SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 11, 2014

 

 

AARON’S, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Georgia   1-13941   58-0687630

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia

  30305-2377
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 231-0011

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

Agreement with Vintage Capital Management

On May 13, 2014, Aaron’s, Inc. (the “ Company ”) entered into an agreement (the “ Agreement ”) with a group of investors led by Vintage Capital Management, L.L.C. (“ Vintage ”, and collectively, the “ Vintage Group ”) and Matthew E. Avril. The Vintage Group is the beneficial owner of approximately 10.1% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has agreed to increase the size of its Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) from eight to ten directors and to appoint two new directors proposed by the Vintage Group to the Board. Brian R. Kahn, Managing Member of Vintage, was appointed to the Board, effective May 20, 2014. Mr. Kahn will be nominated as one of the Company’s Class I director nominees for election to the Board at the Company’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 10, 2014. In that regard, the Company is recommending that shareholders approve a proposal to declassify the Board. If such proposal is approved by the shareholders, Mr. Kahn (along with the other directors elected at the 2014 annual meeting for shareholders and the Class II directors whose terms expire in 2015) will, if re-nominated, be up for reelection at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, it is expected that Matthew E. Avril, former President of the Hotel Group of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., will be appointed to the Board within 30 days following the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. If Mr. Avril is unwilling or unable for any reason to serve as a director, the Vintage Group and the Board will mutually agree on a replacement who qualifies as an independent director.

In connection with the execution of the Agreement, the Vintage Group terminated its pending proxy contest with respect to the election of directors at the Company’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders and agreed to take no further action in that regard.

The foregoing description of the terms of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such document. A copy of the Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K.


New Indemnification Agreements

On May 13, 2014, the Board approved a form of Indemnification Agreement (the “ Indemnification Agreement ”) for directors. The Indemnification Agreement supplements the Company’s bylaws and Georgia law in providing certain indemnification rights to the Company’s directors. The Indemnification Agreement provides, among other things, that the Company will indemnify its directors to the fullest extent permitted by Georgia law (and to any greater extent that Georgia law may in the future permit). The Indemnification Agreement provides procedures for the determination of a director’s right to receive indemnification and the advancement of expenses. Subject to the express terms of the Indemnification Agreement, the Company’s obligations under the Indemnification Agreement continue even after a covered party ceases to be a director of the Company. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indemnification Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

Appointment of New Directors

On May 13, 2014, the Company announced that Brian R. Kahn will be appointed to the Board, effective as of May 20, 2014, and within 30 days following the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, it is expected that Matthew E. Avril will be appointed to the Board. Mssrs. Kahn and Avril will be appointed, pursuant to the Agreement discussed in Item 1.01 above, which discussion is incorporated by reference herein in response to this Item 5.02.

On May 13, 2014, the Company announced that on May 20, 2014 it will form a new Operational and Financial Advisory Committee of the Board, an advisory committee to provide input on business matters. Mr. Ronald Allen, Mr. Ray Robinson, and Mr. Kahn will be the initial members of the committee.

 

ITEM 5.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

Indemnification Amendment to Bylaws

On May 13, 2014, the Board approved and adopted, effective as of such date, an amendment (the “ Indemnification Amendment ”) to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “ Bylaws ”) to, among other changes, conform Article VII of the Bylaws to current indemnification provisions under Georgia law, clarify the scope of the Company’s indemnification obligations to directors and officers and to provide for certain procedures in connection with any such indemnification.


Declassification of the Board

At a meeting of the Board held on May 11, 2014, the Board approved an amendment (“ Proposed Declassification Amendment ”) to the Company’s Bylaws, which would amend and restate Section 2 of Article III to declassify the Board such that subsequent to such declassification, directors standing for election at each annual meeting of shareholders, commencing with the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, will be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting following their election and until their respective successor are elected and qualified. The Proposed Declassification Amendment will not shorten the term of any existing director. The Proposed Declassification Amendment is subject to shareholder approval at the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.

The foregoing descriptions of the Indemnification Amendment and the Proposed Declassification Amendment do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Indemnification Amendment and Proposed Declassification Amendment, attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

*    *    *    *    *

Additional Information and Where To Find It

Certain content of this Form 8-K may be deemed to be solicitation material in connection with the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Company has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and will file with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and other materials in connection with the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, including the filing by the Company of a proxy statement. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AS WELL AS OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain these documents free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov, and at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, http://www.aarons.com. The final Proxy Statement for the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders will be mailed to shareholders of the Company.

Participants in Solicitation

The Company and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Company’s 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. Information concerning such participants and their direct or indirect interests, including their beneficial ownership in the Company, is available in the Company’s preliminary proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the SEC on May 12, 2014, and will be set forth in the final Proxy Statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders when it becomes available. Information regarding the direct and indirect beneficial ownership of the Company’s directors and executive officers in the Company’s securities is also included in their respective SEC filings on Forms 3, 4 and 5. Shareholders are advised to read the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders and other relevant documents when they become available, because they contain important information. You can obtain free copies of these documents from the Company as described above.


ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Indemnification Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company adopted May 13, 2014.
  3.2    Proposed Declassification Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
10.1    Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2014, by and among Aaron’s Inc., Vintage Capital Management, L.L.C., Kahn Capital Management, L.L.C., Brian R. Kahn, and Matthew E. Avril.
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement.


SIGNATURES

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

 

    AARON’S, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Gilbert L. Danielson

      Gilbert L. Danielson
Date: May 14, 2014       Executive Vice President,
      Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 3.1

AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

AARON’S, INC .

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of Aaron’s, Inc. are hereby amended as follows:

1. Article VII is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless any person (an “Indemnified Person”) who is or was a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action or suit by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving in another Corporate Status (as defined below) against all expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and disbursements, court costs and expert witness fees) (collectively, “Expenses”), and against all judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including any excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) (collectively, “Liabilities”) that may be imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from such Proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and in all other cases, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to not be opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. “Corporate Status” describes (a) the status of a person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation or an individual who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, entity, or other enterprise, and (b) a person’s service in connection with an employee benefit plan at the corporation’s request if such person’s duties to the corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, such person to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan.

Section 2. Indemnification of Directors and Officers for Derivative Actions. The corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless any Indemnified Person who is or was a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving in another Corporate Status (a) to the fullest extent permitted by law, against all Expenses that may be imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from such Proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and in all other cases, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to not be opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no

 


reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, and (b) to the fullest extent permitted by law (including through a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to Section 14-2-854 of the Code) against all Expenses and Liabilities that may be imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from such Proceeding.

Section 3. Indemnification Upon Successful Defense on Merits, Etc. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VII, to the extent that an Indemnified Person is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a party to and is successful on the merits or otherwise in any Proceeding, the Indemnified Person shall be indemnified against Expenses imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with the Proceeding, regardless of whether the Indemnified Person has met the standards set forth in the Code or in this Article VII and without any further action or determination by the board of directors of the corporation or otherwise. If an Indemnified Person is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the corporation shall indemnify the Indemnified Person against all Expenses imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with each claim, issue or matter with respect to which the Indemnified Person was successful. For the purposes of this Section 3 and without limiting the foregoing, (a) the termination of any claim, issue or matter in any such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter, and (b) a decision by any government, regulatory or self-regulatory authority, agency or body not to commence or pursue any investigation, civil or criminal enforcement matter or case or in any civil suit, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter. If an Indemnified Person is entitled under any provision of the Code or this Article VII to indemnification by the corporation for some or a portion of the Expenses or Liabilities imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of a Proceeding covered by this Article VII, but is not entitled to indemnification for the total amount thereof, the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnified Person for the portion of such Expenses and Liabilities imposed upon or incurred by him or her to which the Indemnified Person is entitled.

Section 4. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses for Directors and Officers When Acting as a Witness, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Indemnified Person who acts as a witness or other participant in any Proceeding, shall be indemnified by the corporation against all Expenses imposed upon or incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection therewith.

Section 5. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The board of directors shall have the power to cause the corporation to provide to any person who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation all or any part of the right to indemnification and other rights of the type provided under Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 12 of this Article VII (subject to the conditions, limitations, obligations and other provisions specified herein), upon a resolution to that effect identifying such employee or agent (by position or name) and specifying the particular rights provided, which may be different for each employee or agent identified. Each employee or agent of the corporation so identified shall be an “Indemnified Person” for purposes of the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 6. Effectuation of Rights. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of this Article VII are intended to, and shall be deemed to, satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in Section 14-2-859(a) of the Code or any successor provision and any other requirements of applicable law such that the corporation shall be obligated to the maximum extent possible to provide such indemnification and advancement of Expenses without any further requirements for authorization or action referred to in Sections 14-2-853(c) or 14-2-855(c) of the Code or any successor provision, or otherwise. The corporation shall act in

 

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good faith and expeditiously take all actions necessary or appropriate to make available the indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights provided for Indemnified Persons in this Article VII, and shall expeditiously take all actions necessary or appropriate to remove any impediments or obstacles to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights. To the extent any determination of entitlement to indemnification is required for purposes of the Code or this Article VII, at the request of the Indemnified Person, such determination shall be made by Special Legal Counsel (as defined below) proposed by the Indemnified Person and reasonably acceptable to the corporation. In the event of any dispute as to whether an Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under the Code or this Article VII, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to an expeditious and final adjudication in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia (the “ Fulton County Business Court ”), which the corporation agrees shall be the exclusive venue for any court action to determine whether the Indemnified Person is entitled to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. The corporation shall seek expedited resolution of the matter and agrees that the Fulton County Business Court may summarily determine the corporation’s obligation to advance Expenses. The corporation irrevocably waives trial by jury with respect to the determination whether an Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses. If an Indemnified Person, pursuant to this Section 6, seeks a judicial adjudication of his or her rights under this Article VII, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to recover from the corporation, and shall be indemnified by the corporation against, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him of her in such judicial adjudication, but only if he or she prevails therein. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication that the Indemnified Person is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with such judicial adjudication shall be appropriately prorated. As used in this Section 6, “Special Legal Counsel” means an attorney with an active membership in good standing in the State Bar of Georgia who is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither he or she, nor his or her law firm, presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the corporation or the Indemnified Person in any other matter material to either such party; or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification, provided that the term “Special Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the corporation or the Indemnified Person in an action to determine the Indemnified Person’s rights under the Code or this Article VII.

Section 7. Advances. Expenses imposed upon or incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any Proceeding of the kind described in Sections 1, 2 and 3 hereof shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as set forth herein. The corporation shall promptly pay the amount of such Expenses to the Indemnified Person, but in no event later than ten days following the Indemnified Person’s delivery to the corporation of a written request for an advance pursuant to this Section 7, together with a reasonable accounting of such expenses; provided, however, that the Indemnified Person shall furnish the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct set forth in the Code or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, as authorized by paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of Section 14-2-202 of the Code or any successor provision, and a written undertaking and agreement, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay to the corporation any advances made pursuant to this Section 7 if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation for such amounts. The corporation shall make the advances contemplated by this Section 7 regardless of the Indemnified Person’s financial ability to make repayment. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 7 shall be unsecured and interest-free.

 

3


Section 8. Non-Exclusivity. Subject to any applicable limitation imposed by the Code or the Articles of Incorporation, the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under applicable law or any by-law, resolution or agreement, including as may be approved by the corporation’s shareholders.

Section 9. Insurance. The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, is or was serving as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, employee or agent of a Subsidiary or, at the request of the corporation, of any other organization or in any other Corporate Status, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 10. Security. The corporation may designate certain of its assets as collateral, provide self-insurance or otherwise secure its obligations under this Article VII, or under any indemnification agreement or plan of indemnification adopted and entered into in accordance with the provisions of this Article VII, as the board of directors deems appropriate.

Section 11. Amendment. Any amendment to this Article VII that limits or otherwise adversely affects the right of indemnification, advancement of expenses, or other rights of any Indemnified Person hereunder shall, as to such Indemnified Person, apply only to claims, actions, suits or proceedings based on actions, events or omissions (collectively, “Post Amendment Events”) occurring after such amendment and after delivery of notice of such amendment to the Indemnified Person so affected. Any Indemnified Person shall, as to any claim, action, suit or proceeding based on actions, events or omissions occurring prior to the date of receipt of such notice, be entitled to the right of indemnification, advancement of expenses and other rights under this Article VII to the same extent as if such provisions had continued as part of the by-laws of the corporation without such amendment. This Section 11 cannot be altered, amended or repealed in a manner effective as to any Indemnified Person (except as to Post Amendment Events) without the prior written consent of such Indemnified Person.

Section 12. Agreements. In addition to the rights provided in this Article VII, the corporation shall have the power, upon authorization by the board of directors, to enter into an agreement or agreements providing to any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation indemnification rights substantially similar to, or greater than, those provided in this Article VII.

Section 13. Continuing Benefits. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the spouse, heirs, devisees, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of such a person.

Section 14. Successors. For purposes of this Article VII, the terms “the corporation” or “this corporation” shall include any corporation, joint venture, trust, partnership or unincorporated business association that is the successor to all or substantially all of the business or assets of this corporation, as a result of merger, consolidation, sale, liquidation or otherwise, and any such successor shall be liable to the persons indemnified under this Article VII on the same terms and conditions and to the same extent as this corporation.

 

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Section 15. Severability. Each of the sections of this Article VII, and each of the clauses set forth herein, shall be deemed separate and independent, and should any part of any such section or clause be declared invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall in no way render invalid or unenforceable any other part thereof or any other separate section or clause of this Article VII that is not declared invalid or unenforceable. If any section, clause or part of this Article VII is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the corporation in good faith shall expeditiously take all necessary or appropriate action to provide the Indemnified Persons with rights under this Article VII (including with respect to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights) that effect the original intent of this Article VII as closely as possible.

Section 16. Additional Indemnification. In addition to the specific indemnification rights set forth herein, the corporation shall indemnify each of its directors and officers and advance expenses to its directors and officers to the full extent permitted by action of the board of directors without shareholder approval under the Code or other laws of the State of Georgia as in effect from time to time.”

 

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EXHIBIT 3.2

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

AARON’S, INC .

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of Aaron’s, Inc. are hereby amended as follows:

1. Section 2 of Article III is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“Section 2. Number, Election and Term. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be at least 3; the exact number to be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of an incumbent director. Commencing at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, and at each annual meeting of shareholders thereafter, directors will be elected for a term of office to expire at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. Each director whose term does not expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, will hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year in which such director’s term expires. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her respective term of office and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office or death. The directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present; provided, however that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting for which (a) the president receives a notice that a shareholder has nominated a candidate for election to the board of directors in compliance with the advance notice requirements for shareholder nominees for director set forth in Article III, Section 3; and (b) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder on or prior to the tenth (10th) day preceding the date that the corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the shareholders. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of votes cast “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election. The following shall not be a vote cast: (1) a share otherwise present at the meeting but for which there is an abstention and (2) a share otherwise present at the meeting as to which a shareholder gives no authority or discretion, including “broker non-votes.”

In the event an incumbent director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast (unless, pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, the director election standard is a plurality of the votes cast), the incumbent director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the board of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors will make a recommendation to the board of directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The board of directors, taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will determine whether to accept or reject such resignation, or what other action should be taken, within 100 days from the date of the certification of election results. Directors shall be natural persons who have attained the age of 18 years, but need not be residents of the State of Georgia.”

EXHIBIT 10.1

AGREEMENT

This AGREEMENT, dated as of May 13, 2014 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among Aaron’s, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “ Company ”), the entities and natural persons listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “ Vintage Group ”) and Matthew E. Avril (each of the Company, the members of the Vintage Group and Mr. Avril, a “ Party ” to this Agreement and, collectively, the “ Parties ”).

WHEREAS, the Vintage Group Economically Owns (as defined below) shares of common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) totaling, in the aggregate, 7,277,000 shares, or approximately 10.1% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Vintage Group have agreed that it is in their mutual interest to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

REPRESENTATIONS

SECTION 1.1 Representations and Warranties of the Vintage Group . Each member of the Vintage Group represents and warrants that (a) this Agreement and the performance by each member of the Vintage Group of its obligations hereunder (i) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such member, and is a valid and binding obligation of such member, enforceable against such member in accordance with its terms, (ii) does not require approval by any owners or holders of any equity interest in any member of the Vintage Group (except as has already been obtained) and (iii) does not and will not violate any law, any order of any court or other agency of government, the charter or other organizational documents of any member of the Vintage Group, as amended, or any provision of any agreement or other instrument to which any member of the Vintage Group or any of its properties or assets is bound, or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such agreement or other instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of, or give rise to, any lien, charge, restriction, claim, encumbrance or adverse penalty of any nature whatsoever pursuant to any such agreement or instrument and (b) as of the date of this Agreement, the Vintage Group Economically Owns in the aggregate 7,277,000 shares of Common Stock as is accurately and completely set forth (including, without limitation, as to the form of ownership) on Schedule A hereto and no member of the Vintage Group or any of its Affiliates Economically Owns any other securities of the Company.

SECTION 1.2 Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants that this Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder (i) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and


is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, (ii) does not require the approval of the shareholders of the Company and (iii) does not and will not violate any law, any order of any court or other agency of government, the charter or other organizational documents of the Company, as amended, or any provision of any agreement or other instrument to which the Company or any of its properties or assets is bound, or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such agreement or other instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of, or give rise to, any lien, charge, restriction, claim, encumbrance or adverse penalty of any nature whatsoever pursuant to any such agreement or instrument.

ARTICLE II

COVENANTS

SECTION 2.1 Directors .

(a) As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, and in any event within five (5) business days, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) shall (i) increase the size of the Board from eight (8) to nine (9) directors and (ii) appoint Brian R. Kahn as a director of the Company to serve on Class I of the Board. At the Company’s 2014 annual shareholders’ meeting (the “ 2014 Annual Meeting ”), the Board will nominate Mr. Kahn for election to the Board and will recommend in the Company’s definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2014 Annual Meeting that the Company’s shareholders vote to elect Mr. Kahn at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Mr. Kahn acknowledges and agrees that, as a director of the Company, he will have the same fiduciary duties under Georgia law to the Company and its shareholders as each member of the Board. Within thirty (30) days after the 2014 Annual Meeting, the Board shall increase its size from nine (9) to ten (10) directors and use its best efforts to appoint Matthew E. Avril as a director. If Mr. Avril is unwilling or unable for any reason to serve as a director, the Vintage Group and the Board shall mutually agree on a replacement director who qualifies as an “independent director” for purposes of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange and the Board shall use its best efforts to appoint such director as promptly as practicable.

(b) If, prior to the conclusion of the Company’s 2015 annual shareholders’ meeting (the “ 2015 Annual Meeting ”), the Board is expanded to more than ten (10) directors for any reason, then the Vintage Group shall have the right to designate a new independent (for purposes of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange) director, who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Board. Promptly upon identifying and agreeing on such new director, and in any event with five (5) business days, the Board shall take all action necessary to appoint such director to the Board. In no event will the Board be expanded beyond twelve (12) members at any time prior to the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Meeting.

(c) By entering into this Agreement, each director appointed to the Board pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.1(b) (and any replacements therefor) (the “ Director Designees ”) hereby irrevocably agrees to tender his or her resignation as a member of the Board and the

 

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Vintage Group agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such Director Designee to tender such resignation on the earliest of (x) the date that the Vintage Group, together with its Affiliates, does not Economically Own 5% or more of the Common Stock outstanding at such time and (y) the date on which any member of the Vintage Group proposes (or joins a group that proposes) a slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting or any other meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the discretion to not accept any such resignation, but there shall be no restriction on the ability of any Director Designee to resign from the Board at any time.

(d) The Company agrees that through the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Meeting, if any Director Designee voluntarily resigns as a director of the Company or is unable to serve as a director of the Company due to death or incapacity or due to any removal for cause, then the Company and the Vintage Group shall work in good faith to agree upon a mutually acceptable replacement who qualifies as an “independent director” for purposes of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, any replacement Director Designee shall be subject to the Board’s good faith customary due diligence process, including review of a Directors’ and Officers’ questionnaire, background check and interviews and shall enter into a confidentiality agreement having the same terms as the confidentiality agreement entered into by the director he or she is replacing. No person other than Messrs. Kahn or Avril (who have executed this Agreement) may be a Director Designee unless he or she has executed a joinder to this Agreement with respect to the obligations set forth in Section 2.1(c). For as long as one or more Director Designees are serving as directors on the Board, each other director of the Company will also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement having the same terms as the confidentiality agreement entered into on the date hereof between Mr. Kahn and the Company (the form of which is attached as Exhibit C), and the Company shall cause such other directors to enter into such confidentiality agreement within five (5) days of the date of this Agreement.

(e) The Board and the Company shall have no obligation to nominate any Director Designee for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting. Prior to the first day of the advance notice period for shareholders to nominate directors for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting, the Company shall notify the Vintage Group if it determines to not nominate any of the Director Designees(s) for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

(f) For the avoidance of doubt, the Vintage Group does not have any obligation to support the nomination of, or to vote for, any Director Designee (or vote for or against any other matter) at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2.2 Operating Committee . As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, and in any even within ten (10) business days, the Board shall form a new Operational and Financial Advisory Committee (the “ Committee ”). The Committee’s charter shall be in the form attached to Exhibit A . The Committee may be disassembled by the Board upon the earliest of (x) such time as Mr. Kahn no longer serves as a director on the Board for any reason, (y) such time as Mr. Kahn is required to resign as a director pursuant to Section 2.1(c) and (z) the date of the 2015 Annual Meeting. Mr. Ronald Allen, Mr. Ray Robinson and

 

3


Mr. Kahn shall be the inaugural members of the Committee, and Mr. Kahn shall be offered membership on the Committee (to the extent it is constituted) at all times that he is serving on the Board. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the Board.

SECTION 2.3 Board Declassification . The Board shall take all action necessary to provide shareholders with a binding vote to declassify the Board at the 2014 Annual Meeting. If, in the Board’s good faith determination, it is not possible to hold such a vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting, then the Board shall call and hold a special shareholders’ meeting for the purpose of providing shareholders with a binding vote to declassify the Board. Any declassification of the Board shall not shorten the term of any existing director. The Company covenants and agrees that at least a majority of the directors will stand for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2.4 Annual Meeting Dates .

(a) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to call and hold the 2014 Annual Meeting no later than June 30, 2014.

(b) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to call and hold the 2015 Annual Meeting no later than June 15, 2015.

SECTION 2.5 Actions by the Vintage Group .

(a) Each member of the Vintage Group agrees that (i) prior to the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Meeting, it shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, unless specifically requested or authorized in writing by a resolution of the Board, directly or indirectly, seek to call, request the call of, or call, or support in any way the calling of, a special meeting of the shareholders of the Company and (ii) with respect to any special meeting of the shareholders of the Company held prior to the 2015 Annual Meeting, it shall cause, and shall cause its Affiliates to cause, all shares of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company for which it or they have the right to vote to be voted at such special meeting of shareholders or at any adjournments or postponements thereof in accordance with the recommendation of the Board. It is understood and agreed that this Section 2.5 shall not in any way prohibit the Vintage Group from proposing (or joining a group proposing) (A) a slate of nominees for election as directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting or (B) any other business at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

(b) Each member of the Vintage Group shall cause, and shall cause its respective Affiliates to cause, all shares of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company for which it or they have the right to vote to be present for quorum purposes and to be voted at the 2014 Annual Meeting, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, in accordance with the recommendation of the Board on all proposals of the Board set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed in connection with the 2014 Annual Meeting (all of which matters are set forth in the Company’s preliminary proxy statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this Agreement).

SECTION 2.6 Additional Representations and Agreements by the Parties .

 

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(a) The members of the Vintage Group and the Company shall promptly disclose the existence of this Agreement after its execution pursuant to a joint press release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , and shall file such agreement as an exhibit to Form 8-K and as an amendment to the Schedule 13D filed by certain members of the Vintage Group. Subject to applicable law, none of the Parties shall disclose the existence of this Agreement until the joint press release is issued.

(b) The Company acknowledges that:

(i) as of the date of this Agreement, Messrs. Kahn and Avril each qualify as an “independent director” for purposes of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange; and

(ii) for purposes of determining whether any Director Designee is in compliance with any stock ownership guidelines of the Company relating to the amount of shares of Common Stock required to be owned by the Company’s directors, the Physical Shares of Common Stock that are Beneficially Owned by the members of the Vintage Group together with their Affiliates shall be included in any such determination.

(c) Until the earlier of (x) the resignation (or required resignation) of the Director Designee(s) pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or (y) the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Meeting, no member of the Vintage Group shall, and each member of the Vintage Group shall cause its respective Affiliates not to, make, or cause to be made, any comments or statements by press release or similar public statement to the press, securities analysts or media, or in any Securities and Exchange Commission filing, that disparages the Company, its partners, officers, directors or employees or the Company’s businesses, operations, strategic plans or strategic direction. Until the earlier of (x) the resignation of the Director Designee(s) pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or (y) the conclusion of the 2015 Annual Meeting, neither the Company nor any of its officers or directors shall make, or cause to be made, by press release or similar public statement, including to the press, securities analysts or media, or in any Securities and Exchange Commission filing, any statement or announcement that disparages any member of the Vintage Group or their respective officers, directors or employees. The foregoing shall not apply to compelled testimony, either by legal process, subpoena or otherwise, or if the comments or statements of the type covered by this Section 2.6(c) are required to be made by law or regulation.

(d) Upon the execution of this Agreement by the Parties, the Vintage Group shall be deemed to have terminated the pending proxy contest with respect to the election of directors at the 2014 Annual Meeting and shall take no further action in that regard.

SECTION 2.7 Mutual Release . To the extent permitted by law, the Company, on the one hand, and the members of the Vintage Group, on the other hand, on behalf of themselves and for all of their past and present affiliated, associated, related, parent and subsidiary entities, joint ventures and partnerships, successors, assigns, and the respective owners, officers, directors, partners, members, managers, principals, parents, subsidiaries, predecessor entities, agents, representatives, employees, shareholders, advisors, consultants, attorneys, heirs, executors,

 

5


administrators, successors and assigns of any such person or entity, security holders of any such person or entity, and any other person claiming (now or in the future) through or on behalf of any of such persons or entities (collectively “ Released Persons ”), irrevocably and unconditionally release, settle, acquit and forever discharge the other and all of their Released Persons, from any and all causes of action, claims, actions, rights, judgments, obligations, damages, amounts, demands, losses, controversies, contentions, complaints, promises, accountings, bonds, bills, debts, dues, sums of money, expenses, specialties and fees and costs (whether direct, indirect or consequential, incidental or otherwise including, without limitation, attorney’s fees or court costs, of whatever nature) incurred in connection therewith of any kind whatsoever, in their own right, representatively, derivatively or in any other capacity, in law or in equity or liabilities of whatever kind or character, arising under federal, state, foreign, or common law or the laws of any other relevant jurisdiction (the “ Claims ”), that have arisen or arise now and relate in any manner to the allegations, facts, events, transactions, acts, occurrences, statements, representations, misrepresentations, omissions embraced, involved, arising out of, set forth in or otherwise related in any way to the Company’s or the Vintage Group’s disclosure filings made on or prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to Vintage, the Company, Vintage’s proxy contest at the 2014 Annual Meeting, the 2014 Annual Meeting or the Company’s nomination of directors for election at the 2014 Annual Meeting (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”); provided , however , this release and waiver of Claims shall not include claims (i) to enforce the terms of this Agreement (ii) related to Kenneth Butler or (iii) that are unknown as of the date hereof.

ARTICLE III

OTHER PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1 Specific Performance; Other Remedies .

(a) Each Party hereby acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that irreparable harm would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties will be entitled to specific relief hereunder, including, without limitation, an injunction or injunctions to prevent and enjoin breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof solely and exclusively in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia or, if such court does not accept jurisdiction, then any state or federal court in the State of Georgia or, if such courts do not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of New York, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.

(b) Each Party agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby will be brought solely and exclusively in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia, or, if such court does not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of Georgia, or, if such courts do not accept jurisdiction then any state or

 

6


federal court in the State of New York (and the Parties agree not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the respective addresses set forth in Section 3.4 will be effective service of process for any such action, suit or proceeding brought against any Party in any such court. Each Party, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia, or, if such court does not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of Georgia, or, if such courts do not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of New York, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

(c) Each Party agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve difficult and complicated issues, and therefore such Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right such Party may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any confidentiality agreement entered into in connection with the matters contemplated herein, or the breach, termination or validity of this Agreement or any such confidentiality agreement or the matters contemplated herein. Each Party hereby certifies and acknowledges that (i) no representative, agent or attorney of any other Party has represented expressly or otherwise that such other Party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, (ii) such Party understands and has considered the implications of this waiver, (iii) such Party makes this waiver voluntarily and (iv) such Party has been induced to enter into this Agreement and any confidentiality agreement entered into in connection with the matters contemplated herein by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications set forth in this Section 3.1.

SECTION 3.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (together with any confidentiality agreement(s) entered into by Mr. Kahn and any other Director Designees) contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended only by an agreement in writing executed by the Parties. No rights under this Agreement shall be deemed waived absent a written waiver by the Party granting the waiver.

SECTION 3.3 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) The term “ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”); provided , however , that the term “Affiliate” shall not include any portfolio or operating company of any member of the Vintage Group. For purposes of this Agreement, the members of the Vintage Group, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of each other.

 

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(b) The terms “ Beneficial Owner ,” “ Beneficially Own ” and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the same meanings as set forth in Rule 13d-3 (“ Rule 13d-3 ”) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The terms “ Economic Owner ,” “ Economically Own ” and “ Economic Ownership ” shall have the same meanings as “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” except that a person will also be deemed to “Economically Own,” to be the “Economic Owner” and to have “Economic Ownership” of (i) all shares of Common Stock which such person has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of any rights in connection with any securities or any agreement, regardless of when such rights may be exercised and whether they are conditional, and (ii) all shares of Common Stock in which such person has any economic interest, including, without limitation, pursuant to a cash settled call option or other derivative security, contract or instrument in any way related to the price of shares of Common Stock.

(c) “ Physical Shares ” means, with respect to a person or entity, shares Beneficially Owned by such person or entity as to which such person or entity directly or indirectly has voting and investment power and which are held either of record by such person or entity or through a broker, dealer, agent, custodian or other nominee that is the holder of record of such shares. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that (i) “Physical Shares” shall not include shares Beneficially Owned by such person or entity solely as a result of the operation of (x) clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 3.3(b) or (y) Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i)(A)-(B), and (ii) the fact that shares are held in a margin account or are pledged as collateral pursuant to customary loan documentation shall not result in such shares not being considered Physical Shares unless and until such shares are liquidated pursuant to a margin call or otherwise foreclosed upon by the applicable broker, lender or other third party.

SECTION 3.4 Notices . All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed validly given, made or served, if (a) given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number set forth below and the appropriate confirmation is received or (b) if given by any other means, when actually received during normal business hours at the address specified in this subsection:

if to the Company:

Aaron’s, Inc.

309 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Facsimile: [redacted]

Attention: Robert Kamerschen, Esq.

with a copy to:

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

200 Park Ave.

New York, New York 10166

Facsimile: (212) 805-5555

Attention: Dennis J. Block, Esq.

 

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if to the Vintage Group:

Vintage Capital Management, LLC

4705 South Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 210

Orlando, Florida 32819

Facsimile: (208) 728-8007

Attention: Brian R. Kahn

with a copy to:

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Professional Corporation

650 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, California 94304

Facsimile: (650) 493-6811

Attention: Bradley L. Finkelstein, Esq. and David J. Berger, Esq.

SECTION 3.5 Governing Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, the relationship of the Parties, and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the Parties shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to any conflict of law provisions thereof.

SECTION 3.6 Further Assurances . Each Party agrees to take or cause to be taken such further actions, and to execute, deliver and file or cause to be executed, delivered and filed such further documents and instruments, and to obtain such consents, as may be reasonably required or requested by the other Parties in order to effectuate fully the purposes, terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer on any person other than the Parties or their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be transferred without the consent of the other Parties and any transfer in violation of this sentence shall be null and void.

SECTION 3.8 Fees and Expenses . Within five (5) business days, the Company shall reimburse the Vintage Group for all reasonable expenses in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 incurred by them in connection with, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, preparation for and conduct of the pending proxy contest with respect to the election of directors at the 2014 Annual Meeting and its Schedule 13D. Except as set forth in the

 

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preceding sentence, each Party shall bear all fees and expenses incurred by such Party in connection with this Agreement and the circumstances giving rise hereto, and no Party shall seek or be entitled to reimbursement of any such fees and expenses from the other Party.

SECTION 3.9 Counterparts; Miscellaneous . This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or .pdf) in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The headings used herein are for convenience only and the Parties agree that such headings are not to be construed to be part of this Agreement or to be used in determining the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, whenever used in this Agreement the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine gender shall include the neuter or feminine gender and vice versa. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder, or otherwise available in law or in equity, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, then the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect so long as the remaining provisions do not fundamentally alter the relations among the Parties.

SECTION 3.10 Interpretation . Each of the Parties acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel of its choice throughout all negotiations that have preceded the execution of this Agreement, and that it has executed the same with the advice of such counsel. Each Party and its counsel cooperated and participated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto exchanged among the Parties shall be deemed the work product of all of the Parties and may not be construed against any Party by reason of its drafting or preparation. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against any Party that drafted or prepared it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived by each of the Parties.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, or caused the same to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:

 

AARON’S, INC.

By:  

/s/ Ronald Allen

Name:   Ronald Allen
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

THE VINTAGE GROUP:

 

VINTAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

By:  

/s/ Brian Kahn

Name:   Brian Kahn
Title:   Manager
KAHN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Brian Kahn

Name:   Brian Kahn
Title:   Manager and Sole Member
BRIAN R. KAHN

/s/ Brian R. Kahn

MATTHEW E. AVRIL

/s/ Matthew E. Avril


SCHEDULE A

As of May 13, 2014, the Vintage Group Economically Owns, in the aggregate, 7,277,000 shares of Common Stock.

The persons and entities that own such shares and the number of shares that they Economically Own are set forth below.

 

Person or Entity

   Shares of Common Stock Economically
Owned

Vintage Capital Management, L.L.C.

   7,277,000

Kahn Capital Management, L.L.C.

  

Brian R. Kahn

  


EXHIBIT A

AARON’S, INC.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHARTER

PURPOSE/DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITY

The primary purpose of the Operational and Financial Advisory Committee (the “Committee”) is to act as an advisory committee to assist Aaron’s, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) by generating and sharing ideas and methodologies, in respect of operational matters, capital allocation, strategic transactions, management succession, franchisee relations (or any other areas the Committee deems appropriate), that the Committee members believe will benefit the Company.

COMPOSITION

The Committee shall be composed of three members. The inaugural members of the Committee shall be Ray Robinson, Ronald Allen and Brian Kahn. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board except that Brian Kahn shall remain a member of the Committee until the earlier of (x) the 2015 Annual Meeting or (y) his departure from the Company’s Board.

MEETINGS

The Committee shall hold monthly in-person meetings (but, if impracticable, one or more members may join by telephone). Additional meetings can be called at reasonable intervals by any member of the Committee, subject to reasonable notice being given to all committee members. It is anticipated that in the first two months of the Committee’s formation, the Committee will hold at least two meetings per month.

Two members will constitute a quorum for a meeting. Each committee member will endeavour to participate in all Committee meetings. Subject to the restrictions in any confidentiality agreement between a committee member and the Company, in connection with any Committee meeting any Committee member can ask to be provided with any documents regularly maintained by the Company, provided that such a request shall be made in a reasonable manner and allow the Company adequate time to provide such documentation.

Whenever, at any Committee meeting, any member expresses the opinion that a matter discussed should be presented to the Board, it shall be so presented at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Each Committee member shall be free to express his own ideas and recommendations (orally or in writing) to the Board or to any other director at any time. The Board will give due consideration to matters presented by the Committee and the Committee will give due consideration to matters presented by its members, but the Board and/or, where appropriate, the Committee, need not implement any suggestion presented by the Committee or its members.


The Board shall be free to take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate and shall not be required to submit any matters to the Committee before deliberating or taking action in respect of such matters. Any director may submit or refer any matter to the Board and is not required first to submit such matter to the Committee.

By majority vote of the Committee, the Committee can, if it wishes, retain such advisers as it deems appropriate but is not obligated to do so; provided, however, that the Committee is not authorized to spend in excess of $50,000 on aggregate advisory fees without the approval of a majority of the Board.

LIMITATION OF COMMITTEE’S ROLE

Nothing contained in this Charter is intended to expand applicable standards of liability under statutory or regulatory requirements for the directors of the Company or the members of the Committee. The purposes and responsibilities outlined in this Charter are meant to serve as guidelines rather than as inflexible rules and the Committee is permitted to adopt, by majority vote approved by the Board, such additional procedures and standards as it deems necessary from time to time to fulfil its responsibilities.

MINUTES

The Committee can, if it wishes, but is under no obligation to, keep records or minutes of its discussions.


EXHIBIT B

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aaron’s, Inc. Reaches Agreement With Vintage Capital Management

Brian R. Kahn and Matthew E. Avril to Join Aaron’s Board of Directors

ATLANTA and ORLANDO, Fla., May 13, 2014 – Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the leading lease-to-own specialty retailer that offers flexible payment options for credit-challenged individuals, today announced that it has reached an agreement with Vintage Capital Management, LLC (“Vintage”), the Company’s second largest shareholder. Pursuant to the agreement, Aaron’s will expand the size of its Board from eight to ten directors. Brian R. Kahn, Managing Member of Vintage, has been appointed to the Board, effective May 20, 2014, and included in the Company’s slate of director nominees for election at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, within 30 days following the 2014 Annual Meeting, Matthew E. Avril, former President of the Hotel Group of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (“Starwood”), will be appointed to the Board.

Ray M. Robinson, Chairman of the Aaron’s Board, said, “We continue to engage in active dialogue with our shareholders and greatly appreciate the support we have received. We look forward to working with Brian and Matt as we integrate the Progressive Finance acquisition and execute Aaron’s strategic plan to improve our business and deliver lasting value for Aaron’s shareholders.”

Mr. Kahn said, “Aaron’s has taken and will continue to take important steps to enhance its industry leading growth and profitability profile. I have been involved with Aaron’s for many years, as a franchisee, as a large shareholder and now as a Board member. Matt and I look forward to working with our fellow Aaron’s directors to help fully realize the potential of this great Company.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Vintage has agreed to vote its shares in support of all of the Board’s director nominees at the 2014 Annual Meeting. In addition, the Board has formed a new Operational and Financial Advisory Committee that will provide input on matters related to Aaron’s core business. The founding members of the Committee will be Ray Robinson, Ron Allen and Brian Kahn. Aaron’s will also continue to review its corporate governance practices as well as work to explore opportunities, as appropriate, to reduce its operating expenses.

The complete agreement with Vintage will be filed on a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Brian R. Kahn

Brian R. Kahn founded and has served as the investment manager of Vintage and its predecessor since 1998. Mr. Kahn has served as Chairman of API Technologies Corp. (“API”) since January


2011; from January 2011 to August 2012, Mr. Kahn also served as Chief Executive Officer of API. From October 2011 to July 2012, Mr. Kahn was a director of Integral Systems, Inc. From September 2009 to April 2010, Mr. Kahn was the Chairman of White Electronic Designs Corporation. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kahn was the owner of Rosey Rentals L. P., which at the time was the second-largest franchisee of Aaron’s, Ace TV Rental and Choice Rent-to-Own.

Matthew E. Avril

Matthew E. Avril retired from Starwood in December 2012, where he had served as President, Hotel Group since September 2008. Mr. Avril was responsible for hotel operations worldwide for Starwood’s nine hotel brands, consisting of approximately 1,100 properties in more than 97 countries. Mr. Avril also oversaw Starwood’s global sales organization. Mr. Avril began his career with Starwood in 1989 through Vistana, Inc., the predecessor to Starwood Vacation Ownership. Mr. Avril is a director of API and Zentila.

About Aaron’s, Inc.

Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 2,130 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Aaron’s was founded in 1955, is headquartered in Atlanta and has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit www.aarons.com. Aaron’s, Inc. includes the Aarons.com and ShopHomeSmart.com brands.

About Vintage Capital Management, LLC

Vintage Capital Management, LLC is a value-oriented, operations-focused private and public equity investor specializing in the aerospace & defense, manufacturing and consumer sectors with a 15-year track record of consistently successful returns. Vintage adheres strictly to a capital preservation approach defined by its commitment to control (economic or otherwise); vigilant analysis; structural advantages; and partnership with successful operators well known to Vintage.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this news release regarding Aaron’s, Inc.‘s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions of Aaron’s that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: changes in general economic conditions; the impact of competition; the impact of litigation; changes to customer demand; Aaron’s ability to maintain customer privacy and information security; the cost and time required of Aaron’s management and employees and general disruption to Aaron’s operations associated with responding to any potential proxy contest; the ability to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies from the acquisition; the ability to successfully integrate Progressive’s operations; such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the acquisition may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption may be greater than expected following the acquisition; the retention of certain key employees at Progressive; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the acquisition, and the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and in the


Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Aaron’s assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Gilbert L. Danielson

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

404-231-0011

Garet Hayes

Director of Public Relations

678-402-3863

Steve Frankel / Tim Lynch / James Golden

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

Brian R. Kahn

Vintage Capital Management, LLC

407-909-8015


EXHIBIT C

Confidentiality Agreement

May [    ], 2014

To: Brian R. Kahn

This letter agreement shall become effective on the date hereof. It relates to an Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of the date hereof, by and among Aaron’s, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and the Vintage Group (as defined therein). Among other things, pursuant to the terms of such Agreement, you, as a director designee of the Vintage Group, will be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”). The Company may, in its sole discretion, furnish to you, prior to your election to the Board, information that it shares with its directors. You acknowledge that this information and any other non-public information that may furnished to you by or on behalf of the Company at any time is proprietary to the Company and may include trade secrets or other business information the disclosure of which could harm the Company. In consideration for, and as a condition of, such non-public information being furnished to you, your officers, directors and/or employees (and, subject to the restrictions in paragraph 2, your agents, representatives, attorneys and advisors, collectively, “ Representatives ”), you agree to treat any and all information concerning or relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates that is furnished to you or your Representatives (regardless of the manner in which it is furnished, including without limitation in written or electronic format or orally, gathered by visual inspection or otherwise) by or on behalf of the Company, together with any notes, analyses, reports, models, compilations, studies, interpretations, documents or records containing, referring, relating to, based upon or derived from such information, in whole or in part (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”), in accordance with the provisions of this letter agreement, and to take or abstain from taking the other actions hereinafter set forth. For the avoidance of doubt, “Confidential Information” includes any information discussed or disseminated at the meetings of the Board or its Committees and any comments or statements made by any director or officer of the Company concerning the Company, the business of the Company or the Company’s affiliates, officers, directors or employees.

1. The term “Confidential Information” does not include information that (i) is or has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a direct or indirect disclosure by you or your Representatives in violation of this letter agreement or in violation of any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation to or of the Company or by any member of the Vintage Group, (ii) was within your or any of your Representatives’ possession prior to its being furnished to you by or on behalf of the Company or its Representative, (iii) is received from a source other than the Company or any of its Representatives; provided, that in the case of each of (ii) and (iii) above, the source of such information was not, to your knowledge, bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to such information at the time the same was disclosed, or (iv) is or was independently developed by you or your Representatives, or on your or their behalf, without reference to or use of any Confidential Information.


2. You hereby agree that you and your Representatives will (a) keep the Confidential Information strictly confidential and (b) not disclose any of the Confidential Information in any manner whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that you may disclose any of such information to: (A) your Representatives (i) who need to know such information for the sole purpose of advising you on your investment in or position with the Company and (ii) who are informed by you in advance of the confidential nature of such information and who agree to comply with the use and confidentiality obligations contained in this letter agreement as if they are a party hereto; provided, further, that you will be responsible for any violation of this letter agreement by your Representatives as if they were parties hereto and you agree to take all reasonable measures (including, but not limited to, court proceedings) to cause your Representative to comply with such obligations provided that you will not be so responsible with respect to any such Representative who has executed a copy of this letter agreement as an Additional Signatory and delivered such signed copy to the Company and (B) any member of the Vintage Group subject to the entry by such member to a confidentiality agreement with the Company on substantially the same terms as this letter agreement prior to such disclosure. It is understood and agreed that information or documents that Company management deems “competitively-sensitive” shall not be provided to you or your Representatives if Company management determines you have an adverse competitive interest in respect of such information or the subject matter covered in such documents unless and until you execute an acknowledgement that such information and/or documentation (i) shall be used only in connection with the exercise of your duties as a director of the Company; and (ii) shall not be shared, directly or indirectly, with any business that is a competitor of the Company or with any other person acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of such business. It is understood and agreed that you shall not take any action or fail to take any action with the purpose or effect of waiving attorney client privilege or disclose to your Representatives or any member of the Vintage Group any Legal Advice (as defined below) that may be included in the Confidential Information with respect to which such disclosure would constitute waiver of the Company’s attorney client privilege or attorney work-product; provided, however, that you may provide such disclosure if you have not taken any action or failed to take any action that has the purpose or effect of waiving attorney client privilege with respect to any portion of such Legal Advice and if your outside legal counsel provides the Company with a written opinion that such disclosure will not waive the Company’s attorney client privilege with respect to such Legal Advice. “ Legal Advice ” as used herein shall be solely and exclusively limited to the legal advice provided by legal counsel and shall not include factual information or the formulation or analysis of business strategy.

3. In the event that you or any of your Representatives are required by applicable subpoena, legal process or other legal requirement to disclose any of the Confidential Information, you will promptly notify (except where such notice would be legally prohibited) the Company in writing by facsimile and certified mail and provide reasonable cooperation so that the Company, at its expense, may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent you or your Representatives, as the case may be, from honoring a subpoena, legal process or other legal requirement that requires discovery, disclosure or production of the Confidential Information if (a) you produce or disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information which your outside legal counsel advises you is legally required to be so produced or disclosed; or (b) the Company consents in writing to having the Confidential


Information produced or disclosed pursuant to the subpoena, legal process or other legal requirement. In no event will you or any of your Representatives oppose any action by the Company to obtain a protective order, motion to quash or other relief to prevent the disclosure of the Confidential Information or to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be afforded the Confidential Information. It is understood that there shall be no “legal requirement” requiring you to disclose any Confidential Information solely by virtue of the fact that, absent such disclosure, you would be prohibited from purchasing, selling, or engaging in derivative or other transactions with respect to, the common stock of the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agreement or understanding with respect to the voting or the granting or withholding of consent with respect to any common stock of the Company or otherwise proposing or making an offer to do any of the foregoing). Before filing any document with the SEC or other governmental or regulatory body in which you intend to include Confidential Information that you believe is legally required to be included in such a filing, you will obtain the advice of your outside counsel to the effect that the Confidential Information is legally required to be included in such filing.

4. You acknowledge that (a) none of the Company or any of its Representatives makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any Confidential Information, and (b) none of the Company or any of its Representatives shall have any liability to you or to any of your Representatives relating to or resulting from the use of the Confidential Information or any errors therein or omissions therefrom. You shall give reasonable advance notice to the Chairman of the Board before you or your Representatives directly or indirectly initiate contact or communication with any executive or employee of the Company concerning Confidential Information, or seek any information in connection therewith from any such person.

5. All Confidential Information shall remain the property of the Company. Neither you nor any of your Representatives shall by virtue of any disclosure of and/or your use of any Confidential Information acquire any rights with respect thereto, all of which rights (including all intellectual property rights) shall remain exclusively with the Company. At any time upon the request of the Company for any reason, you will promptly return to the Company all hard copies of the Confidential Information and permanently erase or delete all electronic copies of the Confidential Information in your or any of your Representative’s possession or control; provided, however, that you will not be obligated to return or destroy any Confidential Information to the extent otherwise required by law, legal, regulatory or judicial process or any internal compliance policy or procedure relating to the backup storage of data (so long as such backup storage is not readily accessible in the ordinary course). Notwithstanding the return or erasure or deletion of Confidential Information, you and your Representatives will continue to be bound by the obligations contained herein.

6. You acknowledge, and will advise your Representatives, that the Confidential Information may constitute material non-public information under applicable federal and state securities laws, and that you shall not, and you shall use your reasonable best efforts to ensure that your Representatives, while such information constitutes material non-public information, do not, trade or engage in any derivative or other transaction, on the basis of such information in violation of such laws.


7. You hereby represent and warrant to the Company that this letter agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by you, and is a valid and binding obligation, enforceable against you in accordance with its terms.

8. It is understood and agreed that no failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

9. You acknowledge that the value of the Confidential Information to the Company is unique and substantial, but may be impractical or difficult to assess in monetary terms. In the event of an actual or threatened violation of this letter agreement, in addition to any and all other remedies which may be available to the Company, you expressly consent to the Company seeking enforcement of this letter agreement by injunctive relief or specific performance, without proof of actual damages or posting of a bond.

10. Each party hereto agrees, on behalf of itself and its affiliates, that any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby will be brought solely and exclusively in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia, or, if such court does not accept jurisdiction, any state or federal court in the State of Georgia, or, if such courts do not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of New York (and the parties agree not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the respective addresses set forth in Section 12 will be effective service of process for any such action, suit or proceeding brought against any party in any such court. Each party, on behalf of itself and its affiliates, irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in any state or federal court in the State of Georgia, or, if such courts do not accept jurisdiction then any state or federal court in the State of New York, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

11. This letter agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended only by an agreement in writing executed by the parties hereto.


12. All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed validly given, made or served, if (a) given by telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number set forth below and the appropriate confirmation is received or (b) if given by any other means, when actually received during normal business hours at the address specified in this subsection:

if to the Company:

Aaron’s, Inc.

309 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Facsimile: [redacted]

Attention: Robert Kamerschen, Esq.

with a copy to:

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

200 Park Ave.

New York, New York 10166

Facsimile: (212) 805-5555

Attention: Dennis J. Block, Esq.

if to Brian R. Kahn:

c/o Vintage Capital Management, LLC

4705 South Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 210

Orlando, Florida 32819

Facsimile: (208) 728-8007

Attention: Brian Kahn

with a copy to:

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Professional Corporation

650 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, California 94304

Facsimile: (650) 493-6811

Attention: Bradley L. Finkelstein, Esq. and David J. Berger, Esq.

13. If at any time subsequent to the date hereof, any provision of this letter agreement shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force and effect, but the illegality or unenforceability of such provision shall have no effect upon the legality or enforceability of any other provision of this letter agreement.

14. This letter agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or .pdf) in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

15. This letter agreement and the rights and obligations herein may not be assigned or otherwise transferred, in whole or in part, by you without the express written consent of the Company.


16. This letter agreement shall expire one year from the date on which the undersigned ceases to be a director of the Company.

17. No licenses or rights under any patent, copyright, trademark, or trade secret are granted or are to be implied by this letter agreement.

18. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel of its choice throughout all negotiations that have preceded the execution of this agreement, and that it has executed the same with the advice of such independent counsel. Each party and its counsel cooperated and participated in the drafting and preparation of this agreement and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto exchanged among the parties shall be deemed the work product of all of the parties and may not be construed against any party by reason of its drafting or preparation. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this agreement against any party that drafted or prepared it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived by each of the parties hereto, and any controversy over interpretations of this agreement shall be decided without regards to events of drafting or preparation.

*            *             *


Please confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing and returning one copy of this letter to the undersigned, whereupon this letter agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.

 

Very truly yours,
AARON’S, INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Ronald Allen
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:

BRIAN R. KAHN

 

                                                 

EXHIBIT 10.2

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT is made and executed effective as of the     day of             , 2014 by and between Aaron’s, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “ Company ”), and             , an individual resident of the State of             (“ Indemnitee ”).

WHEREAS, the Company is aware that, in order to induce highly competent persons to serve the Company as directors or in other capacities, the Company must provide such persons with adequate protection through exculpation of directors from personal liability (as set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“ Articles ”)), the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws (“ Bylaws ”), directors and officers liability insurance, advancement of expenses and indemnification against risks of claims and actions against them, and against damage to their professional or personal reputations resulting from allegations, claims, actions and investigations, arising out of or relating to their service to and activities on behalf of the Company;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders that the Company act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify and advance the expenses of such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to guarantee such persons would realize the benefit of any subsequent changes in applicable law relating to indemnification or advancement of expenses so that they will continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified, thereby ensuring that the decisions of such persons for or on behalf of the Company will be independent, objective and in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to provide such persons with the specific contractual assurance that the exculpation from personal liability for directors, the right to directors and officers liability insurance and the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided to them remain available regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of the indemnification or advancement of expenses provisions in the Articles or the Bylaws or any change in composition or philosophy of the Company’s Board of Directors such as might occur following an acquisition or Change in Control of the Company; and

WHEREAS, to the extent requested, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve, and take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.

 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby agree as follows:

1. Indemnification . The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee is or was a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, a Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status to the fullest extent permitted by the Georgia Business Corporation Code, as amended (“ GBCC ”), as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended (but only to the extent any such amendment permits the Company to provide broader Indemnification rights than the GBCC permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment), whether the actions or omissions (or alleged actions or omissions) of Indemnitee giving rise to such Indemnification (including the advancing of Expenses) occurs or occurred before or after the Effective Date; provided , however , that, except as provided in Sections 6, 8 and 10 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to Indemnification or advancement of Expenses in connection with a Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee (other than in a Corporate Status capacity) against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless the Company has joined in or consented in writing to the initiation of such Proceeding.

2. Indemnification for Expenses When Acting as a Witness, Etc . To the extent that Indemnitee acts as a witness or other participant in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Expenses imposed upon or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith, without any further authorization, determination or action under the GBCC, the Articles, the Bylaws, this Agreement or otherwise.

3. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or was, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to and is successful on the merits or otherwise in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses imposed upon or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding, regardless of whether Indemnitee has met the standards set forth in the GBCC and without any further authorization, determination or action under the GBCC, the Articles, the Bylaws, this Agreement or otherwise. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses imposed upon or incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with each claim, issue or matter with respect to which Indemnitee was successful. For the purposes of this Section 3 and without limiting the foregoing, (a) the termination of any claim, issue or matter in any such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter, and (b) a decision by any government, regulatory or self-regulatory authority, agency or body not to commence or pursue any investigation, civil or criminal enforcement matter or case or in any civil suit, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

4. Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to Indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, claims, losses, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement imposed upon or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of a Proceeding covered by Section 1 of this Agreement, but is not entitled to Indemnification for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines, claims, losses, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement imposed upon or incurred by Indemnitee to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

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5. Notification of Proceeding and Defense of Claims Against Indemnitee .

(a) To obtain Indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification; provided that the failure to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise to the extent the failure or delay does not materially prejudice the Company. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s request for Indemnification shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding Section 10(e) of this Agreement, the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless for any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee under the immediately preceding sentence irrespective of the outcome of the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to Indemnification.

(b) The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is or was a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, provided , however , if Indemnitee concludes in good faith that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict, (b) the named parties in the Proceeding include both Indemnitee and the Company and Indemnitee concludes that there may be one or more legal defenses available to Indemnitee that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company, (c) any representation by such counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, or (d) following a Change in Control, the Company fails to engage counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel) at the Company’s expense.

(c) The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, provided , however , that the Company shall be deemed to have consented to any settlement if the Company does not object to such settlement within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for consent to such settlement. The Company shall be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee to settle any Proceeding in which Indemnitee is named as a party or has potential liability exposure, unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of the Proceeding.

(d) The Company will promptly notify its relevant insurers as soon as practicable after the receipt of a notice of a claim for Indemnification in accordance with the procedures and requirements of such policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

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6. Procedures for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification . The parties agree that the following procedures shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification under this Agreement ( provided ; however , in the event the procedures for determination of entitlement to Indemnification as currently set forth in the GBCC are amended to create any material inconsistency between such procedures in the GBCC and the procedures set forth below, the procedures set forth below shall also be deemed to be amended in the same manner to the extent necessary to remove the inconsistency without any further action on the part of the Company or Indemnitee):

(a) The Corporate Secretary of the Company (or in the absence of the Corporate Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company) shall, promptly upon receipt of a claim for Indemnification from Indemnitee as set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested Indemnification.

(b) Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 of this Agreement are intended to, and shall be deemed to, satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in Section 14-2-859(a) of the GBCC or any successor provision and any other requirements of applicable law such that the Company shall be obligated to the maximum extent possible to provide such indemnification and advancement of Expenses without any further requirements for authorization or action referred to in Sections 14-2-853(c) or 14-2-855(c) of the Code or any successor provision, the Articles, the Bylaws, this Agreement, or otherwise. The Company shall act in good faith and expeditiously take all actions necessary or appropriate to make available the Indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights provided for Indemnitee in this Agreement, and shall expeditiously take all actions necessary or appropriate to remove any impediments or obstacles to such Indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any further determination or action is required, then, at the request of Indemnitee, such determination or action shall be made by Independent Counsel proposed by the Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Independent Counsel shall determine as promptly as practicable whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification under this Agreement and applicable law and shall render a written opinion to the Company and to Indemnitee to such effect. The Company agrees to be bound by, and not contest, appeal or seek reconsideration of, such opinion of Independent Counsel. The Company further agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel within 20 days after Independent Counsel’s statement for professional services rendered is submitted to the Company, and to fully indemnify Independent Counsel against any and all expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Section 6 or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(c) Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to Indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request such documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, members of the Board of Directors, or shareholders of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under the Agreement of Indemnitee’s entitlement to Indemnification. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to Indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

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7. Presumptions and Effects of Certain Proceedings .

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to Indemnification or other rights under this Agreement, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification or such other rights under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to the presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its Board of Directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that Indemnification is proper, or other rights are available, in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its Board of Directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) To the extent such determination is required, if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6(b) of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification or other rights are available shall not have made a determination within 30 days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such Indemnification or other rights, absent (i) actual fraud in the request for Indemnification or such other rights, or (ii) prohibition of such Indemnification or other rights under applicable law; provided , however , that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 20 days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to Indemnification in good faith require(s) such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to Indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 7(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to Indemnification under this Agreement.

8. Advancement of Expenses .

(a) All Expenses actually incurred by Indemnitee as a party, witness or other participant by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status in connection with any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or on behalf of the Company) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, if so requested by Indemnitee, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances. Indemnitee may submit such statements from time to time.

(b) Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith; provided , however , that, following a Change in Control or in the event of a Proceeding brought by or in the name of the Company, the Company agrees that Indemnitee shall be required to submit to the Company only summary statements and invoices, and that, in connection with such submissions, Indemnitee shall have the right to withhold or redact any documents or information that are protected by the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine.

(c) Indemnitee’s submission of statements and requests for payment of Expenses pursuant to this Section 8 shall include or be accompanied by: (i) a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct necessary for Indemnification under the GBCC or that the Proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the Articles as authorized by Section 14-2-202(b)(4) of the GBCC, and (ii) a written undertaking, executed personally or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay any such amounts if it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. Such undertaking must be an unlimited general obligation of Indemnitee, but need not be secured and shall be accepted without reference to the financial ability of Indemnitee to make repayment.

(d) The Company shall make advance payment of Expenses to Indemnitee, without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to Indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.

(e) Indemnitee’s entitlement to advancement of Expenses under this Section 8 shall continue until such time as a final determination of the Proceeding for which advancement or Indemnification is sought hereunder.

(f) Indemnitee’s entitlement to the advancement of Expenses under this Agreement shall include those incurred in connection with any Proceeding by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding, or court application or arbitration to enforce this Agreement pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

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(g) Any advances or undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 8 shall be unsecured and interest free.

9. The Company’s Obligation to Pay Indemnification Amounts . The Company agrees to pay to or for the benefit of Indemnitee all amounts due and owing under its Indemnification obligations as determined pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement within 10 days after such determination has been made and delivered to the Company. All written opinions of Independent Counsel and all statements, invoices, judgments and/or settlement agreements subject to the Company’s Indemnification obligations under this Agreement shall be submitted to the Company at the address provided pursuant to Section 26 of this Agreement, and shall be deemed received by the Company on the date of mailing or overnight delivery, the date of transmission by electronic means, or the date of delivery by hand (as the case may be).

10. Remedies of Indemnitee in Cases of Determination not to Indemnify or to Advance Expenses or Refusal of the Company to Pay Indemnification Amounts .

(a) In the event that a determination is made that Indemnitee is not entitled to Indemnification hereunder or if the payment has not been timely made following a determination of entitlement to Indemnification pursuant to Section 6, or if Expenses are not advanced pursuant to Section 8, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an expeditious and final adjudication in the Business Case Division of the Fulton County Superior Court, State of Georgia (the “ Fulton County Business Court ”), which shall be the exclusive venue for any court action to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to such Indemnification or advance. The parties shall seek expedited resolution of the matter and agree that the Fulton County Business Court may summarily determine the Company’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees). The parties further agree to waive trial by jury with respect to the determination whether Indemnitee is entitled to advancement or Indemnification. Alternatively, Indemnitee may, at Indemnitee’s option, seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association, such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration. Any such adjudication or arbitration shall be limited to the Company’s obligations to Indemnitee under this Agreement, and the Company, therefore, shall not assert in such adjudication or arbitration any counterclaim against Indemnitee whatsoever, and shall not assert in such adjudication or arbitration, by counterclaim, defense, avoidance or otherwise, any contractual, legal or equitable right of recoupment, setoff, contribution, indemnification, release, waiver, estoppel, repudiation or breach of any express or implied covenant of Indemnitee; provided , however , that this sentence shall not prohibit the Company from asserting in such adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee did not meet any relevant standard of conduct required by applicable law for Indemnification. In the event that a determination has been made in a final adjudication or arbitration pursuant to this Section 10(a) that Indemnitee is entitled to any such Indemnification or advancement of Expenses, the Company shall pay interest on the amount awarded to Indemnitee. Interest shall accrue on such amount from the date such amount was required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement until the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to three (3) percent plus the prime interest rate published in The Wall Street Journal on the date such interest begins accruing.

 

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(b) In the event that a determination has been made pursuant to Section 6 that Indemnitee is not entitled to Indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 10 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section, the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to Indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

(c) If a determination has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 that Indemnitee is entitled to Indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 10, and shall be precluded from asserting that such determination has not been made or that the procedure for which such determination was made is not valid, binding and enforceable, absent (i) actual fraud in the request for Indemnification, or (ii) prohibition of such Indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 10 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 10, seeks a judicial adjudication or arbitration of his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any and all expenses (of the kinds described in the definition of Expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him of her in such judicial adjudication or arbitration, but only if he or she prevails therein. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the Indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

11. Other Rights to Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The rights to Indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement are cumulative, and not exclusive, and are in addition to any other rights to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under any provision of the Bylaws or Articles, any vote of shareholders or Disinterested Directors, any provision of law or otherwise. Except as required by applicable law, the Company shall not adopt any amendment to its Bylaws or Articles, the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber Indemnitee’s rights to Indemnification and advancement of Expenses under this Agreement.

 

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12. Director and Officer Liability Insurance .

(a) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of liability insurance, including broad form individual non-indemnifiable loss coverage (with difference-in-condition feature), with reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, including Expenses, and to ensure the Company’s performance of its Indemnification and advancement of Expenses obligations under this Agreement. Such coverage shall not be on terms of coverage or amounts less favorable to Indemnitee than those of the policies in effect on the date of this Agreement.

(b) The Company further agrees that all of the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect regardless of whether liability or other insurance coverage is at any time obtained or retained by the Company; except that any payments made to, or on behalf of, Indemnitee under an insurance policy shall reduce the obligations of the Company hereunder.

13. Subrogation . In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee. Following receipt of Indemnification payments pursuant to this Agreement, as further assurance, Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and take all action reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are reasonably necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

14. Spousal Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The Company shall provide Indemnitee’s spouse to whom Indemnitee is legally married at any time Indemnitee is covered under the Indemnification provided in this Agreement (even if Indemnitee did not remain married to him or her during the entire period of coverage) against any Proceeding for the same period, to the same extent and subject to the same standards, limitations, obligations and conditions under which Indemnitee is provided Indemnification herein, if Indemnitee’s spouse (or former spouse) becomes involved in a Proceeding solely by reason of his or her status as Indemnitee’s spouse, including, without limitation, any Proceeding that seeks damages recoverable from marital community property, jointly-owned property or property purported to have been transferred from Indemnitee to his/her spouse (or former spouse). Indemnitee’s spouse or former spouse also shall be entitled to advancement of Expenses to the same extent that Indemnitee is entitled to advancement of Expenses provided under Section 8 of this Agreement. The Company may maintain insurance to cover its obligations hereunder with respect to Indemnitee’s spouse (or former spouse) or set aside assets in a trust or escrow fund for that purpose; provided , however , that the Company agrees that the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect regardless of whether such liability or other insurance coverage is at any time obtained or retained by the Company; except that any payments made to, or on behalf of, Indemnitee’s spouse under such an insurance policy shall reduce the obligations of the Company hereunder.

15. Intent . This Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Articles, Bylaws, applicable law or otherwise. To the extent that a change in applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Articles, Bylaws, applicable law or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

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16. Effective Date . The provisions of this Agreement shall cover claims, actions, suits or proceedings whether now pending or hereafter commenced and shall be retroactive to cover acts or omissions or alleged acts or omissions which heretofore have taken place. The Company shall be liable under this Agreement, to the extent specified in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 14 of this Agreement, for all acts and omissions of Indemnitee while serving as a director, notwithstanding the termination of Indemnitee’s service, if such act was performed or omitted to be performed during the term of Indemnitee’s service to the Company.

17. Duration of Agreement . This Agreement shall survive and continue even though Indemnitee may have terminated his or her service as a director, agent or fiduciary of the Company or as a director, officer, partner, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other entity, including, but not limited to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, employee benefit plan, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or by reason of any act or omission by Indemnitee in any such capacity. This Agreement shall be binding upon the corporation and its successors and assigns, including, without limitation, any Company or other entity which may have acquired all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business or into which the Company may be consolidated or merged, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his/her spouse, successors, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors, administrators or other legal representatives. The Company shall require any successor or assignee (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

18. Disclosure of Payments . Except as required by any federal or state securities laws or other federal or state law, neither party shall disclose any payments under this Agreement unless prior approval of the other party is obtained.

19. Time of the Essence . The parties expressly agree time is of the essence with respect to all provisions of this Agreement.

20. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, all portions of any Sections of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, all portions of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifest by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. If any section, clause or part of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the Company in good faith shall expeditiously take all necessary or appropriate action to provide the Indemnitee with rights under this Agreement (including with respect to Indemnification, advancement of Expenses and other rights) that effect the original intent of this Agreement as closely as possible.

 

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21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

22. Captions . The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

23. Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

24. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “ Change in Control ” shall mean shall mean (1) an acquisition by a person of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, provided that any such securities acquired directly from the Company shall be excluded from the determination of such person’s beneficial ownership (but shall be included in calculating total outstanding securities); or (2) the individuals who are members of the Incumbent Board cease for any reason to constitute two-thirds of the Board of Directors; or (3) (i) a merger or consolidation involving the Company if the shareholders of the Company, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not own, immediately following such merger or consolidation, more than 80% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the resulting corporation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of voting securities immediately before such merger or consolidation or (ii) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(b) “ Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director of the Company or an individual who, while a director of the Company, is or was serving at the Company’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, entity, or other enterprise. Corporate Status also describes a person’s service in connection with an employee benefit plan at the Company’s request if such person’s duties to the Company also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, such person to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. Corporate Status includes, in reference to a particular person unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of such person.

(c) “ Disinterested Director ” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which Indemnification is being sought by Indemnitee.

(d) “ Effective Date ” means as of             ,             .

 

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(e) “ Enterprise ” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, agent or fiduciary.

(f) “ Expenses ” shall include, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating or being or preparing to be a witness in any Proceeding, in each case to the extent reasonable.

(g) “ Incumbent Board ” includes the individuals who as of             , 2014 are members of the Board of Directors and any individual becoming a director subsequent to             , 2014 whose election, or nomination for election by the corporation’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office (1) as a result of either an actual or threatened “election contest” (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the 1934 Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors (a “ Proxy Contest ”) or (2) with the approval of the other members of the Board of Directors, but by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle an actual or threatened Proxy Contest.

(h) “ Indemnification ” shall mean the indemnification obligation provided under Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 14 of this Agreement.

(i) “ Independent Counsel ” shall mean an attorney with an active membership in good standing in the State Bar of Georgia who is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither he or she, nor his or her law firm, presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any other matter material to either such party; or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for Indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(j) “ Proceeding ” shall include, without limitation, any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative in nature, and whether formal or informal, in which Indemnitee was, is, may be or will be involved as a party, witness or otherwise, by reason of Indemnitee’s status as a director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee or of any inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director of the Company, or by reason of Indemnitee’s

 

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service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise (in each case whether or not he or she is acting or serving in any such capacity or has such status at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which Indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement), or any foreign equivalent of the foregoing, except one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

25. Entire Agreement, Modification and Waiver . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto regarding the subject matter hereof, and no supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any act or omission of Indemnitee prior to the effective date of such supplement, modification or amendment unless expressly provided therein.

26. Notices . All notices, requests, demands or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand with receipt acknowledged by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or if (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested with postage prepaid, on the date shown on the return receipt:

 

(a)    If to Indemnitee to:
                                       
                                       
                                       
(b)    If to the Company, to:
   Aaron’s, Inc.
   309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
   Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2377
   Attention: General Counsel
   with a copy to:
   King & Spalding LLP
   1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.
   Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3521
   Attn: C. William Baxley

or to such other address as may be furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

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27. Governing Law . The parties hereto agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, applied without giving effect to any conflicts-of-law principles. Notwithstanding the above, the parties agree that decisions of Delaware courts interpreting and applying the similar indemnification and advancement provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation law shall be persuasive authority in the absence of Georgia appellate decisions interpreting the indemnification and advancement provisions of the GBCC.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

AARON’S, INC.
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  
INDEMNITEE
By  

 

Name: