale under the Sysco Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-163188) and were available for issuance, but not subject to outstanding awards, under the 2007 Plan as of November 15, 2013. As of the effective date of the Plan, the Carryover Shares are now available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 1.1 of the Plan.

 

 

 


PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

The following documents are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement:

 

  (a) Sysco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2013;

 

  (b) Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2013;

 

  (c) Sysco’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2013 and October 24, 2013;

 

  (d) The description of Sysco’s common stock contained in Sysco’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description, including Sysco’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2000 and the description of Sysco’s common stock contained in Sysco’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2012, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

  (e) All documents subsequently filed by Sysco pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement that indicates that all of the shares of common stock offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document, which is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference, herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock covered by this Registration Statement are being passed upon for Sysco by Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, Georgia. Jonathan Golden, the sole stockholder of Jonathan Golden P.C. (a partner of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP), is a director of Sysco. As of November 12, 2013, attorneys with Arnall Golden Gregory LLP involved in the preparation of this Registration Statement beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 1,659 shares of Sysco’s common stock.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Charter and Bylaws.  Sysco’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for indemnification of Sysco’s directors and officers against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law (except that, generally, indemnification is not available for proceedings brought by the director or officer). This indemnification extends also to directors or officers who serve as agents for any entity at Sysco’s request, including, for example, persons who serve as agents for Sysco’s employee benefit plans. In addition, Sysco’s Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision eliminating, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty. Sysco may also advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending a proceeding before the final disposition of the proceeding so long as the officer or director undertakes

 

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to repay the advanced amounts in the event it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified. Sysco may only advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer and not in any other capacity, such as service to an employee benefit plan. Sysco’s Bylaws provide that rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses are deemed to have fully vested at the time the indemnitee assumes his or her position with Sysco.

Delaware Law.  Delaware General Corporation Law currently requires Sysco to indemnify a director or officer for all expenses incurred by him or her (including attorney’s fees) when he or she is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any proceeding brought by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Sysco. In addition, with respect to all proceedings other than proceedings by or in the right of the corporation, Delaware law allows Sysco to indemnify a director or officer against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, even if the director or officer is not successful on the merits, if he or she:

 

    acted in good faith;

 

    acted in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and

 

    in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Sysco may indemnify directors and officers with respect to proceedings brought by or in the right of the corporation to the same extent as with respect to other proceedings, except that if the director or officer is held liable to Sysco in the proceeding, then Sysco may not indemnify the director or officer unless a court determines that even though he or she was held liable to Sysco, the officer or director is nonetheless fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

Except for indemnification mandated by law or ordered by a court, Sysco may not indemnify an agent without a formal determination that the required criteria have been met. In the case of officers and directors, the determination must be made by a majority of the disinterested directors (or a committee appointed by them), independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or the stockholders.

Sysco may advance expenses incurred by a current officer or director in defending a proceeding before the final disposition of the proceeding, if the officer or director undertakes to repay the advanced amounts in the event it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified. Sysco may advance expenses to other agents upon whatever terms and conditions it deems appropriate.

Plan Provisions.  Certain of Sysco’s employee benefit plans provide indemnification of directors and other agents against certain claims arising from administration of such plans.

D&O Insurance.  Sysco maintains liability insurance for its directors and officers covering, subject to certain exceptions, any actual or alleged negligent act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty by such directors or officers, individually or collectively, in the discharge of their duties in their capacity as directors and officers of the Registrant.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 29, 1985, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Sysco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).
4.2    Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated November 9, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000).    

 

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  4.3    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 9, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(e) to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2003).
  4.4    Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Sysco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).
  4.5    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sysco Corporation dated November 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2011).
  5.1*    Opinion of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP regarding legality of securities being registered
15.1*    Letter from Ernst & Young LLP re: Unaudited Financial Statements
23.1*    Consent of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto)    
23.2*    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1*    Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
99.1*    Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

* Filed herewith.

Item 9. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange

 

II-3


Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on November 15, 2013.

 

SYSCO CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William J. DeLaney

 

William J. DeLaney

President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints William J. DeLaney and Russell T. Libby and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

****

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE, FINANCIAL & ACCOUNTING OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS :

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ William J. DeLaney

   President, Chief Executive Officer    November 15, 2013
William J. DeLaney   

and Director (Principal Executive

Officer)

  

/s/ Robert C. Kreidler

   Executive Vice President and Chief    November 15, 2013
Robert C. Kreidler   

Financial Officer (Principal

Financial Officer)

  

/s/ G. Mitchell Elmer

   Senior Vice President, Controller    November 15, 2013
G. Mitchell Elmer   

and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  

/s/ John M. Cassaday

   Director    November 15, 2013
John M. Cassaday      

/s/ Judith B. Craven

   Director    November 15, 2013
Judith B. Craven      

/s/ Larry C. Glasscock

   Director    November 15, 2013
Larry C. Glasscock      

/s/ Jonathan Golden

   Director    November 15, 2013
Jonathan Golden      

 

II-7


/s/ Joseph A. Hafner, Jr.

   Director    November 15, 2013
Joseph A. Hafner, Jr.      

/s/ Hans-Joachim Koerber

   Director    November 15, 2013
Hans-Joachim Koerber      

/s/ Nancy S. Newcomb

   Director    November 15, 2013
Nancy S. Newcomb      

/s/ Richard G. Tilghman

   Director    November 15, 2013
Richard G. Tilghman      

/s/ Jackie M. Ward

   Director    November 15, 2013
Jackie M. Ward      

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

  4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 29, 1985, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Sysco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997).
  4.2    Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated November 9, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000).
  4.3    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 9, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(e) to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2003).
  4.4    Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Sysco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996).
  4.5    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sysco Corporation dated November 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Sysco’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2011).
  5.1*    Opinion of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP regarding legality of securities being registered
15.1*    Letter from Ernst & Young LLP re: Unaudited Financial Statements
23.1*    Consent of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2*    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1*    Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
99.1*    Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

* Filed herewith.

 

II-9

Exhibit 5.1

ARNALL GOLDEN GREGORY LLP

171 17 TH STREET, NW

SUITE 2100

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30363-1031

TELEPHONE (404) 873-8500 – FACSIMILE (404) 873-8501

November 15, 2013

Sysco Corporation

1390 Enclave Parkway

Houston, Texas 77077-2099

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is rendered in connection with the proposed issue and sale by Sysco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of up to 55,600,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value (the “Shares”), issued under the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the prospectus utilized in connection therewith. We have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company.

In rendering the opinion contained herein, we have relied in part upon examination of the Company’s corporate records, documents, certificates and other instruments and the examination of such questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, upon receipt in full of the consideration provided in the Plan, with a value equal to or in excess of the par value thereof, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable when issued in the manner contemplated by the terms of the Plan and pursuant to a current prospectus in conformity with the Act.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the reference to this firm under the caption “Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.” This consent is not to be construed as an admission that we are a party whose consent is required to be filed with the Registration Statement under the provisions of the Act.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

ARNALL GOLDEN GREGORY LLP

Exhibit 15.1

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Sysco Corporation

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 and the related Prospectus of Sysco Corporation for the registration of shares of common stock for the offer and issuance under the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan of our report dated November 4, 2013 relating to the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Sysco Corporation that is included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2013.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
November 15, 2013

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan of our reports dated August 26, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Sysco Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Sysco Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 29, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
November 15, 2013

 

1

Exhibit 99.1

SYSCO CORPORATION

2013 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1

GENERAL

1.1 Purpose . Effective as of the Effective Date (defined below), the Sysco Corporation 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is hereby established by Sysco Corporation (the “Company”) as a successor to the Sysco Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). No additional awards shall be made after the Effective Date under the 2007 Plan. Shares of Stock (as defined below) authorized under the 2007 Plan but not subject to awards under the 2007 Plan as of the Effective Date shall be available for issuance or transfer under this Plan. Outstanding awards under the 2007 Plan shall continue in effect according to their terms as in effect before the Effective Date (subject to such amendments as the Committee (as defined below) determines, consistent with the 2007 Plan, as applicable).

The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company by providing (i) executive officers and other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below), (ii) certain advisors who perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries and (iii) non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ and service of the Company and to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the Company, as well as to reward the performance of these individuals in fulfilling their personal responsibilities for long-range and annual achievements. The Plan provides for the grant, in the sole discretion of the Committee, of options (including “incentive stock options” and “nonqualified stock options”), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. The Plan is designed so that awards granted hereunder intended to comply with the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (as defined below) may comply with such requirements, and the Plan and such awards shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such requirements.

1.2 Definitions . Capitalized terms in the Plan shall be defined as set forth below:

In addition to the other definitions contained herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) Affiliated Company . The term “Affiliated Company” means any company, partnership, association, organization or other entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

(b) Award . The term “Award” means any award or benefit granted under the Plan, including, without limitation, Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards.

(c) Award Agreement . The term “Award Agreement” means a written Award grant agreement under the Plan.

(d) Cash-Based Award . The term “Cash-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(f) of the Plan that may be denominated or payable in cash, other than an Award pursuant to which the amount of cash is determined by reference to the value of a specific number of shares of Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, dividend equivalents constitute Cash-Based Awards.

(e) Cause . The term “Cause” means, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, (1) “Cause” as defined in any Award Agreement to which the Grantee is a party, or (2) if there is no such Award Agreement or if it does not define Cause: (A) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere by, the Grantee of a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred, (B) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling the Grantee’s employment or service duties, (C) willful and deliberate failure on the part of the Grantee to perform the Grantee’s employment or

 

1


service duties in any material respect or (D) Grantee’s violation of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants agreement or code of conduct applicable to Grantee. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine whether “Cause” exists, and its determination shall be final.

(f) Change in Control . The term “Change in Control” shall mean:

(i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided , however , that, for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliated Company or (4) any acquisition by any corporation; pursuant to a transaction that complies with subparagraphs (iii)(A), (iii)(B) and (iii)(C) below;

(ii) The occurrence of the following: 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, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, 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 actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;

(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

The Committee may modify the definition of Change in Control for a particular Award to the limited extent the Committee determines appropriate to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(g) Code . The term “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A reference to any provision of the Code shall include reference to any successor provision of the Code.

(h) Committee . The term “Committee” means the committee of the Board described in Section 2 hereof and any sub-committee established by such Committee pursuant to Section 2.3.

 

2


(i) Covered Employee . The term “Covered Employee” means an Employee who is, or who is anticipated to become, between the time of grant and payment of the Award, a “covered employee,” as such term is defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code (or any successor section thereof).

(j) Disability . The term “Disability” means “Disability” as defined in any Award Agreement to which the Grantee is a party.

(k) Effective Date . The term “Effective Date” means November 15, 2013, provided that the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders on such date.

(l) Eligible Grantee . The term “Eligible Grantee” shall mean any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(m) Employee . The term “Employee” means an active employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, but excluding any person who is classified by the Company or a Subsidiary as a “contractor” or “consultant,” no matter how characterized by the Internal Revenue Service, other governmental agency or a court, or any employee who is not actively employed, as determined by the Committee. Any change of characterization of an individual by the Internal Revenue Service or any court or government agency shall have no effect upon the classification of an individual as an Employee for purposes of this Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

(n) Fair Market Value . For purposes of determining the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock as of any date, the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be the closing sale price during regular trading hours of the Stock on the immediately preceding date on the principal securities market in which shares of Stock is then traded; or, if there were no trades on that date, the closing sale price during regular trading hours of the Stock on the first trading day prior to that date. If the Stock is not publicly traded at the time a determination of Fair Market Value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of such amount shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate.

(o) Good Reason . The term “Good Reason” means, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Grantee’s consent: (i) a material diminution of the Grantee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material change in the geographic location at which Grantee must perform services for the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iii) a material diminution in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Grantee is required to report; or (iv) a material diminution in the Grantee’s base compensation. The Grantee must provide written notice of termination for Good Reason to the Company or the Subsidiary that employs the Grantee within 30 days after the event constituting Good Reason. The Company or the applicable Subsidiary shall have a period of 30 days in which it may correct the act or failure to act that constitutes the grounds for Good Reason as set forth in the Grantee’s notice of termination. If the Company or applicable Subsidiary does not correct the act or failure to act, the Grantee must terminate his or her employment for Good Reason within 30 days after the end of the cure period, in order for the termination to be considered a Good Reason termination.

(p) Grantee . The term “Grantee” means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor of the Company or a Subsidiary who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

(q) ISO . The term “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(r) Key Advisor . The term “Key Advisor” means a consultant or other key advisor who performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary.

(s) Non-Employee Director . The term “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

(t) NQSO . The term “NQSO” means any Option that is not designated as an ISO, or which is designated by the Committee as an ISO but which subsequently fails or ceases to qualify as an ISO.

 

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(u) Option . The term “Option” means a right, granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(a), to purchase shares of Stock. An Option may be either an ISO or an NQSO.

(v) Other Stock-Based Award . The term “Other Stock-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(e) 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, Stock, including but not limited to (i) unrestricted Stock awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of Performance Goals or otherwise as permitted under the Plan, and (ii) a right granted to an Eligible Grantee to acquire Stock from the Company containing terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee.

(w) Performance Goals . The term “Performance Goals” means performance goals based on the attainment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliated Company (or any division or business unit of any such entity), or any two or more of the foregoing, of performance goals pre-established by the Committee in its sole discretion, based on one or more of the following criteria (if applicable, such criteria shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or based upon the Company’s GAAP financial statements): (1) return on total stockholder equity; (2) earnings per share of Stock; (3) earnings before any or all of interest, taxes, minority interest, depreciation and amortization; (4) economic profit; (5) sales or revenues; (6) return on assets, capital or investment; (7) market share; (8) control of operating or non-operating expenses; (9) reductions in certain costs (including reductions in inventories or accounts receivable or reductions in operating expenses); (10) operating profit; (11) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (12) operating cash flow, (13) free cash flow, (14) return on capital or increase in pretax earnings; (15) net earnings; (16) margins; (17) market price of the Company’s securities; (18) pre-tax earnings or variations of income criteria in varying time periods; (19) economic value added; (20) expense targets; (21) increase in net after-tax earnings per share; (22) working capital targets; (23) enterprise value; (24) safety record; (25) closing of acquisitions or dispositions or other business expansion or contraction; (26) operating profit or improvements in operating profit; (27) improvements in certain asset or financial measures (including working capital and the ratio of sales to net working capital); (28) any combination of, or a specified increase in, any of the foregoing; and (29) general comparisons with other peer companies or industry groups or classifications with regard to one or more of the foregoing criteria. Subject to the limitations in Section 4.2, the Committee in its sole discretion may designate additional business criteria on which the Performance Goals may be based or adjust, or modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria. The relative weights of the criteria that comprise the Performance Goals shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In establishing the Performance Goals for a performance period, the Committee may establish different Performance Goals for individual Grantees or groups of Grantees. Subject to the limitations in Section 4.2(i)(iv), the Committee in its sole discretion shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliated Company or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliated Company, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes in generally accepted accounting principles or practices, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business, as applicable. Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no Award will be earned, a level of performance at which the target amount of an Award will be earned and a level of performance at which the maximum amount of the Award will be earned.

(x) Restricted Stock . The term “Restricted Stock” means an Award of shares of Stock to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(c) that may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture. Stock issued upon the exercise of Options or SARs is not “Restricted Stock” for purposes of the plan, even if subject to post-issuance transfer restrictions or forfeiture conditions. When Restricted Stock vests, it ceases to be “Restricted Stock” for purposes of the Plan.

(y) Restricted Stock Unit . The term “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(d) to receive Stock or cash at the end of a specified deferral period, which right may be conditioned on the satisfaction of specified performance or other criteria.

(z) Retirement . The term “Retirement” means any termination of employment or service as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor as a result of retirement in good standing under the rules of the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, then in effect.

 

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(aa) Rule 16b-3 . The term “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including any successor to such Rule.

(bb) Stock . The term “Stock” means shares of the common stock, par value $1 per share, of the Company.

(cc) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR . The term “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means the right, granted to an Eligible Grantee under Section 4.2(b), to be paid an amount measured by the appreciation in the Fair Market Value of Stock from the date of grant to the date of exercise of the right.

(dd) Subsidiary . The term “Subsidiary” means any present or future subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code, and any present or future business venture designated by the Committee in which the Company has a significant interest, including, without limitation, any subsidiary corporation in which the Company has at least a 20% ownership interest, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, and also including the Baugh Supply Chain Cooperative, Inc. and all of its members.

SECTION 2

ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Committee . The authority to manage the operation of and administer the Plan shall be vested in a committee (the “Committee”) in accordance with this Section 2. The Committee shall be selected by the Board, and shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and are outside directors within the meaning of Code Section 162(m). Unless otherwise determined by the Board, Sysco’s Compensation Committee shall be designated as the “Committee” hereunder.

2.2 Powers of Committee . The Committee’s administration of the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to select from among the Eligible Grantees those persons who shall receive Awards, to determine the time or times of receipt, to determine the types of Awards and the number of shares covered by the Awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions, and other provisions of such Awards.

(b) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any Award Agreement made pursuant to the Plan, and to make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made by it under the Plan is final and binding on all persons.

(d) In managing the operation of and administering the Plan, the Committee shall take action in a manner that conforms to the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, and applicable state corporate law.

(e) Subject to Section 3.2 hereof, neither the Board, the Committee nor their respective delegates shall have the authority to (i) reprice (or cancel and regrant) any Option, SAR or, if applicable, other Award at a lower exercise, base or purchase price without first obtaining the approval of the Company’s stockholders, (ii) take any other action (whether in the form of an amendment, cancellation or replacement grant, or a cash-out of underwater options) that has the effect of repricing an Option, SAR or other Award, or (iii) grant any Option, SAR or other Award that contains a so-called “reload” feature under which additional Options, SARs or other Awards are granted automatically to the Grantee upon exercise of the original Option, SAR or Award.

(f) Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee’s authority to modify outstanding Awards shall be limited to the extent necessary so that the existence of such authority does not (i) cause an Award that is not otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code to become deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code or (ii) cause an Award that is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to meet the requirements prescribed by Section 409A of the Code.

 

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2.3 Delegation by Committee . Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members or, with respect to Awards made to Employees other than executive officers, the Chief Executive Officer, including without limitation, the power to designate Grantees hereunder and determine the amount, timing and terms of Awards hereunder. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

2.4 Information to be Furnished to Committee . The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as it determines may be required for it to discharge its duties. The records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies as to an Eligible Grantee’s or Grantee’s employment or service, termination of employment or service, leave of absence, reemployment or reengagement and compensation shall be conclusive unless the Committee determines such records to be incorrect. Grantees and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee considers desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan.

2.5 Indemnification . Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken in good faith or failure to act in good faith under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to any other rights of indemnification or elimination of liability to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

SECTION 3

STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

3.1 Shares Available for Awards; Individual Limitations . Subject to the adjustments described below, the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for the grant of Awards under the Plan shall be the sum of the following: (i) 45,000,000 new shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of Stock remaining available for issuance under the 2007 Plan but not subject to outstanding awards as of the Effective Date. Of the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for the grant of Awards under the Plan, up to the sum of (i) and (ii) in the previous sentence, approximately 55,607,599 shares of Stock as of September 17, 2013 may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to Options, which may be either ISOs or NQSOs, and SARs, and up to 17,500,000 shares of Stock may be awarded under the Plan in the aggregate in respect of Awards other than Options and SARs. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by all ISOs awarded under the Plan is 37,500,000. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by all Options and/or SARs granted to any individual during any fiscal year under the Plan is 2,000,000. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by all Awards other than Options or SARs granted to any individual during any fiscal year under the Plan is 500,000. The maximum dollar amount that may be covered by all Cash-Based Awards granted to any individual during any fiscal year under the Plan is 1% of the Company’s earnings before income taxes as publicly disclosed in the “Consolidated Results of Operations” section of the Company’s annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended immediately before the date the applicable Cash-Based Awards are paid The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by all Awards granted to any individual Non-Employee Director during any fiscal year under the Plan is 20,000. Shares of Stock issuable hereunder may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares of Stock that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. If any shares of Stock subject to an Award under this Plan are forfeited or cancelled, or if an Award under this Plan terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Grantee, the shares of Stock with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture or cancellation, again be available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Options and SARs that are settled in Stock, the aggregate number of shares of Stock subject

 

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to the Option or SAR grant shall be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan as one share for every share subject thereto, regardless of the number of shares used to settle the Option or SAR upon exercise. Shares of Stock shall not again be available if such shares are surrendered or withheld as payment of either the exercise price of an Award and/ or withholding taxes in respect of an Award. Awards that are settled solely in cash shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock available for Awards. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any Award pursuant to Section 4.2(b)(i), such related Awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares of Stock as to which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if shares of Stock are repurchased on the open market with proceeds of the exercise price of Options, such shares may not again be made available for Awards under the Plan.

3.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization . If the outstanding shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any (i) stock dividend, spinoff, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares , subdivision or similar transaction, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation, (iii) a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) other extraordinary or unusual event affecting the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company’s payment of an extraordinary dividend or distribution to its stockholders (each, a “Corporate Transaction”) then, subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number and kind of shares of Stock available under the Plan or subject to any limit or maximum hereunder shall automatically be proportionately adjusted, with no action required on the part of the Committee or otherwise. Subject to any required action by the stockholders, the number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the price per share or the applicable market value in each such Award, to the extent applicable, shall be automatically proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of the Company resulting from a Corporate Transaction to the extent necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantees under the Plan. Any adjustments to outstanding Awards shall be consistent with Section 409A or 424 of the Code, to the extent applicable. Any adjustments pursuant to this Section 3.2 made by the Committee shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion, and its determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.

3.3 Certain Mergers and Other Extraordinary Events . If the Company merges or consolidates with another corporation, whether or not the Company is a surviving corporation, or if the Company is liquidated or sells or otherwise disposes of substantially all of its assets while unexercised Options or other Awards remain outstanding under the plan, (A) subject to the provisions of clause (C) below, after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, as the case may be, each holder of an outstanding Option or other Award shall be entitled, upon exercise of that Option or Award or in place of it, as the case may be, to receive, at the option of the Committee and in lieu of shares of Stock, (i) the number and class or classes of shares of stock or other securities or property to which the holder would have been entitled if, immediately prior to the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, the holder had been the holder of record of a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of shares of Stock as to which that Option may be exercised or are subject to the Award or (ii) shares of stock of the company that is the surviving corporation in such merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition having a value, as of the date of payment under (i) above, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, equal to the value of the shares of stock or other securities or property otherwise payable under (i) above; (B) if Options or other Awards have not already become exercisable or vested under Section 4.2(h) hereof, the Committee may waive any limitations set forth in or imposed pursuant to the Plan so that all Options or other Awards, from and after a date prior to the effective date of that merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, as the case may be, specified by the Committee, shall be exercisable in full and/or fully vested; and (C) all outstanding Options or SARs may be cancelled by the Committee as of the effective date of any merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, provided that any such cancellation pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall be contingent upon the payment to the affected Grantees, in the case of an in-the-money Option or SAR, cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the excess of the value of the per-share amount of consideration paid pursuant to the merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or other disposition, as the case may be, giving rise to such cancellation, over the exercise price of such Option or SAR multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to the Option or SAR. Any adjustments to outstanding Awards under this Section 3.3 shall be consistent with Section 409A or Section 424 of the Code, to the extent applicable. Any adjustments pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion, and its determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive, regardless of whether or not any such adjustment shall have the result of causing an ISO to cease to qualify as an ISO.

 

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3.4 Limitation on Grantees’ Rights . Except as hereinbefore expressly provided in this Section 3, a Grantee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class or the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or by reason of any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation or spin-off of assets or stock of another corporation, and any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Stock subject to an Award, unless the Committee shall otherwise determine.

3.5 Company Right and Power . The grant of any Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company (A) to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, (B) to merge or consolidate, (C) to dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets or (D) to issue any bonds, debentures, or preferred or other preference stock ahead of or affecting the Stock.

3.6 Fractional Shares . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 3, if any action described in this Section 3 results in a fractional share for any Grantee under any Award hereunder, such fraction shall be completely disregarded and the Grantee shall only be entitled to the whole number of shares resulting from such adjustment. All adjustments made by the Committee to effect the terms of this Section 3 shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the holders of Options, SARS and other Awards.

SECTION 4

AWARDS

4.1 General . The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee, subject to the limitations set forth below. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company upon the grant, maturation, or exercise of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, or other property. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant, such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that any such terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code.

4.2 Types of Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant the Awards described in this Section 4.2, under such terms and conditions as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Such Awards may be granted with value and payment contingent upon Performance Goals. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing such terms and conditions applicable to such Award as the Committee shall determine.

(a) Options . The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Type of Award . The Award Agreement evidencing an Option shall designate the Option as either an ISO or an NQSO, as determined in the discretion of the Committee.

(ii) Exercise Price . The exercise price of each Option granted under this Section 4.2 shall be established by the Committee or shall be determined by a method established by the Committee at the time the Option is granted; provided, however, that the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of the Award. No dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid on shares of Stock subject to an Option.

(iii) Exercise .

(A) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, Options shall be exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions and during such periods as may be established by the Committee; provided, however, that no Option may be exercised more than ten years after its grant date.

 

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(B) Except as set forth in Section 5.11, no Option granted hereunder may be exercised after the earlier of (I) the expiration of the Option or (II) unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, ninety days after the severance of an Option holder’s employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary. At the time of the grant of Options, the Committee may place restrictions on the exercisability or vesting of Options that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals; provided that such Performance Goals shall relate to periods of performance of at least one fiscal year.

(C) Unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement and to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable, an authorized leave of absence, or an absence for military service, lasting less than one year shall not be considered a termination of employment or service for purposes of an Award under the Plan.

(iv) Payment of Option Exercise Price . The payment of the exercise price of an Option granted under this Section 4 shall be subject to the following:

(A) Subject to the following provisions of this Section 4.2(a)(iv), the full exercise price for shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise (except that, in the case of an exercise arrangement approved by the Committee and described in paragraph 4.2(a)(iv)(C) payment may be made as soon as practicable after the exercise).

(B) The exercise price shall be payable in cash or by tendering (either by actual delivery of shares or by attestation) shares of Stock that are acceptable to the Committee and were valued at Fair Market Value as of the day the shares are tendered, or in any combination of cash, shares, or attested shares, as determined by the Committee.

(C) To the extent permitted by applicable law and the policies adopted from time to time by the Committee, a Grantee may elect to pay the exercise price upon the exercise of an Option by irrevocably authorizing a third party to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire exercise price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise. Such election must occur prior to the expiration date of the Option and, in any event, no later than the last trading day prior to the tenth anniversary of the grant date.

(D) To the extent permitted by the policies adopted from time to time by the Committee, by the withholding of shares of Stock subject to the exercisable Option, which have a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price.

(b) SARs . The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

(i) In General . SARs may be granted independently or in tandem with an Option at the time of grant of the related Option. An SAR granted in tandem with an Option shall be exercisable only to the extent the underlying Option is exercisable. Payment of an SAR may be made in cash, Stock, property, or a combination of the foregoing, as specified in the Award Agreement or determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. At the time of the grant of SARs, the Committee may place restrictions on the exercisability or vesting of SARs that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals; provided that such Performance Goals shall relate to periods of performance of at least one fiscal year.

(ii) Term and Exercisability of SARs . SARs shall be exercisable over the exercise period at such times and upon such conditions as the Committee may determine, as reflected in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that no SAR may be exercised more than ten years after its grant date. Except as set forth in Section 5.11, no SAR granted hereunder may be exercised after the earlier of (A) the expiration of the SAR or (B) unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, ninety days after the severance of an SAR holder’s employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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(iii) Payment . An SAR shall confer on the Grantee a right to receive an amount with respect to each share of Stock subject thereto, upon exercise thereof, equal to the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR (which in the case of an SAR granted in tandem with an Option shall be equal to the exercise price of the underlying Option, and which in the case of any other SAR shall be such price as the Committee may determine but in no event shall be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such SAR). An SAR may be exercised by giving written notice of such exercise to the Committee or its designated agent. No dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid on shares of Stock subject to an SAR.

(c) Restricted Stock . The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Issuance and Restrictions . Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose at the date of grant, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. The Committee may place restrictions on Restricted Stock that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals; provided that such Performance Goals shall relate to periods of performance of at least one fiscal year. Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Grantee granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon.

(ii) Certificates for Stock . Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Grantee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may retain physical possession of the certificate.

(iii) Dividends . Except to the extent restricted under the applicable Award Agreement, cash dividends paid on Restricted Stock shall be paid at the dividend payment date subject to no restriction. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend shall be subject to the transfer restrictions, forfeiture risks and vesting conditions to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed. Dividends may accrue on unearned Restricted Stock subject to Performance Goals, but shall not be payable unless and until the applicable Performance Goals are met and certified.

(d) Restricted Stock Units . The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Grantees, subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) Conditions to Vesting . At the time of the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Committee may place restrictions on Restricted Stock Units that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals; provided that such Performance Goals shall relate to periods of performance of at least one fiscal year.

(ii) Benefit Upon Vesting . Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit, there shall be delivered to the Grantee, within 30 days of the date on which such Award (or any portion thereof) vests, the number of shares of Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units becoming so vested.

(iii) Dividend Equivalents . To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, an Award of Restricted Stock Units may provide the Grantee with the right to receive dividend equivalent payments with respect to Stock subject to the Award (both before and after the Stock subject to the Award is earned, vested, or acquired), which payments may be either made currently or credited to an account for the Grantee, and may be settled in cash or Stock, as determined by the Committee. Any such settlements and any such crediting of dividend equivalents may, at the time of grant of the Restricted Stock Unit, be made subject to the transfer restrictions, forfeiture risks, vesting and conditions of the Restricted Stock Units and subject to such other conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall establish at the time of grant of the Restricted Stock Unit, including the reinvestment of such credited amounts in Stock equivalents, provided that all such conditions, restrictions and contingencies shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 4.2(d)(iii), dividend equivalents may accrue on unearned Restricted Stock Units subject to Performance Goals but shall not be payable unless and until the applicable Performance Goals are met and certified.

 

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(e) Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant Awards to Grantees in the form of Other Stock-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. At the time of the grant of Other Stock-Based Awards, the Committee may place restrictions on the payout or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals; provided that such Performance Goals shall relate to periods of performance of at least one fiscal year.

The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards at the date of grant. Other Stock-Based Awards may not be granted with the right to receive dividend equivalent payments.

(f) Cash-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant Awards to Grantees in the form of Cash-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. At the time of the grant of Cash-Based Awards, the Committee may place restrictions on the payout or vesting of Cash-Based Awards that shall lapse, in whole or in part, only upon the attainment of Performance Goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards at the date of grant.

(g) Settlement of Options and SARs . Shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR shall be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee may establish in the applicable Award Agreement. Settlement of SARs may be made in shares of Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value at the time of exercise), in cash, or in a combination thereof, as determined in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee, in its discretion, may impose such conditions, restrictions and contingencies with respect to shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option or an SAR as the Committee determines to be desirable.

(h) Vesting; Additional Terms .

(i) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement and except as set forth below and in Sections 3.3 and 5.11, other than Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards conditioned upon the attainment of Performance Goals that relate to performance periods of at least one fiscal year, no Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder may vest in excess of 1/3 of the number of shares subject to the Award per year for the first three years after the grant date. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution expressly granting an Award shall be considered the day on which such Award is granted. The term of any Award granted under the Plan will not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, if before the expiration of an Option or SAR, the holder’s employment or service relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates as a result of Retirement or Disability, the Option or SAR will remain in effect, vest and be exercisable in accordance with its terms as if the holder remained an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor. In the event of an Option or SAR holder’s death during the term of his or her Option or SAR, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, all unvested Options and SARs will vest immediately and may be exercised by the holder’s estate, or by the person to whom such right devolves from the holder by reason of his or her death, at any time within three years after the date of the holder’s death but in no event later than the original termination date of the Option or SAR. In no event may an Option or SAR be exercised after three years following the holder’s death. With respect to all other Awards, any unvested Awards shall immediately vest, and all restrictions pertaining to such other Awards shall lapse and have no further effect, upon the holder’s death or Retirement or Disability under the established rules of the Company then in effect, except as otherwise provided by the Committee at grant of the Award.

(ii) Unless otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, with respect to Stock-based Awards, including, Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards, if (A) a Change in Control occurs and (B) during the period commencing on the date that is 12 months prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control and ending on the date that is 24 months following the Change in Control, the Grantee’s employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated (I) by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, (II) by the Grantee for Good Reason, (III) by the Company or a Subsidiary on account of the Grantee’s Disability or (IV) on account of the Grantee’s death, then all outstanding Options and SARs shall vest and become exercisable and all other outstanding Awards shall vest and all restrictions pertaining to such other Awards shall lapse and have no further effect. For purposes of this paragraph, any Award that vests based on the attainment of Performance

 

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Goals shall vest assuming that the Performance Goals were attained at the target level of performance for the applicable performance period. To the extent the termination of employment or service for one of the above-specified reasons occurs prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, the unvested portion of the applicable Award will be suspended and no vesting shall occur unless and until a Change in Control occurs during the 12 month period following the termination of employment or service. If a Change in Control does not occur during the 12 month period following the termination of employment or service, the unvested portion of the applicable Award will be forfeited automatically on the date that is 12 months following the termination of employment or service.

(i) Qualified Performance-Based Compensation

(i) The Committee may determine that Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or Cash-Based Awards granted to a Covered Employee shall be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code, in which case the provisions of this Section 4.2(i) shall apply.

(ii) When Awards are made under this 4.2(i), the Committee shall establish in writing (i) the objective Performance Goals that must be met, (ii) the period during which performance will be measured, (iii) the maximum amounts that may be paid if the Performance Goals are met, and (iv) any other conditions that the Committee deems appropriate and consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for “qualified performance-based compensation.” The Performance Goals shall satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation,” including the requirement that the achievement of the goals be substantially uncertain at the time they are established and that the Performance Goals be established in such a way that a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether and to what extent the Performance Goals have been met. The Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable, but may reduce the amount of compensation that is payable, pursuant to Awards identified by the Committee as “qualified performance-based compensation.”

(iii) Performance Goals must be pre-established by the Committee. A Performance Goal is considered pre-established if it is established in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the Performance Goal relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the Committee actually established the goal. However, in no event will a Performance Goal be considered pre-established if it is established after 25% of the period of service (as scheduled in good faith at the time the goal is established) has elapsed.

(iv) The Committee in its sole discretion shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliated Company or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliated Company, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes in generally accepted accounting principles or practices, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business, as applicable, provided such adjustment occurs in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the Performance Goal relates (and in no event later than the date that 25% of the period of service has elapsed). In addition, the Committee may specify that certain equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals will be made during the applicable Performance Period, provided such specification occurs in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the Performance Goal relates (and in no event later than the date that 25% of the period of service has elapsed).

(iv) The Committee shall certify the performance results for the performance period specified in the Award Agreement after the performance period ends. The Committee shall determine the amount, if any, to be paid pursuant to each Award based on the achievement of the Performance Goals and the satisfaction of all other terms of the Award Agreement.

(v) The Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that Awards under this Section 4.2(i) shall be payable, in whole or in part, in the event of the Grantee’s death or Disability, or under other circumstances consistent with the Treasury regulations and rulings under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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SECTION 5

OPERATION

5.1 Duration . Grants may be made under the Plan through November 15, 2023. In the event of Plan termination while Awards remain outstanding, the Plan shall remain in effect as long as any Awards under it are outstanding, although no further grants may be made following Plan termination.

5.2 Uncertificated Stock . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prohibit the issuance of Stock on an uncertificated basis, to the extent allowed by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, by applicable law and by the applicable rules of any stock exchange.

5.3 Tax Withholding . All distributions under the Plan are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes, and the Committee may condition the delivery of any shares or other benefits under the Plan on satisfaction of the applicable withholding obligations. The Committee, in its discretion, and subject to such requirements as the Committee may impose prior to the occurrence of such withholding, may permit such withholding obligations to be satisfied through cash payment by the Grantee, through the surrender of shares of Stock which the Grantee already owns, through withholding from other compensation payable to the Grantee or through the surrender of unrestricted shares of Stock to which the Grantee is otherwise entitled under the Plan, but only to the extent of the minimum amount required to be withheld under applicable law.

5.4 Use of Shares . Subject to the limitations on the number of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may use available shares of Stock as the form of payment for compensation, grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary, including the plans and arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary assumed in business combinations.

5.5 Transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, Options, SARs and any other unvested Awards or Awards subject to any restrictions hereunder are not transferable except as designated by the Grantee by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any such Award be transferred to a third party for consideration at any time.

5.6 Form and Time of Elections . Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or permitted to be made by any Grantee or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification, or revocation thereof, shall be in writing filed with the Committee at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.

5.7 Agreement with Company . An Award under the Plan shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, prescribe. The terms and conditions of any Award to any Grantee shall be reflected in such form of written document as is determined by the Committee. A copy of such document shall be provided to the Grantee, and the Committee may, but need not, require that the Grantee shall sign a copy of such document. Such document is referred to in the Plan as an “Award Agreement” regardless of whether any Grantee signature is required.

5.8 Gender and Number . Where the context admits, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.

5.9 Limitation of Implied Rights .

(a) The Plan shall at all times be unfunded and neither a Grantee nor any other person shall, by reason of participation in the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary whatsoever, including, without limitation, any specific funds, assets, or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary, in its sole discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan and no action taken pursuant hereto shall create or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Grantee or any other person. A Grantee shall have only a contractual right to the Stock or amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

 

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(b) The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or service, and selection as a Grantee will not give any participating Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan, unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the Award Agreement, no Award under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the date on which the individual fulfills all conditions for receipt of such rights.

5.10 Forfeiture; Non-Competition Agreements . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, except as provided in Section 5.11 below or as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if the Committee finds by a majority vote that: (i) the Grantee, before or after termination of his or her employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary (as used in this Section 5.10, an “Employer”) for any reason, (a) committed fraud, embezzlement, theft, a felony, or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment or other engagement by Employer, and by such act damaged Employer, or (b) disclosed trade secrets of Employer; (ii) the Grantee, before or after termination of his or her employment or other engagement with Employer for any reason, participated, engaged or had a financial or other interest (whether as an employee, officer, director, consultant, contractor, stockholder, owner, or otherwise) in any commercial endeavor in the United States competitive with the business of Employer (a) in violation of the Sysco Corporation Code of Business Conduct, as in effect on the date of such participation or other engagement, or (b) in such a manner that would have violated the Code of Business Conduct had Grantee been employed by Employer at the time of the activity in question; or (iii) has violated the compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be applicable to the Grantee, then any outstanding Awards which, in the case of Options or SARs, have not been exercised and, in the case of Awards other than Options or SARs, have not vested, will be forfeited. The decision of the Committee as to the nature of a Grantee’s conduct, the damage done to Employer and the extent of the Grantee’s competitive activity will be final. No decision of the Committee, however, will affect the finality of the discharge of the Grantee by Employer in any manner. The Committee may, in its discretion, include a form of non-compete, non-solicitation and/or non-disparagement agreement in any Award Agreement, and such non-compete, non-solicitation or non-disparagement agreement may be personalized, in the Committee’s discretion, to fit the circumstances of any specific Grantee.

5.11 Termination of Employment or Service Following Change in Control . In the event that the employment or service of a Grantee who is an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor is terminated by the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, other than for Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason, in each case, during the 12- month period before or the 24-month period following a Change in Control, all of such Grantee’s outstanding Options and SARs may thereafter be exercised by the Grantee, to the extent that such Options and SARs were exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service (x) for a period following the date of termination as set forth in the Award Agreement or (y) until expiration of the stated term of such Option or SAR, whichever period is the shorter. The provisions of clause (ii) of Section 5.10 of the Plan shall not apply to any Grantee who incurs a termination of employment or service pursuant to this Section 5.11 with respect to activity after such termination of employment or service.

5.12 Section 409A . It is intended that all Options and SARs granted under the Plan shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and that all other Awards under the Plan, to the extent that they constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, will comply with Section 409A of the Code (and any regulations and guidelines issued thereunder). The Plan and any Award Agreements issued hereunder may be amended in any respect deemed by the Board or the Committee to be necessary in order to preserve compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if required by Section 409A of the Code, if a Grantee is considered a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and if payment of any Award under this Plan is required to be delayed for a period of six months after “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, payment of such Award shall be delayed as required by Section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated amounts with respect to such Award shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten days after the end of the six month period. If the Grantee dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of benefits, the amounts withheld on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the Grantee’s beneficiary within sixty (60) days after the date of the Grantee’s death. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each payment under the Plan shall be treated as a separate payment. In no event shall a Grantee, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. To the extent that any provision of the Plan would cause a conflict with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, or would cause the administration of the Plan to fail to satisfy the

 

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requirements of Section 409A of the Code, such provision shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, each Grantee shall be solely responsible for the tax consequences of Awards under the Plan, and in no event shall the Company have any responsibility or liability if an Award does not meet any applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Although the Company intends to administer the Plan to prevent taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not represent or warrant that the Plan or any Award complies with any provision of federal, state, local or other tax law.

5.14 Regulations and Other Approvals .

(a) The obligation of the Company to sell or deliver Stock with respect to any Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals by governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

(b) Each Award is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Committee determines, in its absolute discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan is required by 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 grant of an Award or the issuance of Stock, no such Award shall be granted or payment made or Stock issued, in whole or in part, unless listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

(c) In the event that the disposition of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a then current registration statement under the Securities Act and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Stock shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or regulations thereunder, and applicable state securities laws, and the Committee may require a Grantee receiving Stock pursuant to the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Stock, to represent to the Company in writing that the Stock acquired by such Grantee is acquired for investment only and not with a view to distribution.

(d) With respect to persons subject to section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3.

(e) All Awards under the Plan will be subject to any compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be applicable to the employees of the Company, as in effect from time to time and as approved by the Board or Committee, whether or not approved before or after the Effective Date. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, any such compensation, clawback and recoupment policies shall apply to Awards made after the effective date of the policy.

5.15 Awards to Employees Subject to Taxation Outside of the United States . Without amending the plan, Awards may be granted to Grantees who are foreign nationals or who are employed outside the United States or both, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to further the purposes of the Plan. Such different terms and conditions may be reflected in Addenda to the Plan or in the applicable Award Agreement. However, no such different terms or conditions shall be employed if such terms or conditions constitute, or in effect result in, an increase in the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the Plan or a change in the definition of Eligible Grantee.

5.16 Non-Employee Director Award Deferrals . The Committee may permit a Non-Employee Director to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares that would otherwise be due to such Non-Employee Director in connection with any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or Cash-Based Awards. If any such deferral election is permitted, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such deferrals and may provide for interest or other earnings to be paid on such deferrals, which rules and procedures shall be consistent with applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Unless otherwise specified in a Non-Employee Director’s valid election, any deferred amount will be deferred until the earliest to occur of the Non-Employee Director’s death, separation from service, or Change of Control; provided that any such deferral election is made by the Non-Employee Director on or prior to December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which any such amounts are earned, or, if such Non-Employee Director is newly eligible for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, then within 30 days following the date he or she is first eligible, and then only with respect to amounts earned after the date of the election.

 

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SECTION 6

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

(a) The Plan may be terminated or amended by the Board at any time, except that the following actions may not be taken without stockholder approval:

(i) any increase in the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (except by certain adjustments provided for under the Plan);

(ii) any change in the class of persons eligible to receive ISOs under the Plan;

(iii) any change in the requirements of Sections 4.2(a)(ii) and 4.2(b)(iii) hereof regarding the exercise price of Options and the grant price of SARs; or

(iv) any repricing or cancellation and regrant of any Option or, if applicable, other Award at a lower exercise, base or purchase price, whether in the form of an amendment, cancellation or replacement grant, or a cash-out of underwater options or any action that provides for Awards that contain a so-called “reload” feature under which additional Options or other Awards are granted automatically to the Grantee upon exercise of the original Option or Award.

(v) any other amendment to the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under applicable law, regulation or rule or stock exchange listing requirement.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, adjustments pursuant to Section 3 shall not be subject to the foregoing limitations of this Section 6.

(b) Options may not be granted under the Plan after the date of termination of the Plan, but Options granted prior to that date shall continue to be exercisable according to their terms.

SECTION 7

GOVERNING LAW

The plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, except to the extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall be specifically applicable.

 

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