As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2014

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

FRESHPET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-1884894

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

400 Plaza Drive, 1st Floor

Secaucus, New Jersey

  07094
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan

Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan

(Full title of the plans)

Richard Kassar

Chief Financial Officer

400 Plaza Drive, 1st Floor

Secaucus, New Jersey 07094

(201) 520-4000

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

Copies to:

Christian O. Nagler, Esq.

Andrew M. Herman, Esq.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 446-4800

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of securities

to be registered

 

Amount

to be
registered(1)

  Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share
 

Proposed
maximum
aggregate

offering price

 

Amount of

registration fee

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share

               

2014 Plan

  536,002(2)     $15.00(3)     $8,040,030.00     $934.25  

2014 Plan

  943,198(4)     $16.91(5)     $15,949,478.18     $1,853.33  

2010 Plan

  1,979,757(2)     $7.10(3)     $14,056,274.70     $1,633.34  

2006 Plan

  440,376(2)     $6.41(3)     $2,822,810.16     $328.01  

Total

  3,899,333         $40,868,593.04     $4,748.93  

 

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable because of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(2) Represents shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently outstanding under the Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), the Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan (the “2010 Plan”) and the Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan (the “2006 Plan”), as applicable, being registered hereon. Freshpet, Inc. was formerly known as Professor Connor’s, Inc.
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act and based upon the weighted average exercise price per share for outstanding stock option granted under the applicable plan.
(4) Represents shares of common stock that are currently authorized for issuance upon the exercise of awards that have not been granted under the 2014 Plan.
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act and based upon $16.91, the average of the high and low prices of the publicly traded common stock on December 5, 2014.

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

 

Item 1. Plan Information.

The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered in accordance with Form S-8 and Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act. Such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents, and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

The written statement required by Item 2 of Part I is included in documents delivered to participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act.


PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents, which have been filed by Freshpet, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:

(a) The Company’s prospectus filed on November 10, 2014 pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act, which prospectus is a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-198724); and

(b) The description of the Company’s common stock contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36729) filed with the Commission on November 5, 2014, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.

(c) The Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 19, 2014.

(d) The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on December 10, 2014.

All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such information, unless otherwise indicated therein) after the date of this Registration Statement, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) allows a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for this limitation of liability.

 

II-1


Section 145 of the DGCL (“Section 145”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who was, is or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred.

Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL and must also pay expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this section or otherwise.

In connection with the IPO, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

The underwriting agreement provides for indemnification to our directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

 

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Exhibits.

Reference is made to the attached Exhibit Index, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

  (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

 

II-2


in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

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

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

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

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

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

 

II-3


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Secaucus, State of New Jersey, on December 12, 2014.

 

FRESHPET, INC.
By:   /s/ Richard Kassar
  Name: Richard Kassar
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and appoints Richard Kassar, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, his or her true and lawful attorney-in fact and agent, with full powers to him to sign for us, in our names and in the capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments), granting unto said attorney, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney. This power of attorney may be executed in counterparts and all capacities to sign any and all amendments.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on December 12, 2014, in the capacities indicated.

 

Name

    

Title

/s/ Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson

    

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Richard Kassar

Richard Kassar

    

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

/s/ Charles A. Norris

Charles Norris

     Director

/s/ J. David Basto

J. David Basto

     Director

/s/ Daryl G. Brewster

Daryl G. Brewster

     Director

/s/ Lawrence S. Coben

Lawrence S. Coben

     Director

/s/ Walter N. George III

Walter N. George III

     Director

 

S-1


/s/ Christopher B. Harned

Christopher B. Harned

     Director

/s/ Robert C. King

Robert C. King

     Director

/s/ Jonathan S. Marlow

Jonathan S. Marlow

     Director

/s/ Craig D. Steeneck

Craig D. Steeneck

     Director

 

S-2


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
3.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Freshpet, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Freshpet, Inc.
5.1    Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2    Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)
99.1    Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan
99.2    Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan
99.3    Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan

Exhibit 3.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

FRESHPET, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

Freshpet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Freshpet, Inc. The date of filing of the Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was November 12, 2004. The Corporation was originally incorporated under the name Professor Connor’s, Inc. The Corporation was renamed Freshpet, Inc. on January 29, 2014.

2. The Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit A , which restates and further amends the provisions of the existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, has been duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and stockholders in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware with the adoption of the Corporation’s stockholders having been given by written consent in lieu of a meeting thereof in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Richard Kassar, its Chief Financial Officer, this 13th day of November 2014.

 

By:  

/s/ Richard Kassar

Name:   Richard Kassar
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT A

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

FRESHPET, INC.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of this corporation is Freshpet, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE TWO

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE THREE

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

ARTICLE FOUR

Section 1. Authorized Shares . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 300,000,000 shares, consisting of:

(a) 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”); and

(b) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”).

The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock shall have the rights, preferences and limitations set forth below.

Section 2. Preferred Stock . Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized, to provide by resolution or resolutions from time to time for the issuance, out of the authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, of all or any of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers (full, limited or no voting powers), designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series, including, without limitation, that any such series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices, (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable


in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of capital stock, (iii) entitled to such rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions, which resolution or resolutions shall be set forth on a certificate of designations filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. Except as otherwise provided in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), no vote of the holders of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a prerequisite to the designation of any series of Preferred Stock or the issuance of any shares thereof authorized by and complying with the conditions of this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, without the separate vote of the holders of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock as a class. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of designations in respect of any series of Preferred Stock, and subject to Section 1 of this ARTICLE FOUR, the Board of Directors is authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the certificate of designations in respect of any series of Preferred Stock, in case the number of shares of such series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

Section 3. Common Stock .

(a) Voting Rights . Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law or this Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be vested in the holders of the Common Stock, and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share held of record by such holder on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation generally. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation in respect of any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either as a separate series or together as a class with the holders of one or more such other series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation.

(b) Dividends . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive equally, on a per share basis, such dividends and other distributions in cash, securities or other property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

 

3


(c) Liquidation Rights . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the Corporation’s debts and subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed among holders of shares of Common Stock equally on a per share basis. A merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or a sale, lease, exchange, conveyance, license, encumbrance or other disposition of all or any part of the assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 3(c) .

ARTICLE FIVE

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE SIX

Section 1. Board of Directors, Number . Unless otherwise provided by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Delaware General Corporation Law, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Board of Directors shall initially be established at 10 directors.

Section 2. Classification of Directors . Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders occurring after this Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ Effective Time ”); the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders occurring after the Effective Time; and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders occurring after the Effective Time. The initial Class I directors shall be Christopher B. Harned, Daryl G. Brewster and Robert King, the initial Class II directors shall be J. David Basto, Walter N. George, Craig Steeneck and Lawrence S. Coben and the initial Class III directors shall be Charles A. Norris, Jonathan S. Marlow and Richard Thompson. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, each director elected to the class of directors whose term expires at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, disqualification or retirement. If the number of directors divided into classes as set forth herein is hereafter changed, any newly created directorship(s), or any decrease in the number of directors shall be so apportioned among the

 

4


classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as practicable. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Bylaws ”) shall so provide. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to their respective classes at the Effective Time.

Section 3. Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or any other cause shall be filled exclusively by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by stockholders. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, disqualification or retirement.

Section 4. Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any director may be removed from office at any time but only with cause, at a meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 5. Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock . Notwithstanding the provisions of this ARTICLE SIX, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the rights of such series of Preferred Stock as set forth in the certificate of designations or certificates of designations governing such series.

ARTICLE SEVEN

To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE SEVEN shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring at or prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

5


ARTICLE EIGHT

Section 1. No Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

Section 2. Annual Meetings of Stockholders . Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined exclusively by resolution of the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of directors and other business to be brought by stockholders at any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section 3. Special Meetings of Stockholders. Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation shall be called exclusively by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a written resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies, and shall not be called by stockholders. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

ARTICLE NINE

Section 1. Certificate of Incorporation . The Corporation reserves the right at any time from time to time to alter, amend, repeal or change any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and to adopt any other provision authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or vote may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of ARTICLE SIX, ARTICLE SEVEN, ARTICLE EIGHT, this ARTICLE NINE, ARTICLE TEN, ARTICLE ELEVEN or ARTICLE TWELVE may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or of the Bylaws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

Section 2. Bylaws . In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws. Any adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided a quorum is otherwise present. In addition to any other vote otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, with respect to the adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the

 

6


stockholders, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE TEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Section 1. Scope. The provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN are set forth to define, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the duties of Exempted Persons (as defined below) to the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities. “Exempted Persons” means MidOcean Partners III, L.P., MidOcean Partners III-A, L.P., MidOcean Partners III-D, L.P., Broad Sky Partners LLC and any other investment fund affiliated therewith and their respective successors and Affiliates (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) and all of their respective partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers and employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Corporation. “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person; the term “control,” as used in this definition, means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “controlled” and “controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. “Person” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

Section 2. Competition and Allocation of Corporate Opportunities . To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Exempted Persons shall not have any fiduciary duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to the Exempted Persons, even if the opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each such Exempted Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

 

7


Section 3. Certain Matters Deemed Not Corporate Opportunities. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to belong to the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that the Corporation is not financially or legally able or contractually permitted to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or that is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

Section 4. Amendment of this Article . To the fullest extent permitted by law, no amendment or repeal of this ARTICLE ELEVEN shall apply to or have any effect on the duties or on the liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to any activities or opportunities of which such Exempted Person shall have become aware prior to such amendment or repeal. This ARTICLE ELEVEN shall not limit or eliminate any protections or defenses otherwise available to, or any rights to exculpation from liability, indemnification or advancement of expenses of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement between the Corporation and such officer or director, or any applicable law.

Section 5. Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing, holding or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE ELEVEN.

ARTICLE TWELVE

Section 1. Forum. Unless this Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock) shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE TWELVE.

Section 2. Personal Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “ Foreign Action ”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 1 immediately above (an “ FSC Enforcement Action ”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Section 3. Payment of Legal Fees in Certain Proceedings . To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that any person or entity (the “ Claimant ”) (x) initiates or asserts (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (2) any claim of

 

8


breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or its stockholders, (3) any action against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine (each of the foregoing, a “ Claim ”), or joins any such Claim as a named party, and (y) does not thereby obtain a judgment on the merits that substantially achieves the full remedy or relief sought in the Claim, such Claimant shall be jointly and severally obligated to reimburse the Corporation for all fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and the fees of experts) actually and reasonably incurred by the Corporation in defending such Claim.

 

9

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

FRESHPET, INC.

A Delaware corporation

(Adopted as of November 13, 2014)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office . The address of the registered office of Freshpet, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The registered office and/or registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).

Section 2. Other Offices . The Corporation may have an office or offices other than said registered office at such place or places, either within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meetings . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate such place of meeting, either within or outside the State of Delaware, or the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 2. Annual Meeting . An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as is specified by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting, stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as may be properly brought before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 11 of ARTICLE II hereof. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders.

Section 3. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the Corporation’s


notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation). The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.

Section 4. Notice .

(a) Timing; Contents . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written notice of each annual and special meeting of stockholders stating the date, time and place, if any, of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different than the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation), to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting except as otherwise required by law.

(b) Form of Notice . All such notices shall be delivered in writing or by a form of electronic transmission if receipt thereof has been consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the Corporation. If given by facsimile telecommunication, such notice shall be deemed given when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice by facsimile. Subject to the limitations of Section 4(d) of this ARTICLE II, if given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed given (i) by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (x) such posting and (y) the giving of such separate notice by United States mail or facsimile transmission; and (iii) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the transfer agent of the Corporation or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

(c) Waiver of Notice . Whenever notice is required to be given under any provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the stockholder entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person or entity entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a stockholder of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

2


(d) Notice by Electronic Delivery . Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any notice to stockholders of the Corporation given by the Corporation under any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder of the Corporation to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices of meetings or of other business given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. For purposes of these Bylaws, except as otherwise limited by applicable law, the term “electronic transmission” means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Section 5. List of Stockholders . The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make available, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this section shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 6. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and

 

3


entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. If a quorum is not present, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another time and/or place. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on the matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

Section 7. Adjourned Meetings . Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to any other time and to any other place by the chairman of the meeting or by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, although less than a quorum. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

Section 8. Vote Required . When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall decide any question brought before the meeting (other than the election of directors), unless by express provisions of an applicable law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities or of the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of record of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of such directors.

Section 9. Voting Rights . Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation in respect of any series of preferred stock), each holder of record of capital stock shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder on the record date for voting for such meeting.

Section 10. Proxies . Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy executed or

 

4


transmitted in a manner permitted by applicable law, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. At each meeting of stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.

Section 11. Business Brought Before a Meeting of the Stockholders .

(A) Annual Meetings .

(1) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall be considered and such other business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who (i) is a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed or such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner is the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that there was no annual meeting in the prior year or the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In no event shall any adjournment, deferral or postponement of an annual meeting or the public announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and

 

5


there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(2) A stockholder’s notice providing for the nomination of a person or persons for election as a director or directors of the Corporation shall set forth (a) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (and for purposes of clauses (ii) through (ix) below, including any interests described therein held by any affiliates or associates (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for purposes of these Bylaws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner or by any member of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household or Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), in each case as of the date of such stockholder’s notice, which information shall be confirmed or updated, if necessary, by such stockholder and beneficial owner (x) not later than 10 days after the record date for the notice of the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date for the notice of the meeting, and (y) not later than 8 business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof to disclose such ownership as of the date that is 10 business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated information not later than 8 business days before any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before any such adjournment or postponement)) (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) (provided that a person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future) and owned of record by such stockholder or beneficial owner, (iii) the class or series, if any, and number of options, warrants, puts, calls, convertible securities, stock appreciation rights, or similar rights, obligations or commitments with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, right, obligation or commitment shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares or other securities of the Corporation (each a “Derivative Security”), which are, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, (iv) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, or relationship, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation by,

 

6


manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any class or series of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, or that provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series or capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, (v) a description of any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit (including any performance-based fees) derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares or other securities of the Corporation, (vi) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares or other securities of the Corporation, (vii) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or such beneficial owner or such Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (viii) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Securities held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, if any, (ix) a description of all agreements, arrangements, and understandings between such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person and any other person(s) (including their name(s)) in connection with or related to the ownership or voting of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Securities, (x) any other information relating to such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (xi) a statement as to whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to elect such stockholder’s nominees and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from the stockholders in support of such nomination and (xii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (b) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 promulgated

 

7


under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (iii) a completed and signed questionnaire regarding the background and qualifications of such person to serve as a director, a copy of which may be obtained upon request to the Secretary of the Corporation, (iv) all information with respect to such person that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 11 of ARTICLE II if such person were a stockholder or beneficial owner, on whose behalf the nomination was made, submitting a notice providing for the nomination of a person or persons for election as a director or directors of the Corporation in accordance with this Section 11 of ARTICLE II and (v) such additional information that the Corporation may reasonably request to determine the eligibility or qualifications of such person to serve as a director or an independent director of the Corporation, or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the qualifications and/or independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee as a director. For purposes of these Bylaws, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of any stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, (iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above and (iv) any person acting in concert in respect of any matter involving the Corporation or its securities with either such stockholder or any beneficial owner of any stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder.

(3) A stockholder’s notice regarding business proposed to be brought before a meeting of stockholders other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall set forth (a) as to the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, the information called for by clauses (a)(i) through (a)(ix) of the immediately preceding paragraph (2) (including any interests described therein held by any affiliates or associates of such stockholder or beneficial owner or by any member of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household, in each case as of the date of such stockholder’s notice, which information shall be confirmed or updated, if necessary, by such stockholder and beneficial owner (x) not later than 10 days after the record date for the notice of the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date for the notice of the meeting, and (y) not later than 8 business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof to disclose such ownership as of the date that is 10 business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated information not later than 8 business days before any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before any such adjournment or postponement)), (b) a brief description of (i) the business desired to be brought before such meeting, including the text of any resolution proposed for consideration by the stockholders, (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and (iii) any material interest of such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person in such business, including a

 

8


description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person and any other person(s) (including the name(s) of such other person(s)) in connection with or related to the proposal of such business by the stockholder, (c) as to the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (i) a statement as to whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner of Stockholder Associated Person intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to approve the proposal and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (ii) any other information relating to such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (d) if the matter such stockholder proposes to bring before any meeting of stockholders involves an amendment to the Corporation’s Bylaws, the specific wording of such proposed amendment, (e) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business and (f) such additional information that the Corporation may reasonably request regarding such stockholder or beneficial owner or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, and/or the business that such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of the special meeting given by or at the direction of the Board or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation). The notice of such special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by the Secretary (solely to the extent and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation) or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (a) is a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination or nominations are made, only if such beneficial owner is the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in paragraph (B) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II is delivered to the Corporation’s Secretary and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, (b) is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and (c) complies with the notice procedures set forth in

 

9


subparagraph (2) of paragraph (A) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall be delivered to the Corporation’s Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment, deferral or postponement of a special meeting or the public announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(C) General .

(1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 11 of this ARTICLE II, to be considered a “qualified representative” of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(2) For purposes of this section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service in the United States or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11 of ARTICLE II.

 

10


(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to (a) affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, (b) confer upon any stockholder a right to have a nominee or any proposed business included in the Corporation’s proxy statement, or (c) affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

(5) The chairman of the meeting of stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not properly made or any business was not properly brought before the meeting, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11 of ARTICLE II; if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such nomination not properly made or any business not properly brought before the meeting, as the case may be, shall not be transacted.

Section 12. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 12 of ARTICLE II at the adjourned meeting.

Section 13. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

11


Section 14. Conduct of Meetings .

(a) Generally . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, by the Chief Financial Officer, or in the absence of all of the foregoing, by the most senior officer of the Corporation present at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

(b) Rules, Regulations and Procedures . The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The chairman of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time or to recess the meeting.

(c) Inspectors of Elections . The Corporation may, and to the extent required by law shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and shall take charge of the polls and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law.

 

12


ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers . Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Annual Meetings . Except as otherwise from time to time determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place (if any) as, the annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3. Regular Meetings and Special Meetings . Regular meetings, other than the annual meeting, of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer (if such person is a director) or upon the written request of at least a majority of the directors then in office.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings . Notice of regular meetings of the Board of Directors need not be given except as otherwise required by law or these Bylaws. Notice of each special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of each regular and annual meeting of the Board of Directors for which notice shall be required, shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided in this Section 4. Any such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and of any regular or annual meeting for which notice is required, shall be given to each director at least (a) 24 hours before the meeting, if the notice is given by telephone, by delivery in person, or sent by facsimile, email or similar means or (b) 5 days before the meeting if delivered by mail to the director’s residence or usual place of business. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage prepaid, or when transmitted if sent by facsimile, email or similar means. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 5. Chairman of the Board, Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment . The Board of Directors may elect from among its ranks, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, a Chairman of the Board who shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. If the Chairman of the Board is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at such meeting (if the Chief Executive Officer is a director and is not also Chairman of the Board), and, if the Chief Executive Officer is not present at such meeting or is not a director, the Chief Financial Officer shall preside at such meeting (if the Chief Financial Officer is a director and is not also the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer), and, if the Chief Financial Officer is not present at such meeting or is not a director, a majority of the directors present at such meeting then in office shall elect one of their members to so preside. A majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Unless by express provision of an applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or

 

13


these Bylaws a different vote is required, the vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 6. Committees . The Board of Directors (i) may designate one or more committees consisting of one or more of the directors of the Corporation and (ii) shall, during such period of time as any securities of the Corporation are listed on a national securities exchange, designate all committees required by the rules and regulations of such exchange. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. Except to the extent restricted by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution creating it, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or as required by the rules and regulations of such exchange, if applicable. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors upon request.

Section 7. Committee Rules . Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. All matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, in the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the Board of Directors, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 8. Telephonic and Other Meetings . Unless restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

Section 9. Waiver of Notice . Any director may waive notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, by a written waiver signed by the director entitled to the notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the director entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of a director at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

14


Section 10. Action by Written Consent . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 11. Compensation . The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

Section 12. Reliance on Books and Records . A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of such director’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 13. Resignation . Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event or events.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number, Titles . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Marketing Officer, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that neither the Chief Executive Officer nor the President shall also hold the office of Secretary. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable, except that the offices of President and Secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as convenient. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or retirement as hereinafter provided.

 

15


Section 3. Removal . Any officer or agent elected by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4. Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, retirement or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Compensation . Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the Corporation; provided, however, that compensation of some or all executive officers may be determined by a committee established for that purpose if so authorized by the Board of Directors or as required by applicable law or any applicable rule or regulation, including any rule or regulation of any national securities exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are then listed for trading.

Section 6. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction, and management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or as are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a President or the office of the President is otherwise vacant, and no officer otherwise functions with the powers and duties of the President, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall also have all the powers and duties of the President.

Section 7. The President . The President, if there is such an officer and the Board of Directors so directs, shall serve as chief operating officer and have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of chief operating officer unless the Board of Directors provides for another officer to serve as chief operating officer (or to have the powers and duties of chief operating officer). The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. If the Board of Directors has not elected or appointed a Chief Executive Officer or the office of Chief Executive Officer is otherwise vacant, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall also have all the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 8. Chief Marketing Officer . The Chief Marketing Officer, if there is such an officer and the Board of Directors so directs, shall serve as the chief marketing officer and have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of chief marketing officer unless the Board of Directors provides for another officer to have the powers and duties of chief marketing officer. The Chief Marketing Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

16


Section 9. Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents . Each Senior Vice President and Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. One Senior Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

Section 10. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries . The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Any Assistant Secretary, if there is such an officer, shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors), shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

Section 11. The Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers . The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer or President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, if there is such an officer, to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to such office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate from time to time.

Section 12. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents . Officers, assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are provided for in these Bylaws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 13. Delegation of Authority . The Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.

Section 14. Officers’ Bonds or Other Security . If required by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors may require.

Section 15. Absence or Disability of Officers . In the case of the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation and of any person hereby authorized to act in such officer’s place during such officer’s absence or disability, the Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person selected by it.

 

17


ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Form . The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be represented by uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Marketing Officer, a Senior Vice President or a Vice President and (ii) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all signatures on any such certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, whose facsimile signature has been used on or who has duly affixed a facsimile signature or signatures to any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or certificates have been issued by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates, whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon or who duly affixed a facsimile signature or signatures thereon had not ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation.

Section 2. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock record of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his, her or its attorney thereunto authorized by the power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof. Certificated shares shall be transferred only upon surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power. Uncertificated shares shall be transferred by delivery of a duly executed stock transfer power. Registration of transfer of any shares shall be subject to applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law with respect to the transfer of such shares. The Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue and transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation.

Section 3. Transfer Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of securities of the Corporation.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Corporation may issue or direct a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any

 

18


certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, or of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

Section 5. Registered Stockholders . The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock of the Corporation to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of such shares. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any such shares of stock on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends . Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, in shares of the capital stock or in any combination thereof, subject to the provisions of applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors may think conducive to the interests of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserves in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2. Contracts . In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant to ARTICLE IV hereof, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 3. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Corporate Seal . The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no seal shall be required by virtue of this section.

 

19


Section 5. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation . Voting securities in any other Corporation held by the Corporation shall be voted (or consents in writing may be provided in respect thereof) by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Marketing Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary or any Senior Vice President or Vice President, unless the Board of Directors specifically confers authority to vote (or expresses consent in writing) with respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote or express consent with respect to such securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of substitution.

Section 6. Inspection of Books and Records . The Board of Directors shall have power from time to time to determine to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 7. Time Periods . Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, in applying any provision of these Bylaws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 8. Section Headings . Section headings in these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 9. Inconsistent Provisions . In the event that any provision of these Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable law, the provision of these Bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Right to Indemnification . Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the

 

20


Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time (“ERISA”), and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation (or has ceased to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan) and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this ARTICLE VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the first instance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 1 or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers.

Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification . If a claim for indemnification under this Article VII (which may only be made following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within 60 days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the indemnitee, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VII is not paid in full within 30 days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced (provided that the indemnitee has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 1 of this Article VII), the indemnitee shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. It shall be a defense to any action by a director or officer for indemnification or the advancement of expenses (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advancement of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 2 of this ARTICLE VII, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a

 

21


determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors, a committee thereof, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents of the Corporation for whom indemnification and advancement of expenses is provided pursuant to Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII shall be the same procedure set forth in this Section 2 for directors or officers of the Corporation, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification and advancement of expenses for such employees or agents of the Corporation.

Section 3. Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, against any expense, liability or loss 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 such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 4. Service for Subsidiaries . Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation (a “subsidiary” for this ARTICLE VII) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.

Section 5. Reliance . Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and other rights contained in this ARTICLE VII in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.

Section 6. Other Rights; Continuation of Rights to Indemnification . The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or under any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses under this ARTICLE VII shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each indemnitee who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this ARTICLE VII is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE VII or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws

 

22


shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses of such indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such repeal or modification.

Section 7. Merger or Consolidation . For purposes of this ARTICLE VII, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this ARTICLE VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

Section 8. Savings Clause . If this ARTICLE VII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and advance expenses to each person entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses under Section 1 of this ARTICLE VII as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and any other penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is available to such person pursuant to this ARTICLE VII to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this ARTICLE VII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, changed or repealed or new Bylaws adopted only in accordance with Article Nine, Section 2 of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

23

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

LOGO

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 446-4800

(212) 446-4900 (facsimile)

www.kirkland.com

December 12, 2014

Freshpet, Inc.

400 Plaza Drive, 1st Floor

Secaucus, New Jersey 07094

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as special counsel to Freshpet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) covering the offering by the Company of up to 3,899,333 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Plan Shares”) pursuant to the Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Freshpet, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan, and the Freshpet, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan (collectively, the “Plans”), as applicable.

For purposes of this letter, we have examined such documents, records, certificates, resolutions and other instruments deemed necessary as a basis for this opinion, and we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we advise you that the Plan Shares are duly authorized and when (i) the Registration Statement related to the Plan Shares becomes effective under the Act and (ii) the Plan Shares have been duly issued pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of each Plan, as applicable, and the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Plan Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws except the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

We have relied without independent investigation upon, among other things, an assurance from the Company that the number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue in its Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation exceeds the number of shares outstanding and the number of shares which the Company is obligated to issue (or had otherwise

 


LOGO

 

reserved for issuance) for any purposes other than issuances in connection with the Plans by at least the number of Plan Shares which may be issued in connection with the Plans, as applicable, and we have assumed that such condition will remain true at all future times relevant to this opinion. We have assumed that the Company will cause certificates, if any, representing the Plan Shares issued in the future to be properly executed and delivered and will take all other actions appropriate for the issuances of such Plan Shares.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the issuance and sale of the Plan Shares.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purposes.

 

Sincerely,
/s/ KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Freshpet, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our reports with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference herein.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey

December 12, 2014

Exhibit 99.1

FRESHPET, INC.

 

 

2014 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XV.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1 “ Affiliate means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (d) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Award constitutes “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.2 “ Award means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, a written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

2.3 “ Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award.

2.4 “ Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5 “ Cause means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting


agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to a Participant’s insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform the Participant’s duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity or materially unsatisfactory performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Delaware law.

2.6 “ Change in Control has the meaning set forth in 11.2.

2.7 “ Change in Control Price has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.

2.8 “ Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.

2.9 “ Committee means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan.

2.10 “ Common Stock means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company.

2.11 “ Company means Freshpet, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

2.12 “ Consultant means any Person who is an advisor or consultant to the Company or its Affiliates.

2.13 “ Disability means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.

2.14 “ Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XV.

2.15 “ Eligible Employees means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2


2.16 “ Eligible Individual means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.17 “ Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.18 “ Fair Market Value means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

2.19 “ Family Member means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.

2.20 “ Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if any) under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.21 “ Lead Underwriter has the meaning set forth in Section 14.20.

2.22 “ Lock-Up Period has the meaning set forth in Section 14.20.

2.23 “ Non-Employee Director means a director or a member of the Board of the Company or any Affiliate who is not an active employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.24 “ Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.25 “ Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to receive an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised, and (y) the aggregate exercise price of such right, otherwise than on surrender of a Stock Option.

2.26 “ Other Cash-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.3 of the Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

3


2.27 “ Other Stock-Based Award means an Award under Article X of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including, without limitation, an Award valued by reference to an Affiliate.

2.28 “ Parent means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.29 “ Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.30 “ Performance Award means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article IX hereof contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.

2.31 “ Performance Goals means goals established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable based on one or more of the performance goals set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

2.32 “ Performance Period means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.

2.33 “ Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a government or any branch, department, agency, political subdivision or official thereof.

2.34 “ Plan means this Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.35 “ Proceeding has the meaning set forth in Section 14.9.

2.36 “ Reference Stock Option has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

2.37 “ Registration Date means the date on which the Company sells its Common Stock in a bona fide, firm commitment underwriting pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act.

2.38 “ Reorganization has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b)(ii).

2.39 “ Restricted Stock means an Award of shares of Common Stock under the Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VIII.

2.40 “ Restriction Period has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock.

2.41 “ Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

 

4


2.42 “ Section 162(m) of the Code means the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations thereunder.

2.43 “ Section 409A of the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.

2.44 “ Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.45 “ Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII.

2.46 “ Stock Option or Option means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI.

2.47 “ Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.48 “ Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (i) the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock covered by such Stock Option (or such portion thereof), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Option (or such portion thereof).

2.49 “ Ten Percent Stockholder means a Person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.50 “ Termination means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

2.51 “ Termination of Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Consultant’s consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Consultancy” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

 

5


2.52 “ Termination of Directorship means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s directorship, such Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.

2.53 “ Termination of Employment means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Eligible Employee’s employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Employment” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.54 “ Transfer means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in any entity), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in any entity) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “Transferred” and “Transferable” shall have a correlative meaning.

2.55 “ Transition Period means the period beginning with the Registration Date and ending as of the earlier of: (i) the date of the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Company at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Registration Date occurs; and (ii) the expiration of the “reliance period” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(f)(2).

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 The Committee . The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee. To the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall qualify as (a) a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3, (b) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code and (c) an “independent director” under the

 

6


rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association, as applicable. If it is later determined that one or more members of the Committee do not so qualify, actions taken by the Committee prior to such determination shall be valid despite such failure to qualify.

3.2 Grants of Awards . The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to Eligible Individuals: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock Awards, (iv) Performance Awards; (v) Other Stock-Based Awards; and (vi) Other Cash-Based Awards. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority:

(a) to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(b) to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;

(c) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(d) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

(e) to determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(f) to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(g) to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted Stock under Section 6.4(d);

(h) to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;

(i) to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award;

(j) to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to Article XII and Section 6.4(l), provided, however, that such action does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant; and

 

7


(k) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise Options under the Plan.

3.3 Guidelines . Subject to Article XII hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and provisions for Persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent. To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3, and with respect to Awards intended to be “performance-based,” the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.

3.4 Decisions Final . Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

3.5 Procedures . If the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

3.6 Designation of Consultants/Liability .

(a) The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee. In the event of any

 

8


designation of authority hereunder, subject to applicable law, applicable stock exchange rules and any limitations imposed by the Committee in connection with such designation, such designee or designees shall have the power and authority to take such actions, exercise such powers and make such determinations that are otherwise specifically designated to the Committee hereunder.

(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any Person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.

3.7 Indemnification . To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such Person, each officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification the employees, officers, directors or members or former officers, directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to such individual under the Plan.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1 Shares . (a) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 1,479,200, shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be 1,479,200 shares. With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights settled in Common Stock, upon settlement, only the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to a Participant (based on the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Appreciation Right on the date such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised and the exercise price of each Stock Appreciation Right on the date such Stock Appreciation Right was awarded) shall count against the aggregate and individual share limitations set forth under Sections 4.1(a) and

 

9


4.1(b). If any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Awards granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any unexercised Award shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan. If any shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock awarded under the Plan to a Participant are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock shall again be available for purposes of Awards under the Plan. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option, such grant shall only apply once against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan. Any Award under the Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations.

(b) Individual Participant Limitations . To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards under the Plan to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the following individual Participant limitations shall only apply after the expiration of the Transition Period:

(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options, or Stock Appreciation Rights, or shares of Restricted Stock, or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant of such Award or the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is subject to the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 8.3(a)(ii) which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be 250,000 shares per type of Award (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), provided that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for all types of Awards does not exceed 250,000 shares (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) during any fiscal year of the Company. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with a Stock Option, it shall apply against the Participant’s individual share limitations for both Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options.

(ii) There are no annual individual share limitations applicable to Participants on Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant, vesting or payment (as applicable) of any such Award is not subject to the attainment of Performance Goals.

(iii) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be 250,000 shares (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) with respect to any fiscal year of the Company.

(iv) The maximum value of a cash payment made under a Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan with respect to any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be $5,000,000.

(v) The individual Participant limitations set forth in this Section 4.1(b) (other than Section 4.1(b)(iii)) shall be cumulative; that is, to the extent that shares of Common Stock for which Awards are permitted to be granted to a Participant during a fiscal year

 

10


are not covered by an Award to such Participant in a fiscal year, the number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards to such Participant shall automatically increase in the subsequent fiscal years during the term of the Plan until used.

(c) Annual Non-Employee Director Award Limitation . The aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of all Awards granted under the Plan to any individual Non-Employee Director in any fiscal year of the Company (excluding Awards made pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements in lieu of all or a portion of cash retainers and any stock dividends payable in respect of outstanding Awards) shall not exceed $250,000.

4.2 Changes .

(a) The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board, the Committee or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.1:

(i) If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, or combines (by reverse split, combination or otherwise) its outstanding Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant elected exercise and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(ii) Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.2(b)(i), if the Company effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction or event in such a manner that the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or other property of the Company or other entity (each, a “ Reorganization ”), then, subject to the provisions of Section 11.1, (A) the aggregate number or kind of securities that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (B) the number or kind of securities or other property (including cash) to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan (including as a result of the assumption of the Plan and the obligations hereunder by a successor entity, as applicable), or (C) the purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

 

11


(iii) If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.2(b)(i) or 4.2(b)(ii), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether cash or equity), any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, then the Committee may adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to the Plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iv) Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this Section 4.2(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under the Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.2.

(v) Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or this Section 4.2(b) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise or payment by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be required with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

4.3 Minimum Purchase Price . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.

ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 General Eligibility . All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3 General Requirement . The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, respectively.

 

12


ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1 Options . Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2 Grants . The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

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

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

(b) Stock Option Term . The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years.

(c) Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after the time of grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

 

13


(d) Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.4(c), to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option, or by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the Participant, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e) Non-Transferability of Options . No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(f) Termination by Death or Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(g) Involuntary Termination Without Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, all Stock

 

14


Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(h) Voluntary Resignation . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(i)(y) hereof), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(i) Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (x) is for Cause or (y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Section 6.4(h)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(j) Unvested Stock Options . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(k) Incentive Stock Option Limitations . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(l) Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options . Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may

 

15


not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

(m) Deferred Delivery of Common Stock . The Committee may in its discretion permit Participants to defer delivery of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a Participant’s exercise of an Option in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, which shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(n) Early Exercise . The Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Stock Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article VIII and be treated as Restricted Stock. Unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.

(o) Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option (a “ Reference Stock Option ”) granted under the Plan (“ Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights ”). In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.

7.2 Terms and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

 

16


(b) Term . A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock Option shall not be reduced until, and then only to the extent that the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes, the number of shares covered by the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and unexercised under the Reference Stock Option.

(c) Exercisability . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.4(c).

(d) Method of Exercise . A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the Reference Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2. Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent that the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise price per share specified in the Reference Stock Option agreement multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

(f) Deemed Exercise of Reference Stock Option . Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Reference Stock Option or part thereof to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in Article IV of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.

(g) Non-Transferability . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be Transferable under Section 6.4(e) of the Plan.

7.3 Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted without reference to any Stock Options granted under the Plan.

 

17


7.4 Terms and Conditions of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

(b) Term . The term of each Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not be greater than 10 years after the date the right is granted.

(c) Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.4, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such right may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 7.4(c), Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights to be exercised.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.

(f) Termination . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights will remain exercisable following a Participant’s Termination on the same basis as Stock Options would be exercisable following a Participant’s Termination in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.4(f) through 6.4(j).

(g) Non-Transferability . No Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.

7.5 Limited Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Tandem and Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights either as a general Stock Appreciation Right or as a Limited Stock Appreciation Right. Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or such other event as the Committee

 

18


may, in its sole discretion, designate at the time of grant or thereafter. Upon the exercise of Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall receive in cash and/or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, an amount equal to the amount (i) set forth in Section 7.2(e) with respect to Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, or (ii) set forth in Section 7.4(e) with respect to Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.6 Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant has failed to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Right on the date of expiration of such Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Appreciation Rights may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

ARTICLE VIII

RESTRICTED STOCK

8.1 Awards of Restricted Stock . Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including, the Performance Goals) or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, including to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

8.2 Awards and Certificates . Eligible Individuals selected to receive Restricted Stock shall not have any right with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement evidencing the Award to the Company, to the extent required by the Committee, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further, such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Purchase Price . The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. Subject to Section 4.3, the purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.

(b) Acceptance . Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of 60 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify at grant) after the grant date, by executing a Restricted Stock agreement and by paying whatever price (if any) the Committee has designated thereunder.

 

19


(c) Legend . Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock, unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by applicable securities laws, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

“The anticipation, alienation, attachment, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge of the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Freshpet, Inc. (the “Company”) 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and an Agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company dated                     . Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company.”

(d) Custody . If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.

8.3 Restrictions and Conditions . The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(a) Restriction Period . (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan during the period or periods set by the Committee (the Restriction Period ) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event that would accelerate vesting of the shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii) and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award.

(ii) If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage of the Restricted Stock applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may

 

20


incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. With regard to a Restricted Stock Award that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect.

(b) Rights as a Stockholder . Except as provided in Section 8.3(a) and this Section 8.3(b) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine at the time of grant that the payment of dividends shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period.

(c) Termination . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.

(d) Lapse of Restrictions . If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.

ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

9.1 Performance Awards . The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals. The Committee may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, as well as Performance Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Performance Award is payable in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be transferable to the Participant only upon attainment of the relevant Performance Goal in accordance with Article VIII. If the Performance Award is payable in cash, it may be paid upon the attainment of the relevant Performance Goals either in cash or in shares of Restricted Stock (based on the then current Fair Market Value of such shares), as determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Performance Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form that is not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee may from time to time approve. With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall condition the right to payment of any Performance Award upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(c).

 

21


9.2 Terms and Conditions . Performance Awards awarded pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Earning of Performance Award . At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(c) are achieved and the percentage of each Performance Award that has been earned.

(b) Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, Performance Awards may not be Transferred during the Performance Period.

(c) Objective Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards . With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the earning of Performance Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, amounts equal to dividends declared during the Performance Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Award will not be paid to the Participant.

(e) Payment . Following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Section 9.2(a), the Company shall settle Performance Awards, in such form (including, without limitation, in shares of Common Stock or in cash) as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to such Participant’s earned Performance Awards. With respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall be precluded from having discretion to increase the amount of compensation payable under the terms of such Award.

(f) Termination . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a given Performance Award, the Performance Award in question will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant.

 

22


(g) Accelerated Vesting . Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee may, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance Award.

ARTICLE X

OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH-BASED AWARDS

10.1 Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, stock equivalent units, restricted stock units, and Awards valued by reference to book value of shares of Common Stock. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion; provided that to the extent that such Other Stock-Based Awards are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the grant or vesting of such Other Stock-Based Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

10.2 Terms and Conditions . Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under this Article X may not be Transferred prior to the date on which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.

 

23


(b) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award.

(c) Vesting . Any Award under this Article X and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

(d) Price . Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration. Common Stock purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article X shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

10.3 Other Cash-Based Awards . The Committee may from time to time grant Other Cash-Based Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Other Cash-Based Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of an Other Cash-Based Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.

ARTICLE XI

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

11.1 Benefits . In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s unvested Award shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Award shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Common Stock on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards. For purposes hereof, Change in Control Price shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

 

24


(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.

11.2 Change in Control . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee, a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur if:

(a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, MidOcean Partners or its affiliates, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in paragraph (a), (c), or (d) of this Section 11.2 or a director whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such term is used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(c) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company

 

25


outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 11.2(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company; or

(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Person or Persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

11.3 Initial Public Offering not a Change in Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the Plan, the occurrence of the Registration Date or any change in the composition of the Board within one year following the Registration Date shall not be considered a Change in Control.

ARTICLE XII

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XIV or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided further, that without the approval of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of Section 4.2); (ii) increase the maximum individual Participant limitations for a fiscal year under Section 4.1(b) (except by operation of Section 4.2); (iii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (iv) decrease the minimum option price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; (v) extend the maximum option period under Section 6.4; (vi) alter the Performance Goals for Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards as set forth in Exhibit A hereto; (vii) award any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in replacement of a canceled Stock Option or Stock

 

26


Appreciation Right with a higher exercise price than the replacement award; or (viii) require stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code or, to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code. In no event may the Plan be amended without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, decrease the minimum exercise price of any Award, or to make any other amendment that would require stockholder approval under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and regulations or the rules of any exchange or system on which the Company’s securities are listed or traded at the request of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with applicable law including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

ARTICLE XIII

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

ARTICLE XIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

14.1 Legend . The Committee may require each Person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

14.2 Other Plans . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

27


14.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy . Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

14.4 Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.

14.5 No Assignment of Benefits . No Award or other benefit payable under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any Person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such Person.

14.6 Listing and Other Conditions .

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

(b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

 

28


(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 14.6, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

14.7 Stockholders Agreement and Other Requirements . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver a stockholder’s agreement or such other documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Board or Committee shall from time to time establish. Such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation shall apply to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation. The Company may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or other agreement).

14.8 Governing Law . The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

14.9 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any thereof, shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, the court of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and each Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

29


14.10 Construction . Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

14.11 Other Benefits . No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefit under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

14.12 Costs . The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to Awards hereunder.

14.13 No Right to Same Benefits . The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

14.14 Death/Disability . The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

14.15 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act . All elections and transactions under the Plan by Persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

14.16 Section 409A of the Code . The Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for

 

30


payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.

14.17 Successor and Assigns . The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

14.18 Severability of Provisions . If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

14.19 Payments to Minors, Etc . Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent Person or other Person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such Person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such Person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

14.20 Lock-Up Agreement . As a condition to the grant of an Award, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock (the Lead Underwriter ), a Participant shall irrevocably agree not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into, derivative of, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any other rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during such period of time following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that the Lead Underwriter shall specify (the Lock-Up Period ). The Participant shall further agree to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award until the end of such Lock-Up Period.

14.21 Headings and Captions . The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

14.22 Section 162(m) of the Code . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (i) prior to the Registration Date and during the Transition Period, the provisions of the Plan requiring compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall only apply to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, and (ii) the provisions of the Plan requiring compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code shall not apply to Awards granted under the Plan that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

31


14.23 Post-Transition Period . Following the Transition Period, any Award granted under the Plan that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be subject to the approval of the material terms of the Plan by a majority of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

14.24 Company Recoupment of Awards . A Participant’s rights with respect to any Award hereunder shall in all events be subject to (i) any right that the Company may have under any Company recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with a Participant, or (ii) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan shall become effective on October 2, 2014, which is the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE XVI

TERM OF PLAN

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date; provided that no Award (other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right) that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be granted on or after the fifth anniversary of the stockholder approval of the Plan unless the Performance Goals are re-approved (or other designated Performance Goals are approved) by the stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders approve the Performance Goals.

ARTICLE XVII

NAME OF PLAN

The Plan shall be known as the “Freshpet, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.”

 

32


EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE GOALS

To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, performance goals established for purposes of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be based on the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase or decrease (as applicable) in one or more of the following performance goals:

 

    earnings per share;

 

    operating income;

 

    gross income;

 

    net income (before or after taxes);

 

    cash flow;

 

    gross profit;

 

    gross profit return on investment;

 

    gross margin return on investment;

 

    gross margin;

 

    operating margin;

 

    working capital;

 

    earnings before interest and taxes;

 

    earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization;

 

    return on equity;

 

    return on assets;

 

    return on capital;

 

    return on invested capital;

 

    net revenues;

 

    gross revenues;

 

    revenue growth;

 

    annual recurring revenues;

 

    recurring revenues;

 

    license revenues;

 

    sales or market share;

 

    total shareholder return;

 

    economic value added;

 

    specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

    the fair market value of a share of Common Stock;

 

    the growth in the value of an investment in the Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; or

 

    reduction in operating expenses.

 

A-1


With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, also exclude, or adjust to reflect, the impact of an event or occurrence that the Committee determines should be appropriately excluded or adjusted, including:

(a) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items or events, and other unusual or non-recurring charges as described in Accounting Standards Codification 225-20, “Extraordinary and Unusual Items,” and/or management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K for the applicable year;

(b) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management; or

(c) a change in tax law or accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.

Performance goals may also be based upon individual participant performance goals, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. In addition, Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code may be based on the performance goals set forth herein or on such other performance goals as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

In addition, such performance goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division, other operational unit, administrative department or product category of the Company) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, but only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder approval), the Committee may also:

(a) designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based; or

(b) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.

 

A-2

Exhibit 99.2

PROFESSOR CONNOR’S, INC.

 

 

2010 STOCK OPTION PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XII hereof.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1 “ Acquisition Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d) hereof.

2.2 “ Affiliate means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (d) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Stock Option constitutes “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Stock Option to Section 409A of the Code.

2.3 “ Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to a Stock Option.

2.4 “ Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5 “ Cause means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to a


Participant’s insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform the Participant’s lawful duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity, materially unsatisfactory performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or an Affiliate, or breach of any material written agreement with the Company or its Affiliates of any confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or other restrictive covenant obligation owed to the Company, in each case, as determined by the Committee in its good-faith discretion; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement, whether or not such agreement terminates prior to the exercise or expiration of the Stock Option. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Delaware law.

2.6 “ Change in Control has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

2.7 “ Change in Control Price has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.

2.8 “ Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.

2.9 “ Committee means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan.

2.10 “ Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.

2.11 “ Company means Professor Connor’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

2.12 “ Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant to the Company or its Affiliates.

2.13 “ Disability means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.

2.14 “ Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XII hereof.

2.15 “ Eligible Employees means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2


2.16 “ Eligible Individual means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Stock Options subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.17 “ Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.18 “ Fair Market Value means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Stock Option, the applicable date shall be the business day (or trading day, as applicable) immediately prior to the date on which the Stock Option is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Stock Option, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

2.19 “ Family Member means “family member” as defined under Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

2.20 “ Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if any) under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.21 “ Independent Third Party shall mean any individual or entity or group of individuals or entities who, immediately prior to a Change in Control, does not own 5% or more of the Company’s capital stock on a fully diluted basis, who is not an Affiliate of such 5% owner of the Company’s capital stock and who is not the spouse or descendant (by birth or adoption) of any such 5% owner of the Company’s capital stock.

2.22 “ Lead Underwriter has the meaning set forth in Section 11.19 hereof.

2.23 “ Lock-Up Period has the meaning set forth in Section 11.19 hereof.

2.24 “ Non-Employee Director means a director or a member of the Board of the Company or any Affiliate who is not an active employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.25 “ Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.26 “ Other Extraordinary Event has the meaning in Section 4.2(b) hereof.

 

3


2.27 “ Parent means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.28 “ Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom a Stock Option has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.29 “ Plan means this Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.30 “ Proceeding has the meaning set forth in Section 11.9 hereof.

2.31 “ Section 4.2 Event has the meaning in Section 4.2(b) hereof.

2.32 “ Section 409A of the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.

2.33 “ Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.34 “ Stock Option or Option means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI hereof.

2.35 “ Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.36 “ Ten Percent Stockholder means a person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.37 “ Termination means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

2.38 “ Termination of Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Consultant’s consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Consultancy” does not subject the applicable Stock Option to Section 409A of the Code.

 

4


2.39 “ Termination of Directorship means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s directorship, such Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.

2.40 “ Termination of Employment means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Eligible Employee’s employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Employment” does not subject the applicable Stock Option to Section 409A of the Code.

2.41 “ Transfer means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in any entity), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in any entity) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “Transferred” and “Transferable” shall have a correlative meaning.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 The Committee . The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee.

3.2 Grants of Stock Options . The Committee shall have full authority:

(a) to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Stock Options may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(b) to make grants of Stock Options hereunder and to determine whether and to what extent Stock Options are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;

 

5


(c) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Stock Option granted hereunder;

(d) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Stock Option granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise price, any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Stock Option and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

(e) to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Stock Options under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(f) to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash and/or Common Stock under Section 6.4(d) hereof;

(g) to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;

(h) to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Stock Option, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Stock Option;

(i) to modify, extend or renew a Stock Option, subject to Article VIII and Section 6.4(1) hereof, provided, however, that such action does not subject the Stock Option to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant; and

(j) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise Options under the Plan.

3.3 Guidelines . Subject to Article VIII hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Stock Option issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent.

 

6


3.4 Decisions Final . Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

3.5 Procedures . If the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the By- Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

3.6 Designation of Consultants/Liability .

(a) The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) may grant authority to officers to grant Stock Options and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.

(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Stock Option granted under it.

3.7 Indemnification . To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification the employees, officers, directors or members or former

 

7


officers, directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to a Stock Option granted to such individual under the Plan.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1 Shares . The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 2,901,952 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be 2,901,952 shares. If any Option granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any unexercised Stock Option shall again be available for the purpose of Stock Options under the Plan. In addition, any shares of Common Stock exchanged by a Participant or withheld from a Participant as full or partial payment to the Company of the exercise price or tax withholding upon exercise a Stock Option under the Plan shall be added back to the foregoing maximum share limitation and may be made subject to Stock Options under the Plan pursuant to such limitation. Any Stock Option under the Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitation.

4.2 Changes .

(a) The existence of the Plan and the Stock Options granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(d) hereof, if there shall occur any such change in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification of shares that may be issued under the Plan, any recapitalization, any merger, any consolidation, any spin off, any reorganization or any partial or complete liquidation, or any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing (a “ Section 4.2 Event ”), then (i) the aggregate number and/or kind of shares that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number and/or kind of shares or other property (including cash) to be issued upon exercise of an outstanding Stock Option granted under the Plan, and/or (iii) the purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted. In addition, subject to Section 4.2(d) hereof, if there shall occur any change in the capital structure or the business of the Company that is not a Section 4.2 Event (an “ Other Extraordinary Event ”), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether cash or stock),

 

8


any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of stock, or any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, then the Committee, in its sole discretion, may adjust any Stock Option and make such other adjustments to the Plan. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 hereof shall be consistent with the applicable Section 4.2 Event or the applicable Other Extraordinary Event, as the case may be, and in such manner as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate and equitable to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan. Any such adjustment determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any Section 4.2 Event or any Other Extraordinary Event.

(c) Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Stock Options pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) hereof shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Stock Option has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

(d) In the event of a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity or in the event of any transaction that results in the acquisition of substantially all of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, or in the event of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (all of the foregoing being referred to as an “ Acquisition Event ”), then the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, effective as of the date of the Acquisition Event, by (i) cashing-out such Stock Options upon the date of consummation of the Acquisition Event, or (ii) delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Acquisition Event, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Acquisition Event, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Stock Options that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Acquisition Event, and, provided that, if the Acquisition Event does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void. If an Acquisition Event occurs but the Committee does not terminate the outstanding Stock Options pursuant to this Section 4.2(d), then the provisions of Section 4.2(b) and Article VII hereof shall apply.

4.3 Minimum Purchase Price . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.

 

9


ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 General Eligibility . All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Stock Options. Eligibility for the grant of Stock Options and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3 General Requirement . The vesting and exercise of Stock Options granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, respectively.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1 Options . Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2 Grants . The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

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

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.

(b) Stock Option Term . The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years.

 

10


(c) Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after the time of grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.4(c) hereof, to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option, or by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the Participant, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e) Non-Transferability of Options . No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section 6.4(e) is Transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(f) Termination by Death or Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a

 

11


Participant’s Termination is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(g) Involuntary Termination Without Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination without Cause, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(h) Voluntary Resignation . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(i)(y) hereof), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(i) Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (x) is for Cause or (y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Section 6.4(h)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(j) Unvested Stock Options . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(k) Incentive Stock Option Limitations . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

 

12


(l) Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options . Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, the Committee may, at its sole and absolute discretion, taking into account the impact of Section 409A of the Code, (i) lower the strike price of a Stock Option after it is granted, or take any other action with the effect of lowering the strike price of a Stock Option after it is granted, or (ii) permit the cancellation of a Stock Option in exchange for another Stock Option.

(m) Deferred Delivery of Common Stock . The Committee may in its discretion permit Participants to defer delivery of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a Participant’s exercise of an Option in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, which shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(n) Early Exercise . The Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Stock Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option. In the event of such an exercise, the shares of Common Stock issued in connection therewith shall remain subject to the otherwise applicable vesting conditions under the Stock Option. Unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.

(o) Cashing-Out of Stock Options . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, on receipt of written notice of exercise, the Committee may elect to cash-out all or part of the portion of the shares for which an Option is being exercised by paying the optionee an amount, in cash or shares of Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock over the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is being exercised on the effective date of such cash-out.

(p) Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 11.4 hereof. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

 

13


ARTICLE VII

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

7.1 Benefits . In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s unvested Stock Options shall be treated in accordance with one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a) Stock Options, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, have new rights substituted therefor or be treated in accordance with Section 4.2(d) hereof, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Stock Options by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the excess of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Stock Options, over the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 7.1, “ Change in Control Price ” shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of a Stock Option at any time.

7.2 Change in Control Defined . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement approved by the Committee, a “Change in Control” means: (a) any sale, merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, equity issuance or other transaction or series of related transactions involving an Independent Third Party, specifically excluding public offerings, which result in the stockholders immediately prior to the transaction(s) owning collectively less than 50% of the voting control immediately following the transaction(s); or (b) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company, taken as a whole, to an Independent Third Party in a single transaction or series of related transactions, excluding sales in the ordinary course of business, and sale/leaseback and corporate restructuring transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Stock Option that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be treated as a Change in Control hereunder unless such event also constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

7.3 Initial Public Offering not a Change in Control . Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the Plan, the completion of an initial public offering of the Common Stock or any change in the composition of the Board within one year following the completion of such an initial public offering shall not be considered a Change in Control.

 

14


ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XI hereof or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Stock Options granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided further, that without the approval of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of Section 4.2 hereof); (ii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Stock Options under the Plan; (iii) decrease the minimum option price of any Stock Option; (iv) extend the maximum option period under Section 6.4 hereof; (v) award any Stock Option in replacement of a canceled Stock Option with a higher exercise price than the replacement award, except in accordance with Section 6.4(1) hereof; or (vi) require stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may amend the terms of any Stock Option theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV hereof or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE IX

COMPANY CALL RIGHTS; RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL

9.1 Company Call Rights .

(a) In the event of a Participant’s Termination for Cause (or a voluntary Termination after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause), the Company may, at any time during the period commencing on the six (6)-month anniversary of such Termination and ending on the two (2)-year anniversary of such Termination, repurchase from the Participant any shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant through the exercise of a Stock Option under the Plan at a repurchase price equal to the lesser of (i) the original exercise price, and (ii) Fair Market Value as of the date of repurchase.

(b) In the event of a Participant’s Termination for any reason other than as described in Section 9.1(a) hereof, the Company may at any time after the six (6)-month anniversary of the date of such Termination or the date on which the Participant acquires shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award hereunder following such Termination: (i) repurchase from the Participant each outstanding vested Stock Option based on the difference between the exercise price of a share of Common Stock relating to such Stock Option and the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of repurchase, and (ii) repurchase from the

 

15


Participant any shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option under the Plan at a repurchase price equal to Fair Market Value as of the date of repurchase.

(c) If the Company elects to exercise the rights under this Section 9.1, the Company shall do so by delivering to the Participant a notice of such election, specifying the number of shares to be purchased and the closing date and time of such purchase. Such closing shall take place within thirty (30) days following such notice at the Company’s principal executive offices. At such closing, the Company shall pay the Participant the repurchase price as specified in this Section 9.1 in cash or by cancellation of indebtedness of the Participant.

9.2 Right of First Refusal . No Participant shall, directly or indirectly, Transfer any shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or legal representative) pursuant to a Stock Option under the Plan, unless in each such instance the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or legal representative) shall have first offered the Common Stock proposed to be Transferred pursuant to a bona fide offer by a third party to the Company. The right of first refusal must be exercised by the Company by delivering to the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or legal representative) written notice of such exercise within twenty (20) business days of the Company’s receipt of written notification of the proposed sale. Upon the exercise of a right of first refusal, the Common Stock proposed to be sold shall be purchased by the Company at the price per share offered to be paid by the prospective transferee, subject to Section 9.1 hereof in the case of a Participant’s Termination. The notice of exercise of the right of first refusal shall specify the date and location for the closing of such purchase.

9.3 Effect of Public Offering . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall cease to have rights pursuant to this Article IX following the completion of an initial public offering of the Common Stock.

ARTICLE X

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

ARTICLE XI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

11.1 Legend . The Committee may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates, if any, for such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules,

 

16


regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

11.2 Other Plans . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

11.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy . Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non- Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non- Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

11.4 Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.

11.5 No Assignment of Benefits . No Stock Option under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.

11.6 Listing and Other Conditions .

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

 

17


(b) If, at any time, counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Stock Options, and the right to exercise any Option shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 11.6, any Stock Option affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Stock Option.

(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

11.7 Stockholders Agreement and Other Requirements . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver a stockholder’s agreement or such other documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise, and such other terms as the Board or Committee shall from time to time establish. Such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation shall apply to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation. The Company may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or other agreement).

11.8 Governing Law . The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

11.9 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in respect thereof, shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, the court of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such

 

18


Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and each Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLAN OR ANY AWARD AGREEMENT, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

11.10 Construction . Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

11.11 Other Benefits . No Stock Option granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefit under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

11.12 Costs . The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to Stock Options hereunder.

11.13 No Right to Same Benefits . The provisions of Stock Options need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Stock Options to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

11.14 Death/Disability . The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of a Stock Option. The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

11.15 Section 409A of the Code . The Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Stock Option is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if a Stock Option that is

 

19


intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company.

11.16 Successor and Assigns . The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

11.17 Severability of Provisions . If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

11.18 Payments to Minors, Etc . Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

11.19 Lock-Up Restrictions . As a condition to the grant of a Stock Option, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock (the “ Lead Underwriter ”), a Participant shall irrevocably agree not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into, derivative of, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any other rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during such period of time following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that the Lead Underwriter shall specify (the “ Lock-Up Period ”). The Participant shall further agree to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Common Stock acquired pursuant to a Stock Option until the end of such Lock-Up Period.

11.20 Headings and Captions . The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

ARTICLE XII

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN; TERM OF PLAN

The Plan shall become effective on December 23, 2010, which is the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware. No Stock Option shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Stock Options granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date.

 

20

Exhibit 99.3

PROFESSOR CONNOR’S, INC.

2006 STOCK PLAN

1. E STABLISHMENT , P URPOSE AND T ERM OF P LAN .

1.1 Establishment. The Professor Connor’s, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan (the Plan ) is hereby established effective as of October 17, 2006.

1.2 Purpose . The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group. The Company intends that the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code (including any amendments or replacements of such section), and the Plan shall be so construed.

1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until its termination by the Board; provided, however, that all Awards shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or the date the Plan is duly approved by the stockholders of the Company.

2. D EFINITIONS AND C ONSTRUCTION .

2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

(a) “ Award means an Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

(b) Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award granted to the Participant.

(c) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, Board also means such Committee(s).

(d) Cause means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined with respect to an Award by the Participant’s Award Agreement or written contract of employment or service, any of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by a Participating Company’s code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a Participating Company (including, without limitation, the


Participant’s improper use or disclosure of a Participating Company’s confidential or proprietary information); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a Participating Company’s reputation or business; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment or service agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.

(e) Change in Control means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined with respect to an Award by the Participant’s Award Agreement or written contract of employment or service, the occurrence of any of the following:

(i) an Ownership Change Event or a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a Transaction ) in which the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or, in the case of an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(t)(iii), the entity to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the Transferee ), as the case may be; or

(ii) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting securities of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

(f) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

(g) Committee means the compensation committee or other committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.

(h) Company means Professor Connor’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.


(i) Consultant means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on either the exemption from registration provided by Rule 701 under the Securities Act or, if the Company is required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

(j) Director means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of any other Participating Company.

(k) Disability means the inability of the Participant, in the opinion of a qualified physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the major duties of the Participant’s position with the Participating Company Group because of the sickness or injury of the Participant.

(l) Employee means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individual’s rights, if any, under the terms of the Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination of whether or not the individual is an Employee, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive as to such rights, if any, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination as to such individual’s status as an Employee.

(m) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(n) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market or such other national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair


Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its discretion.

(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and subject to the applicable requirements, if any, of Section 409A of the Code.

(o) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

(p) Insider means an Officer, a Director of the Company or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(q) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(r) Officer means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.

(s) Option means a right granted under Section 6 to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(t) Ownership Change Event means the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; or (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(u) Parent Corporation means any present or future “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(v) “ Participant ” means any eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.

(w) Participating Company means the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.

(x) Participating Company Group means, at any point in time, all entities collectively which are then Participating Companies.

(y) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.


(z) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(aa) Service means a Participant’s employment or service with the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. A Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company. However, if any such leave taken by a Participant exceeds ninety (90) days, then on the ninety-first (91st) day following the commencement of such leave the Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated, unless the Participant’s right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participant’s Award Agreement. Except as otherwise provided by the Board, in its discretion, the Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of and reason for such termination.

(bb) Stock means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.

(cc) “ Stock Purchase Right ” means a right granted under Section 7 to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(dd) Subsidiary Corporation means any present or future “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

3. A DMINISTRATION .

3.1 Administration by the Board. The Plan shall be administered by the Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award.

3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.


3.3 Powers of the Board . In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject to each Award;

(b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options;

(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;

(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price of the Award, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise of the Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with the Award or such shares, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability of the Award or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of the expiration of the Award, (vi) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on any of the foregoing, and (vii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Award or such shares not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

(e) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;

(f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof;

(g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any Award or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service;

(h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Board deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Awards; and

(i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Board may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.

3.4 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.


3.5 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, members of the Board and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

4. S HARES S UBJECT TO P LAN .

4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be eight hundred forty-four thousand one hundred thirty seven (844,137) which shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof. If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled or if shares of Stock are acquired upon the exercise of an Award subject to a Company repurchase option and are repurchased by the Company at the Participant’s exercise or purchase price, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such Award or such repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

4.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure . Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, in the ISO Share Limit set forth in Section 5.3(a), and in the exercise or purchase price per share of any outstanding Awards in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event)


shares of another corporation (the New Shares ), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and the exercise price per share shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the exercise price of any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Award. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

5. E LIGIBILITY AND O PTION L IMITATIONS .

5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards . Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants and Directors.

5.2 Participation in Plan. Awards are granted solely at the discretion of the Board. Eligible persons may be granted more than one Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations.

(a) Maximum Number of Shares Issuable Pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Subject to Section 4.1 and adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed eight hundred forty-four thousand one hundred thirty seven (844,137) (the ISO Share Limit ). The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to all Awards other than Incentive Stock Options shall be the number of shares determined in accordance with Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2.

(b) Persons Eligible. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to a person who, on the effective date of grant, is an Employee. Any person who is not an Employee on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences Service as an Employee, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1.

(c) Fair Market Value Limitation . To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portions of such options which exceed such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and


the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option.

6. T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS OF O PTIONS .

Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from time to time establish. Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

6.1 Exercise Price . The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share for an Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b) no Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options . Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, and (c) with the exception of an Option granted to an Officer, a Director or a Consultant, no Option shall become exercisable at a rate less than twenty percent (20%) per year over a period of five (5) years from the effective date of grant of such Option, subject to the Participant’s continued Service. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

6.3 Payment of Exercise Price .

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased


pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash or by check or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a Cashless Exercise ), (iv) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (v) by any combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time to time, by approval of or by amendment to the standard forms of Award Agreement described in Section 8, or by other means, grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months (and were not used for another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

(ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.

6.4 Effect of Termination of Service .

(a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided by this Plan and unless a longer exercise period is provided by the Board in the grant of an Option and set forth in the Award Agreement, an Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section and thereafter shall terminate:

(i) Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option (the Option Expiration Date ).


(ii) Death. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the Participant’s termination of Service.

(iii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Participant’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service.

(iv) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law . Notwithstanding the foregoing other than termination for Cause, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 11 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Board, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to applicable legal limitations, if any, described in, applicable state laws, Rule 701 under the Securities Act, and the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

7. T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS OF S TOCK P URCHASE R IGHTS .

Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements, specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from time to time establish. Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:


7.1 Purchase Price . The purchase price under each Stock Purchase Right shall be established by the Board; provided, however, that (a) the purchase price per share shall be at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock either on the effective date of grant of the Stock Purchase Right or on the date on which the purchase is consummated and (b) the purchase price per share under a Stock Purchase Right granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall be at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock either on the effective date of grant of the Stock Purchase Right or on the date on which the purchase is consummated.

7.2 Purchase Period . A Stock Purchase Right shall be exercisable within a period established by the Board, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of the grant of the Stock Purchase Right.

7.3 Payment of Purchase Price. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the purchase price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Stock Purchase Right shall be made (a) in cash or by check or cash equivalent, (b) in the form of the Participant’s past service rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the aggregate purchase price of the shares being acquired, (c) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (d) by any combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time to time, by adoption of or by amendment to the standard form of Award Agreement described in Section 8, or by other means, grant Stock Purchase Rights which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the purchase price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

7.4 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Shares issued pursuant to any Stock Purchase Right may or may not be made subject to vesting conditioned upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria (the Vesting Conditions ) as shall be established by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. During any period (the Restriction Period ) in which shares acquired pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right remain subject to Vesting Conditions, such shares may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event or as provided in Section 7.5. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

7.5 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Board in the grant of a Stock Purchase Right and set forth in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant’s death or disability), then the Company shall have the option to repurchase for the purchase price paid by the Participant any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service; provided, however, that with the exception of shares acquired pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right by an Officer, a Director or a Consultant, the Company’s repurchase option must lapse at the rate of at least twenty percent (20%) of the shares per year over the


period of five (5) years from the effective date of grant of the Stock Purchase Right (without regard to the date on which the Stock Purchase Right was exercised) and the repurchase option must be exercised, if at all, for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the shares within ninety (90) days following the Participant’s termination of Service. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

7.6 Nontransferability of Stock Purchase Rights. Rights to acquire shares of Stock pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

8. S TANDARD F ORMS OF A WARD A GREEMENTS .

8.1 Award Agreements. Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Board and as amended from time to time. No Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement. Any Award Agreement may consist of an appropriate form of Notice of Grant and a form of Agreement incorporated therein by reference, or such other form or forms, including electronic media, as the Committee may approve from time to time.

8.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Board shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

9. C HANGE IN C ONTROL .

9.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards .

(a) Accelerated Vesting. The Board may, in its sole discretion, provide in any Award Agreement or, in the event of a Change in Control, may take such actions as it deems appropriate to provide for the acceleration of the exercisability and vesting in connection with such Change in Control of any or all outstanding Awards and shares acquired upon the exercise thereof upon such conditions, including termination of the Participant’s Service prior to, upon, or following such Change in Control, and to such extent as the Board shall determine.

(b) Assumption or Substitution of Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “ Acquiror ”), may, without the consent of any Participant, either assume or continue the Company’s rights and obligations under each or any Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for each or any such outstanding Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award for the Acquiror’s stock. For purposes of this Section, an Award shall be deemed assumed if,


following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled; provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Board may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each share of Stock subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. Any Award or portions thereof which are neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of an Award prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Award Agreement evidencing such Award except as otherwise provided in such Award Agreement.

(c) Cash-Out of Awards. The Board may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share (and each unvested share, if so determined by the Board) of Stock subject to such canceled Award in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control over the exercise price per share under such Award (the Spread ”). In the event such determination is made by the Board, the Spread (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to Participants in respect of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portion of their canceled Awards in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to such Awards as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

9.2 Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code.

(a) Excess Parachute Payment. In the event that any acceleration of vesting pursuant to an Award and any other payment or benefit received or to be received by a Participant would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code due to the characterization of such acceleration of vesting, payment or benefit as an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the Participant may elect, in his or her sole discretion, to reduce the amount of any acceleration of vesting called for under the Award in order to avoid such characterization.

(b) Determination by Independent Accountants. To aid the Participant in making any election called for under Section 9.2(a), no later than the date of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in an “excess parachute payment” to the Participant as described in Section 9.2(a), the Company shall request a


determination in writing by independent public accountants selected by the Company (the “ Accountants ”). As soon as practicable thereafter, the Accountants shall determine and report to the Company and the Participant the amount of such acceleration of vesting, payments and benefits which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For the purposes of such determination, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make their required determination. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Accountants may reasonably charge in connection with their services contemplated by this Section 9.2(b).

10. T AX W ITHHOLDING .

10.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan, or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise of an Option, to make adequate provision for, the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock or to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement until the Participating Company Group’s tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.

10.2 Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise of an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates.

11. C OMPLIANCE WITH S ECURITIES L AW .

The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of Awards shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities. Awards may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Award be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Award or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not


have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of any Award, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

12. A MENDMENT OR T ERMINATION OF P LAN .

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Section 4.2), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including the rules of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Board. Except as provided by the next sentence, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may adversely affect any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any participant, amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the Plan, including, but not limited to, Section 409A of the Code.

13. M ISCELLANEOUS P ROVISIONS .

13.1 Repurchase Rights. Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to a right of first refusal, one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions as determined by the Board in its discretion at the time the Award is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

13.2 Provision of Information. At least annually, copies of the Company’s balance sheet and income statement for the just completed fiscal year shall be made available to each Participant and purchaser of shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Award. The Company shall not be required to provide such information to key employees whose duties in connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent information. Furthermore, the Company shall deliver to each Participant such disclosures as are required in accordance with Rule 701 under the Securities Act.


13.3 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director. No person, even though eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or Director or interfere with or limit in any way any right of a Participating Company to terminate the Participant’s Service at any time. To the extent that an Employee of a Participating Company other than the Company receives an Award under the Plan, that Award shall in no event be understood or interpreted to mean that the Company is the Employee’s employer or that the Employee has an employment relationship with the Company.

13.4 Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided in Section 4.2 or another provision of the Plan.

13.5 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise or settlement of any Award.

13.6 Retirement and Welfare Plans. Neither Awards made under this Plan nor shares of Stock or cash paid pursuant to such Awards shall be included as “compensation” for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under any Participating Company’s retirement plans (both qualified and non-qualified) or welfare benefit plans unless such other plan expressly provides that such compensation shall be taken into account in computing such benefits.

13.7 Severability . If any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

13.8 No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or another Participating Company’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (b) limit the right or power of the Company or another Participating Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

13.9 Choice of Law. Except to the extent governed by applicable federal law, the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law rules.

13.10 Stockholder Approval. The Plan or any increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock issuable thereunder as provided in Section 4.1 (the “ Authorized Shares” ) shall be approved by a majority of the outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote within twelve (12) months before or after the date of adoption thereof


by the Board. Awards granted prior to security holder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Authorized Shares previously approved by the security holders shall become exercisable no earlier than the date of security holder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Authorized Shares, as the case may be.