UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) April 28, 2016

 

 

Global Water Resources, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

Delaware   001-37756   90-0632193

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

21410 N. 19th Avenue #220, Phoenix, Arizona   85027
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(480) 360-7775

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Underwriting Agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC

On April 28, 2016, Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “Underwriter”), related to its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,164,800 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). The Underwriting Agreement provided for a price to the public of $6.25 per share, and after giving effect to underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.4375 per share, the Underwriter agreed to purchase the shares from the Company at a price of $5.8125 per share. Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days, to purchase up to an additional 174,720 shares of Common Stock. The Offering, which was completed on May 3, 2016, was made pursuant to the Company’s effective Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-209025) (the “Base Registration Statement”), as supplemented by the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-210964) filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), both of which were previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein, and the above description of the material terms of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

Concurrently with the consummation of the Offering, GWR Global Water Resources Corp. (“GWRC”), which owned approximately 47.8% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock prior to the Offering, merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving as a Delaware corporation (the “Merger” and collectively with the Offering, the “Transactions”). At the effective time of the Merger, holders of GWRC’s common shares received one share of Common Stock for each then outstanding common share of GWRC. The 8,726,747 shares of Common Stock issued in the Merger were issued in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act for the issuance and exchange of securities approved, after a public hearing upon the fairness of the terms and conditions of the exchange, by the Supreme Court of British Columbia, which is authorized by law to grant such approval.

 

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

Election of Director

Effective upon consummation of the Transactions on May 3, 2016, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) increased the size of the Board to seven members and appointed Ron L. Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as a member of the Board to fill the vacancy created by such increase.

No arrangement exists between the Company and Mr. Fleming pursuant to which Mr. Fleming was appointed as a director, nor is Mr. Fleming a participant in any related party transactions required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Plan Amendments

Effective upon consummation of the Transactions on May 3, 2016, the Board adopted amendments to each of (i) the GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Stock Option Plan (as amended), (ii) the Global Water Resources, Inc. First Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, (iii) the Global Water Resources, Inc. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan, (iv) the Global Water Resources, Inc. Phantom Stock Unit Plan and (v) the GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan (collectively, the “Plan Amendments”). The Plan Amendments are not materially different from the forms of the Plan Amendments filed as Exhibit 10.17.3, Exhibit 10.18.2, Exhibit 10.19.2, Exhibit 10.20.2 and Exhibit 10.21.2, respectively, to the Base Registration Statement. The description of the Plan Amendments contained in such Base Registration Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation” is incorporated by reference herein.


The Plan Amendments are filed as Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 10.2, Exhibit 10.3, Exhibit 10.4 and Exhibit 10.5, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein, and the above description of the Plan Amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 

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

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

On April 28, 2016, in connection with the Offering, the Company filed its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restated Charter”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Pursuant to its terms, the Restated Charter became effective at 9:15 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 28, 2016 (the “Effective Time”). The Restated Charter is in the same form as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Base Registration Statement. The description of the provisions of the Restated Charter contained in the Base Registration Statement under the heading “Description of Capital Stock” is incorporated by reference herein.

The Restated Charter is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein, and the above description of the Restated Charter is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

Amended and Restated Bylaws

On April 28, 2016, in connection with the Offering, the Company amended and restated its bylaws (the “Restated Bylaws”), effective as of the Effective Time. The Restated Bylaws are in the same form as filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Base Registration Statement. The description of the provisions of the Restated Bylaws contained in the Base Registration Statement under the heading “Description of Capital Stock” is incorporated by reference herein.

The Restated Bylaws are filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein, and the above description of the Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

 

Item 5.05 Amendments to Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

On May 2, 2016, the Board approved and adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code of Conduct”) applicable to the Company’s directors, officers and employees. The Code of Conduct is intended to, among other things, promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company; and (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.

Pursuant to the Code of Conduct, loans by the Company to, or guarantees by the Company of obligations of, any director or executive officer or their family members are expressly prohibited. The Code of Conduct also provides that no director, officer or employee of the Company may purchase or sell any Company securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding the Company, and contains reporting and enforcement mechanisms. Waivers of the Code of Conduct for directors or executive officers of the Company must be approved by the Board. The Company intends to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Code of Conduct, or any waivers of the Code of Conduct, on its website or in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

The Code of Conduct, which is intended to comply with the requirements of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5610 and Section 406(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, is filed as Exhibit 14.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein, and the above description of the Code of Conduct is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated April 28, 2016, by and between Global Water Resources, Inc. and Roth Capital Partners, LLC
  3.1    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Global Water Resources, Inc.
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Global Water Resources, Inc.
10.1    Second Amendment to GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Stock Option Plan*
10.2    Amendment to Global Water Resources, Inc. First Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Plan*
10.3    Amendment to Global Water Resources, Inc. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan*
10.4    Amendment to Global Water Resources, Inc. Phantom Stock Unit Plan*
10.5    Amendment to GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan*
14.1    Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

* Compensation plan or arrangement


SIGNATURES

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

 

     

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: May 4, 2016      

/s/ Michael J. Liebman

Michael J. Liebman

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 1.1

EXECUTION VERSION

1,164,800 Shares

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

April 28, 2016

Roth Capital Partners, LLC

888 San Clemente Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Global Water Resources, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated in this Underwriting Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), to issue and sell to Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “ Underwriter ”) an aggregate of 1,164,800 authorized but unissued shares (the “ Firm Shares ”), of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”). The Company has granted the Underwriter the option to purchase an aggregate of up to 174,720 additional shares of Common Stock (the “ Option Shares ”) as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the offering (the Firm Shares and the Option Shares are herein collectively called the “ Underwritten Shares ”).

Concurrent with, and as a condition to, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Firm Shares on the Closing Date (as hereafter defined), the Company will complete a series of transactions described in the Pricing Disclosure Package under the heading the “Transactions-Reorganization Transaction”, which include (i) a merger of GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia company, (“ GWRC ”) with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the “ Reorganization Transaction ”) and (ii) a 100.68-for-one stock split (the “ Stock Split ”). All share and per share amounts herein are adjusted to reflect the Stock Split.

In the representations and warranties of the Company made as of dates on or after the Closing Date in Section 3(a) hereof, the “Company” shall refer to the Company after completion of the Reorganization Transaction.

The Company and the Underwriter hereby confirm their agreement as follows:

1. Registration Statement and Prospectus . The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-209025) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) and the rules and regulations (the “ Rules and Regulations ”) of the Commission thereunder relating to the Underwritten Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“ Rule 430 Information ”), is referred to herein as the “ Registration Statement ”; and as used herein, the term “ Preliminary Prospectus ” means each prospectus included in Part I of


such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) immediately before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in Part I of the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “ Prospectus ” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Underwritten Shares. If the Company has filed or files an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “ Rule 462 Registration Statement ”), then any reference herein to the term Registration Statement shall include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 promulgated under the Securities Act relating to the Underwritten Shares is hereinafter called an “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, ” “ Section 5(d) Communication ” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act and “ Section 5(d) Writing ” means any Section 5(d) Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively, the “ Pricing Disclosure Package ”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated April 13, 2016 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Schedule I(a) hereto.

Applicable Time ” means 6:00 A.M., Pacific time, on April 28, 2016.

A registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-37756) in respect of the registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), was filed with the Commission on April 26, 2016, and such registration statement, in the form thereof delivered to the Underwriter, was declared effective by the Commission (the “ Form 8-A Registration Statement ”). No other document with respect to such Form 8-A Registration Statement has theretofore been filed with the Commission.

For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Form 8-A Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system (“ EDGAR ”).

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company Regarding the Offering .

(a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4(c) below), except as otherwise indicated, as follows:

(i) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and the Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, did not contain any untrue statement of a

 

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material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter expressly for use in the Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(f) hereof.

(ii) The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(f) hereof.

(iii) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Section 5(d) Writing listed on Schedule I(b) hereto does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and Section 5(d) Writing, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Section 5(d) Writing listed on Schedule I(b), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(f) hereof.

(iv) Neither the Company nor GWRC has (A) engaged in or authorized any other person to engage in any Section 5(d) Communications, other than Section 5(d) Communications with the prior consent of the Underwriter with entities that are “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act or institutions that are “accredited investors” as defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities Act; and (B) distributed, or authorized any other person to distribute, any Section 5(d) Writings, other than those distributed with the prior consent of the Underwriter that are listed on Schedule I(b) hereto and the Company reconfirms that the Underwriter has been authorized to act on its behalf in engaging in Section 5(d) Communications in connection with the offering.

 

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(v) From January 1, 2015, through the date hereof, and of the initial filing of the Registration Statement by means of EDGAR, the Company has been and is presently, an “Emerging Growth Company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act. The Registration Statement (other than any Rule 462 Registration Statement) has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Underwritten Shares has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(f) hereof.

(vi) The financial statements of the Company, together with the related notes, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations and changes in cash flows for the periods therein specified in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. No other financial statements, pro forma financial information or schedules are required under the Securities Act to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus. To the Company’s knowledge, Deloitte & Touche LLP which has expressed its opinion with respect to certain of the financial statements and schedules filed as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing

 

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Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act, and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.

(vii) The Company had a reasonable basis for, and made in good faith, each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus.

(viii) All statistical or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources, to the extent required.

(ix) The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to the Form 8-A Registration Statement and the Underwritten Shares are approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange, subject to the satisfaction of customary listing conditions.

(x) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Underwritten Shares.

(xi) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Underwritten Shares and the application of the net proceeds thereof, will not be an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(xii) The information circular dated March 18, 2016 issued by GWRC with respect to the Reorganization Transaction (the “Information Circular”) complies with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the provinces and territories thereof, at the date of its issuance and at April 28, 2016 did not contain any “misrepresentation” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and did not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statement therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Underwriter or to the Underwriter’s counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter under this Agreement as to the matters covered thereby.

 

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3. Representations and Warranties Regarding the Company .

(a) The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with the Underwriter, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as follows:

(i) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other business entity in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC has the power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as currently being carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other business entity in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases real property or in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary and in which the failure to so qualify would have or is reasonably likely to result in a material adverse effect upon the business, prospects, properties, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or in its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement (“ Material Adverse Effect ”).

(ii) The Company has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to authorize, issue and sell the Underwritten Shares as contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and constitutes a valid, legal and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws and except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity. The Company and GWRC have the power and authority to enter into and perform the agreements relating to the Reorganization Transaction and to consummate the transactions provided for therein. Such agreements have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and GWRC, have been approved by all necessary corporate action of the Company and GWRC, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and GWRC, enforceable against each of the Company and GWRC in accordance with their terms.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and completion of the Reorganization Transaction and the Stock Split will not (A) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or any subsidiary or GWRC is subject, or by which any property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary or GWRC is bound or affected, except to the extent that such breach, violation or default is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (B) conflict with, result in any violation or breach of, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, lease,

 

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credit facility, debt, note, bond, mortgage, indenture or other instrument (the “ Contracts ”), Permit or obligation or other understanding to which the Company or any subsidiary or GWRC is a party of by which any property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary or GWRC is bound or affected, except to the extent that such conflict, default, termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation right is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Company’s or GWRC’s charter or by-laws.

(iv) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor GWRC is in violation, breach or default under its charter or by-laws.

(v) All consents, approvals, orders, authorizations and filings required on the part of the Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the completion of the Reorganization Transaction and the Stock Split have been obtained or made, other than (A) such filing with the State of Delaware and Province of British Columbia under the Delaware General Corporation Law and British Columbia Business Corporations Act of documents necessary to complete the Reorganization disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus which are to be obtained at or prior to closing, or (B) such consents, approvals, orders and authorizations the failure of which to make or obtain is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, and conform to the description thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Except for the issuances of options or restricted stock in the ordinary course of business, and other than in respect of the Underwritten Shares, since the respective dates as of which information is provided in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company has not entered into or granted any convertible or exchangeable securities, options, warrants, agreements, contracts or other rights in existence to purchase or acquire from the Company any shares of the capital stock of the Company. The Underwritten Shares have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance, and when issued and delivered against payment therefore as provided in this Agreement, will be validly issued and the issuance of the Underwritten Shares will be free of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights. The shares of Common Stock issuable in the Reorganization Transaction have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and, upon issuance will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock will be free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and restrictions upon voting and transfer, other than as a result of any “control share” restrictions, restrictions on holders that are affiliates of the Company, or other restrictions on resale that were applicable (or would have been applicable, had such shares been subject to U.S. securities laws) immediately prior to the Reorganization Transaction. The shares of Common Stock issuable in the Reorganization Transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities Act and from registration or qualification under all applicable state securities

 

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laws and are being issued in compliance with all applicable Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws. The Common Stock conforms to the description of the capital stock contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(vii) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC has filed all returns (as hereinafter defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC has paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined) shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or such respective subsidiary other than (1) as described or reflected in the Registration Statement, or (2) immaterial amounts or those amounts that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which reserves have been established on the books and records of the Company or GWRC, as applicable. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriter, (A) no material issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its subsidiaries or GWRC, and (B) no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its subsidiaries or GWRC. The term “ taxes ” means all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “ returns ” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.

(viii) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (A) none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or GWRC has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (B) neither the Company nor GWRC has declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock other than monthly dividends in accordance with past practice; (C) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or GWRC (other than a change in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock due to the Stock Split or due to the issuance of shares upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants or the issuance of restricted stock awards or restricted stock under the Company’s existing stock awards plan, or any new grants thereof in the ordinary course of business), (D) there has not been any material change in the Company’s or GWRC’s long-term or short-term debt, and (E) there has not been the occurrence of any Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(ix) There is not pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, any action, suit or proceeding to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or GWRC is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or its subsidiaries or GWRC is the subject before or by any court or governmental agency, authority or body, or any arbitrator or mediator, which, if resolved adversely to the Company or GWRC is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) The Company and each of its subsidiaries and GWRC holds, and is in compliance with, all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, consents, certificates and orders (“ Permits ”) of any governmental or self-regulatory agency, authority or body (including, without limitation, of the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality or any other agency or political subdivision of or municipality within the State of Arizona) required for the conduct of its business, and all such Permits are in full force and effect, in each case except where the failure to hold, or comply with, any such Permit would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xi) The Company and its subsidiaries and GWRC have good and marketable title to all property (whether real or personal) described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by them that are material to the Company (including, in the case of GWRC, the shares of Common Stock of the Company described as held by GWRC), in each case free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests, other encumbrances or defects, except those that are not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The property held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries is held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with only such exceptions with respect to any particular lease as do not interfere in any material respect with the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(xii) The Company and each of its subsidiaries and GWRC owns or possesses or has valid right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“ Intellectual Property ”) necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries or GWRC as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the Company or any of its subsidiaries will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property of others, except where such action, use, license or fee is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or GWRC has received any written notice alleging any such infringement or fee.

(xiii) The Company and each of its subsidiaries and GWRC has complied with, is not in violation of, and has not received any notice of violation relating to any law, rule or regulation relating to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or

 

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operation of its property and assets, including, without limitation, (A) the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, or any money laundering laws, rules or regulations of Canada or any other jurisdiction, (B) any laws, rules or regulations related to health, safety or the environment, including those relating to the regulation of hazardous substances, (C) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (D) the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the rules and regulations thereunder, (E) the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (F) any laws, rules or regulations of Canada, or any province or territory or political subdivision of Canada addressing similar subject matter to any of the foregoing, in each case except where the failure to be in compliance is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xiv) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or GWRC, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, representative, agent or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”) or any similar sanctions administered by any governmental agency in Canada or elsewhere; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Underwritten Shares contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or any similar sanctions administered by any governmental agency in Canada or elsewhere.

(xv) The Company and each of its subsidiaries and GWRC carries, or is covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

(xvi) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor GWRC, exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvii) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or GWRC, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto is in violation, breach or default of any Contract that is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xviii) No supplier, customer, distributor or sales agent of the Company has notified the Company that it intends to discontinue or decrease the rate of business done with the Company, except where such decrease is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) To the Company’s knowledge, there are no claims, payments, issuances, arrangements or understandings for services in the nature of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee with respect to the introduction of the Company to the Underwriter or the sale of the Underwritten Shares hereunder or any other arrangements,

 

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agreements, understandings, payments or issuances with respect to the Company or GWRC that may affect the Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.

(xx) Except as disclosed to the Underwriter in writing, neither the Company nor GWRC has made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to (A) any person, as a finder’s fee, investing fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or GWRC or introducing to the Company or GWRC persons who provided capital to the Company or GWRC, (B) any FINRA member, or (C) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member within the 12-month period prior to the date on which the Registration Statement was filed with the Commission (“ Filing Date ”) or thereafter.

(xxi) None of the net proceeds of the offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or any affiliate or associate of any participating FINRA member, except as specifically authorized herein.

(xxii) To the Company’s knowledge, no (A) officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries, (B) owner of 5% or more of the Company’s unregistered securities or that of its subsidiaries or (C) owner of any amount of the Company’s unregistered securities acquired within the 180-day period prior to the Filing Date, has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member. The Company will advise the Underwriter and its counsel if it becomes aware that any officer, director or stockholder of the Company or its subsidiaries is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the offering.

(xxiii) Other than the Underwriter, no person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(xxiv) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Underwritten Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or an “excluded issuer” as defined in Rule 164 under the Securities Act. The Company has paid the registration fee for this offering pursuant to Rule 456(b)(1) under the Securities Act or will pay such fee within the time period required by such rule (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

(xxv) Neither the Company nor GWRC has sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock or securities of GWRC during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or Regulation S of, the Securities Act, other than (A) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding convertible securities, options,

 

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rights or warrants, and (B) shares of Common Stock issuable in the Reorganization Transaction.

4. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Underwritten Shares.

(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Firm Shares to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to purchase the Firm Shares. The purchase price for each Firm Share shall be US$5.8125 per Share (the “ Per Share Price ”).

(b) The Company hereby grants to the Underwriter the option to purchase some or all of the Option Shares and, upon the basis of the warranties and representations and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriter shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the Option Shares at the Per Share Price as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. This option may be exercised by the Underwriter at any time (but not more than once) on or before the thirtieth day following the date hereof, by written notice to the Company (the “ Option Notice ”). The Option Notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised, and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the “ Option Closing Date ”); provided , however , that the Option Closing Date shall not be earlier than the Closing Date (as defined below) nor earlier than the first business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised unless the Company and the Underwriter otherwise agree.

Payment of the purchase price for and delivery of the Option Shares shall be made at the Option Closing Date in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Shares as set forth in subparagraph (c) below, including with regard to the conditions set forth in Section 6 below. For the purpose of expediting the checking of the certificate for the Option Shares by the Underwriter, the Company agrees to make a form of such certificate available to the Underwriter for such purpose at least one full business day preceding the Option Closing Date.

(c) The Firm Shares will be delivered by the Company to the Underwriter against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of same day funds payable to the order of the Company at the offices of Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable, at 6:00 a.m. PST, on the third (or if the Firm Shares are priced, as contemplated by Rule 15c6-1(c) under the Exchange Act, after 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, the fourth) full business day following the date hereof, or at such other time and date as the Underwriter and the Company determine pursuant to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Exchange Act, or, in the case of the Option Shares, at such date and time set forth in the Option Notice. The time and date of delivery of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, as applicable, is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date .” If the Underwriter so elects, delivery of the Firm Shares and Option Shares may be made by credit through full fast transfer to the account at The Depository Trust Company designated by the Underwriter. Certificates representing the Underwritten Shares, in definitive form and in such denominations

 

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and registered in such names as the Underwriter may request upon at least two business days’ prior notice to the Company, will be made available for checking and packaging not later than 10:30 a.m. PDT on the business day next preceding the Closing Date at the above addresses, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable.

5. Covenants.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriter as follows:

(i) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the Closing Date or such date as, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an underwriter or dealer (the “ Prospectus Delivery Period ”), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Underwriter for review and comment a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter reasonably objects.

(ii) From the date of this Agreement until the end of the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall promptly advise the Underwriter in writing (A) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission or any other securities regulatory authority or the Nasdaq Global Market or the Toronto Stock Exchange, (B) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (C) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and (D) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending its use or the use of the Pricing Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Common Stock from any securities exchange upon which it is listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time during the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will use its reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A and 430B, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or 164(b) of the Securities Act).

(iii) During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act, as now and hereafter amended, and by the Rules and Regulations, as from time to time in force, and by the Exchange Act, as now and hereafter amended, so far as necessary to permit the

 

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continuance of sales of or dealings in the Underwritten Shares as contemplated by the provisions hereof, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. If during such period any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus (or if the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Pricing Disclosure Package) would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such period it is necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the Company or its counsel or the Underwriter or its counsel to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus (or if the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Pricing Disclosure Package ) to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriter, allow the Underwriter the opportunity to provide reasonable comments on such amendment, Prospectus supplement or document, and will amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus (or if the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Pricing Disclosure Package) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

(iv) If at any time following the issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Section 5(d) Writing there occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Section 5(d) Writing would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company promptly will notify the Underwriter and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Section 5(d) Writing to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(v) The Company shall take or cause to be taken all necessary action to qualify the Underwritten Shares for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriter reasonably designates and to continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Underwritten Shares, except that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified, to file a prospectus or any offering document in any jurisdiction (other than the Registration Statement and Prospectus), to execute a general consent to service of process in any state or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise subject.

(vi) The Company will furnish to the Underwriter and counsel for the Underwriter copies of the Registration Statement, each Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Draft Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as the Underwriter may from time to time reasonably request.

(vii) The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 15 months after the end of the

 

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Company’s current fiscal quarter, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a 12-month period that shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations.

(viii) The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay or cause to be paid (A) all expenses (including transfer taxes allocated to the respective transferees) incurred in connection with the delivery to the Underwriter of the Underwritten Shares, (B) all expenses and fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel) incurred by the Company in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, delivery, and shipping of the Registration Statement (including the financial statements therein and all amendments, schedules, and exhibits thereto), the Underwritten Shares, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, (C) all reasonable filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of the Underwriter’s counsel incurred in connection with the qualification of the Underwritten Shares for offering and sale by the Underwriter or by dealers under the securities or blue sky laws of the states and other jurisdictions that the Underwriter shall designate, (D) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar, (E) the reasonable filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of Underwriter’s counsel incident to any required review and approval by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Underwritten Shares, (F) listing fees, if any, and (G) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder that are not otherwise specifically provided for herein. In addition to the foregoing, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for its reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Underwritten Shares contemplated hereby not exceeding US$25,000 (the “ Underwriter’s Expenses ”). If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 or Section 9, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket disbursements (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges) incurred by the Underwriter in connection with its investigation, preparing to market and marketing of the Shares or in contemplation of performing its obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum amount payable by the Company for fees and disbursements of the Underwriter’s counsel pursuant to this Section 5(a)(viii) exclusive of the Underwriter’s Expenses shall be US$150,000, exclusive of any indemnity obligations that the Company may have.

(ix) The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares to be sold by it hereunder for the purposes set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and in the Prospectus.

(x) The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any action designed to or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or that has constituted, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.

 

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(xi) The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Underwriter, and the Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Underwritten Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the free writing prospectuses included in Schedule I(a). The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending; and the Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions under Rule 433 under the Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show.

(xii) The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date hereof (“ Lock-Up Period ”), (A) offer, pledge, issue, sell, contract to sell, purchase, contract to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock; (B) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or (C) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The restrictions contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to (1) the Underwritten Shares to be sold hereunder, (2) the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of options or warrants disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto) or the Prospectus, (3) the issuance of employee stock options not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period and the grant of restricted stock awards or settlement in cash of restricted stock units pursuant to equity incentive plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto) and the Prospectus, or (4) issue common stock or warrants to purchase common stock in connection with mergers, acquisitions of securities, businesses, property or other assets, joint ventures, strategic alliances, equipment leasing arrangements or debt financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company ceases to be an “Emerging Growth Company” at any time prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and if (x) the Company issues an earnings release or material news, or a material event relating to the Company occurs, during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, or (y) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this clause shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless the Underwriter waives such extension in writing.

(xiii) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall file a Rule 462 Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 6:00 A.M., Pacific time, on April 28, 2016, and the Company shall at the time

 

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of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462 Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Securities Act.

(xiv) The Company agrees to promptly notify the Underwriter if the Company ceases to be an “Emerging Growth Company” at any time prior to the later of (A) the completion of the 180-day restricted period referred to in Section 5(a)(xii) hereof and (B) the completion of the distribution of the Underwritten Shares within the meaning of the Securities Act; provided, however, that the Company shall be under no obligation to provide such notification after the completion of the 180-day restricted period unless the Underwriter has previously notified the Company that it is still undertaking such distribution as of the completion of this restricted period.

6. Conditions of the Underwriter’s Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter hereunder to purchase the Underwritten Shares are subject to the accuracy, as of the date hereof and at the Closing Date (as if made at the Closing Date), of and compliance with all representations, warranties and agreements of the Company contained herein, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the following additional conditions:

(a) If the filing of the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, is required under the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Company shall have filed the Prospectus (or such amendment or supplement) or such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus with the Commission in the manner and within the time period so required (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or 164(b) promulgated under the Securities Act); the Registration Statement shall remain effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, any Rule 462 Registration Statement, or any amendment thereof, nor suspending or preventing the use of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued; no proceedings for the issuance of such an order shall have been initiated or threatened; and any request of the Commission or the Underwriter for additional information (to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the Underwriter’s satisfaction.

(b) The Common Stock and the Underwritten Shares shall be qualified and approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange, subject to the satisfaction of customary listing conditions.

(c) FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(d) The Underwriter shall not have reasonably determined, and advised the Company, that the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Section 5(d) Writing, contains an untrue statement of fact which, in the Underwriter’s reasonable opinion, is material, or omits to state a fact which, in the Underwriter’s reasonable opinion, is material and is required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not

 

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misleading and the Company shall not have promptly taken such action as is necessary to cure such untrue statement of material fact or material omission of fact.

(e) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded any of the Company’s securities by any “nationally recognized statistical organization,” as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act, and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s securities.

(f) On the Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter the opinion letters of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance as set forth in Schedule II(a) hereto.

(g) On the Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter the opinion letters of Canadian counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance as set forth in Schedule II(b) and Schedule II(c) hereto.

(h) The Underwriter shall have received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, with respect to such matters as the Underwriter may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(i) The Underwriter shall have received a letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP, on the date hereof and on the Closing Date addressed to the Underwriter, in a form acceptable to the Underwriter, confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualifications of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, and confirming, as of the date of each such letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of a date not prior to the date hereof or more than five days prior to the date of such letter), the conclusions and findings of said firm with respect to the financial information and other matters required by the Underwriter.

(j) On the Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter a certificate, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter, signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company, in their capacity as officers of the Company, to the effect that:

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality or by reference to any Material Adverse Effect are true and correct in all respects, and all other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, in all material respects, as if made at and as of the Closing Date, and the Company has complied in all material respects with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;

 

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(ii) No stop order or other order (A) suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof or any amendment thereof, (B) suspending the qualification of the Underwritten Shares for offering or sale, or (C) suspending or preventing the use of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, has been issued, and no proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or, to their knowledge, is contemplated by the Commission or any state or regulatory body; and

(iii) There has been no occurrence of any event resulting or reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect during the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date.

(k) On or before the date hereof, the Underwriter shall have received duly executed “lock-up” agreements, in a form attached hereto as Schedule III, between the Underwriter and each party named on Schedule IV.

(l) The Stock Split shall be effective and the Reorganization Transaction shall have closed, the merger that is a part of the Reorganization Transaction shall have been completed, and the Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Reorganization Transaction shall have been issued, in each case substantially as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Information Circular, and the Underwriter shall have received evidence to such effect in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter and its counsel.

(m) The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriter and its counsel such additional documents, certificates and evidence as the Underwriter or its counsel may have reasonably requested.

If any condition specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Underwriter by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Date and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except that Section 5(a)(viii), Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

7. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Underwriter or such person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, including the information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness and at any subsequent time pursuant to Rules 430A and 430B of the Rules and Regulations, or arise out of or are based upon the omission

 

19


from the Registration Statement, or alleged omission to state therein, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, any Section 5(d) Writing or the Information Circular or any communication with respect to the Reorganization Transaction, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or the Pricing Disclosure Package, or any such amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, any Section 5(d) Writing or the Information Circular or any communication with respect to the Reorganization Transaction, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) in whole or in part, any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, or (iv) in whole or in part, any failure of the Company or GWRC to perform its obligations hereunder or under law, and will reimburse the Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with evaluating, investigating or defending against such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however , that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, or any Section 5(d) Writing, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(f), other than losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of the Underwriter.

(b) The Underwriter will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, or any Section 5(d) Writing, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged

 

20


omission was made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, or any Section 5(d) Writing, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(f), and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party except to the extent such indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of the indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; provided , however , that if (i) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (ii) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party), or (iii) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ a single counsel to represent it in any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 7, in which event the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party or parties and reimbursed to the indemnified party as incurred.

The indemnifying party under this Section 7 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is a party or could be named and indemnity was or would be sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (a) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability for claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or

 

21


proceeding and (b) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other from the offering and sale of the Underwritten Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriter and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d). The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any action or claim that is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the Underwriter’s discounts and commissions referenced in Section 4(a) actually received by the Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have and the benefits of such obligations shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act; and the obligations of the Underwriter under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability that the Underwriter may otherwise have and the benefits of such obligations shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to the Company, and officers, directors and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.

 

22


(f) For purposes of this Agreement, the Underwriter confirms, and the Company acknowledges, that there is no information concerning the Underwriter furnished in writing to the Company by the Underwriter specifically for preparation of or inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, or any Section 5(d) Writing, other than the statements set forth in the last paragraph on the cover page of the Prospectus and the statements set forth in the “Underwriting” section of the Prospectus and Pricing Disclosure Package, only insofar as such statements relate to the amount of selling concession and re-allowance or to over-allotment and related activities that may be undertaken by the Underwriter.

8. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery . All representations, warranties, and agreements of the Company herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto, including, but not limited to, the agreements of the Underwriter and the Company contained in Section 5(a)(viii) and Section 7 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or any controlling person thereof, or the Company or any of its officers, directors, or controlling persons, and shall survive delivery of, and payment for, the Shares to and by the Underwriter hereunder.

9. Termination of this Agreement.

(a) The Underwriter shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving notice to the Company as hereinafter specified at any time at or prior to the Closing Date, if in the discretion of the Underwriter, (i) there has occurred any material adverse change in the securities markets or any event, act or occurrence that has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of the Underwriter, will in the future materially disrupt, the securities markets or there shall be such a material adverse change in general financial, political or economic conditions or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States as to make it, in the judgment of the Underwriter, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Underwritten Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the Underwritten Shares (ii) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the Nasdaq Global Market, or by Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the Toronto Stock Exchange or trading in securities generally on the Nasdaq Global Market, New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex or the Toronto Stock Exchange shall have been suspended, (iii) minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required, on the Nasdaq Global Market, New York Stock Exchange or the Toronto Stock Exchange, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction, (iv) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or state authorities, (v) there shall have occurred any attack on or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States resulting in any declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States or international political, financial or economic conditions or any other calamity or crisis, or (vi) the Company suffers any loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or (vii) in the judgment of the Underwriter, there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the assets, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of

 

23


operations, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 5(a)(viii) and Section 7 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

(b) If the Underwriter elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section, the Company shall be notified promptly by the Underwriter by telephone, confirmed by letter.

10. Notices . Except as otherwise provided herein, all communications hereunder shall be in writing and, (a) if to Roth, shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied to Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, telecopy number: (949) 720-7227, Attention: Managing Director; and (b) if to the Company, shall be (i) mailed, delivered or telecopied to Global Water Resources, Inc., 21410 North 19th Avenue, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85027, telecopy number: (623) 518-4100, Attention: Ron L. Fleming, President and CEO, and (ii) copied to Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., One Arizona Center, Phoenix, AZ 85004, telecopy number: (602) 382-6070), Attention: Michael M. Donahey (it being understood that delivery of such copy shall not constitute notice to the Company hereunder); or in each case to such other address as the person to be notified may have requested in writing. Any party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose.

11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and the controlling persons, officers and directors referred to in Section 7. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” as herein used shall not include any purchaser, as such purchaser, of any of the Underwritten Shares from the Underwriter.

12. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Underwriter has been retained solely to act as underwriter in connection with the sale of the Shares and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Underwriter has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Underwriter has advised or is advising the Company on other matters; (b) the price and other terms of the Shares set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Underwriter and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (c) it has been advised that the Underwriter and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Underwriter has no obligation to disclose such interest and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; (d) it has been advised that the Underwriter is acting, in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, solely for the benefit of the Underwriter, and not on behalf of the Company.

 

24


13. Amendments and Waivers . No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. The failure of a party to exercise any right or remedy shall not be deemed or constitute a waiver of such right or remedy in the future. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver be deemed or constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

14. Partial Unenforceability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph, clause or provision.

15. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

16. Submission to Jurisdiction . The Company irrevocably (a) submits to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of California for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (each a “ Proceeding ”), (b) agrees that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agrees not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum. THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS RESPECTIVE EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AND THE PROSPECTUS.

17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

25


Please sign and return to the Company the enclosed duplicates of this letter whereupon this letter will become a binding agreement between the Company and the Underwriter in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ron L. Fleming

Name: Ron L. Fleming
Title: President and CEO
 

 

Confirmed as of the date first above-
mentioned by the Underwriter.
ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Aaron M. Gurewitz

Name: Aaron M. Gurewitz
Title: Head of Equity Capital Market

[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]


SCHEDULE I

(a) FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES INCLUDED IN THE PRICING DISCLOSURE PACKAGE

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Relating to Preliminary Prospectus dated April 13, 2016

Registration Statement No. 333-209025

Dated April 27, 2016

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Relating to Preliminary Prospectus dated April 13, 2016

Registration Statement No. 333-209025

Dated April 28, 2016

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

1,164,800 Shares

 

Issuer:    Global Water Resources, Inc. (the “Company”)
Symbol:    GWRS
Security:    Shares of Common Stock
Size:    1,164,800 Firm Shares
Over-allotment option:    174,720 Option Shares
Public offering price:    US$6.2500 per Share
Underwriting discounts and commissions:    US$0.4375 per Share
Net proceeds (excluding the over-allotment):    US$4.6 million (after deducting the underwriter’s discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company)
Trade date:    April 28, 2016
Settlement date:    May 3, 2016
CUSIP No.:    379463 102
Underwriter:    Roth Capital Partners, LLC

 

Schedule I-1


The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a preliminary prospectus dated April 13, 2016) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.

You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the preliminary prospectus if you request it from Roth Capital Partners, LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, by telephone at 1-800-678-9147, by e-mail to rothecm@roth.com, by fax to (949) 720-7227. You may also access the most recent preliminary prospectus dated April 13, 2016 included in Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement via the following link: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1434728/000119312516539865/d82352ds1a.htm

This communication should be read in conjunction with the preliminary prospectus.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

(b) SECTION 5(D) WRITINGS

None.

 

Schedule I-2

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of

the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

*****

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), does hereby certify that:

FIRST : The name of this Corporation is Global Water Resources, Inc.

SECOND : The Corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) on May 2, 2008.

THIRD : The Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 21, 2010.

FOURTH : This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Certificate ”) amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

FIFTH : This Certificate shall become effective on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time.

SIXTH : Upon the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of this Certificate, the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended and restated in its entirety to be and read as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation on this 26th day of April, 2016.

 

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ron L. Fleming

Name:   Ron L. Fleming
Title:   President


EXHIBIT A

ARTICLE ONE

Name

The name of the Corporation is Global Water Resources, Inc . (hereinafter the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE TWO

Registered Office and Agent

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

ARTICLE THREE

Purpose

The purpose of the 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 “ DGCL ”).

ARTICLE FOUR

Authorized Stock

1. Total Authorized . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 65,000,000 shares, consisting of 60,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Preferred Stock ”). 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 capital stock representing a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock or any series thereof (unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Certificate of Designation designating a series of Preferred Stock), irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

2. Blank-Check Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.


ARTICLE FIVE

Election of Directors

Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation (the “ Bylaws ”) shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE SIX

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or to its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, if the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. No amendment to, modification of or repeal of this Article Six shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

ARTICLE SEVEN

Indemnification

The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses, and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “ Covered Person ”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, 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 a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for claims for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses not paid in full, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Seven shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE EIGHT

Amendment of Bylaws

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided that any Bylaw adopted or amended

 

2


by the Board of Directors, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class (in addition to any other vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, including but not limited to the terms of any Preferred Stock issued pursuant to a Certificate of Designation).

ARTICLE NINE

Matters Relating to Stockholders

1. Special Meetings of Stockholders . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to actions by the holders of shares of such series, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President (in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer), and may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

2. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors of the Corporation and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE TEN

Forum Selection

Unless the 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 (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (2) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article Ten.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”) or the Bylaws, from time to time, to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the

 

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Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are conferred subject to such right; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of applicable law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of this Corporation required by applicable law or by this Certificate of Incorporation (including but not limited to the terms of any Preferred Stock issued pursuant to a Certificate of Designation), any amendment to or repeal of this Article Eleven or Articles Six, Seven, Eight, Nine or Ten of this Certificate of Incorporation (or the adoption of any provision inconsistent therewith) shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

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Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Stockholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meetings . If required by applicable law, an annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication, as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings . Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President (in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer), and may not be called by any other person or persons. Any special meeting may be held either at a place, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may determine. Business transacted at special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

Section 1.3. Notice of Meetings . Notice of all meetings of stockholders shall be given in writing or by electronic transmission in the manner provided by applicable law (including, without limitation, as set forth in Section 7.4 of these Bylaws) stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed 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 from the record date for determining 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. Unless otherwise required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such notice shall be given not less than ten (10), nor more than sixty (60), days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

Section 1.4. Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, date and place (if any) thereof and the means of remote communications (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 thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of stockholders.


Section 1.5. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at each meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the chairperson of the meeting may adjourn the meeting without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until such quorum shall be present or represented by proxy. Shares of its own stock belonging to the corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however , that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity (or to count such shares for purposes of determining a quorum).

Section 1.6. Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by such person as the Board of Directors may designate or, in the absence of such a person, the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, if any, or in his or her absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. Such person shall be chairperson of the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 1.7. Voting; Proxies . Except as otherwise provided by or pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Such a proxy may be prepared, transmitted and delivered in any manner permitted by applicable law. A 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 stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. All other elections and questions presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the corporation or its securities, be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of the corporation which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.

 

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Section 1.8. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record .

(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix 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: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting; (2) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten (10) days from the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors; and (3) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action.

(b) If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting 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; (2) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and (3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. 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 the adjourned meeting.

Section 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The officer who has charge of the corporation’s stock ledger shall prepare and make, or cause to be prepared and made, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) 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. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal executive offices of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, 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 at the meeting. If

 

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the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall 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 the list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 1.9 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 1.10. Action By Written Consent of Stockholders . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal executive offices, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the corporation. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days after the earliest dated written consent received in accordance with this Section 1.10, a valid written consent or valid written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take such action are delivered to the corporation in the manner prescribed in this Section 1.10 and applicable law, and not revoked.

Section 1.11. Inspectors of Election .

(a) Unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the following provisions of this Section 1.11 shall apply only if and when the corporation has a class of voting stock that is: (i) listed on a national securities exchange; (ii) authorized for quotation on an interdealer quotation system of a registered national securities association; or (iii) held of record by more than two thousand (2,000) stockholders. In all other cases, observance of the provisions of this Section 1.11 shall be optional, and at the discretion of the Board.

(b) The corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.

 

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No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

(c) Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability.

(d) At a meeting of stockholders, the inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (ii) determine the shares of capital stock of the corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. The inspector(s) may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspector(s).

(e) The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced by the chairperson of the meeting at the meeting. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations thereof or changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspector(s) after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware upon application by a stockholder shall determine otherwise.

(f) In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspector(s) shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, any information provided in accordance with Section 211(e) or Section 212(c)(2) of the DGCL, or any information provided pursuant to Section 211(a)(2)b.(i) or (iii) of the DGCL, ballots and the regular books and records of the corporation, except that the inspector(s) may consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspector(s) consider other reliable information for the limited purpose permitted under the DGCL and set forth herein, the inspector(s) at the time they make their certification of their determinations pursuant to the relevant provisions of the DGCL set forth herein shall specify the precise information considered by them, including the person or persons from whom they obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors’ belief that such information is accurate and reliable.

Section 1.12. Conduct of Meetings . The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairperson presiding over the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall

 

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deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairperson presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, 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 presiding person 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 the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (y) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 1.13. Notice of Stockholder Business; Nominations .

(a) Annual Meeting of Stockholders .

(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (A) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (C) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section 1.13, who is entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.13.

(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 1.13(a)(i):

(A) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation;

(B) any such proposed business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board) must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action;

(C) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice, as that term is defined in this Section 1.13(a), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board, have

 

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delivered 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 carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial holder to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice; and

(D) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section 1.13(a), the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 1.13(a).

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which anniversary date, in the case of the first annual meeting following the closing of the corporation’s initial public offering, shall be deemed to be April 25, 2016); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (A) no earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and (B) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the tenth (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 the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(x) 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 solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or would be otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;

(y) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;

(z) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (i) the name and address of such

 

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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 that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, including, in the case of a nomination, the nominee, (iv) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder and any such beneficial owner, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the corporation, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, with respect to securities of the corporation, (v) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock 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 or nomination, (vi) a representation whether such stockholder or beneficial owner intends (or is part of a group that intends) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent being a “Solicitation Notice”), and (vii) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 1.13(a)(ii) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations 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. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the corporation may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the corporation.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 1.13(a)(ii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 1.13(a)(ii) and there is no Public Announcement by the corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 1.13 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive office of the corporation no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

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(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporation’s notice of such meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporation’s notice of such meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of the special meeting, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.13. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in the election of such 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 Section 1.13(a)(ii) is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation (y) no earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and (z) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (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 to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General .

(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.13 shall be eligible to be elected at a meeting of stockholders and 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 1.13. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.13 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made or solicited (or is part of a group that solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by Section 1.13(a)(ii) and, if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 1.13, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.13, unless otherwise required by law, 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 1.13(c), 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

 

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such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(ii) For purposes of this Section 1.13, the term “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.13, 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 herein; provided however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 1.13, and compliance with the requirements under this Section 1.13 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than, as provided in the penultimate sentence of Section 1.13(a)(ii), business other than nominations brought properly under and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, as may be amended from time to time). Nothing in this Section 1.13 shall be deemed to affect any rights of (A) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B) the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE II

Board of Directors

Section 2.1. Powers . The business and affairs of the corporation shall be carried on by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which shall have all the powers authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware, subject to such limitations as may be provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

Section 2.2. Number; Qualifications . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall consist of at least three (3) members, with the number thereof to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. No decrease in the authorized number of directors constituting the full Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.

Section 2.3. Election; Resignation; Vacancies . Directors shall be elected for such terms and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, any vacancy in the Board resulting from the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of any director or for any other reason, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors to be elected by all stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, may be filled by

 

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the stockholders, by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

Section 2.4. Removal . Any director may be removed by action taken at a meeting of the stockholders; provided, that the vacancy created by this removal shall be filled at the same stockholders’ meeting.

Section 2.5. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine. Notice of regular meetings need not be given if the date, times and places thereof are fixed by resolution of the Board.

Section 2.6. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson of the Board, the President or a majority of the members of the Board then in office and may be held at any time, date or place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the person or persons calling the meeting shall fix. Notice of the time, date and place of such meeting shall be given orally (in person, by telephone or otherwise), in writing or by electronic transmission (including electronic mail), by the person or persons calling the meeting to all directors at least four (4) days before the meeting (if the notice is mailed) or at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting (if such notice is given orally, in person, by telephone or otherwise, or by hand delivery, facsimile, or other means of electronic transmission, including electronic mail). Unless otherwise indicated in the notice, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 2.7. Telephonic Meetings Permitted . Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can speak to and hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Bylaw shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.8. Quorum; Vote Required for Action . At all meetings of the Board of Directors the directors entitled to cast a majority of the votes of the whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time without further notice thereof. Except in cases in which the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law otherwise provides, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.9. Organization . Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in their absence by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 2.10. Action by Unanimous Consent of Directors . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken

 

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without a meeting if all members of the Board 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 or committee, respectively, in the minute books of the corporation. 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 2.11. Compensation . The Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, may from time to time by resolution authorize the payment of fees or other compensation to the directors for services as such to the corporation, including, but not limited to, fees for attendance at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, and determine the amount of such fees and compensation. Directors shall in any event be paid their reasonable traveling expenses for attendance at all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor in amounts authorized or otherwise approved from time to time by the Board or any committee thereof.

Section 2.12. Board Policies . The Board of Directors may from time to time establish such policies for the Board and the corporation as the Board of Directors may consider appropriate for the exercise of effective oversight of the corporation’s business and affairs by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1. Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. 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 the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting of such committee who are not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving, adopting, or recommending to the stockholders any action or matter (other than the election or removal of members of the Board) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the corporation. Each committee shall operate pursuant to a charter approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.2. Committee Rules; Minutes . Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article

 

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II of these Bylaws. Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be prepared and shall report the same to the Board of Directors upon the request of the Board of Directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall be delivered to the Secretary of the corporation for placement in the minute books of the corporation.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1. Officers; Election; Qualifications; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . The Board of Directors shall elect a President and Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, choose a Chairperson of the Board and a Vice Chairperson of the Board from among its members. The Board of Directors may also choose a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable. All officers shall be elected by the Board; provided, however, that the Board may empower the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation to appoint any officer other than the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer. Each officer shall hold office until such person’s successor is appointed or until such person’s earlier resignation, death or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board or, if the vacancy is of an office that the Chief Executive Officer has been empowered to appoint, the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4.2. Powers and Duties of Officers . Subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the officers of the corporation shall manage the day-to-day operations of the corporation and shall have such powers and duties in the management of the corporation as may be prescribed in a resolution by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices. The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

Section 4.3. Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the control of the Board and such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board, the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation are:

(a) subject to the control of the Board, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the corporation;

(b) subject to Article I, Section 1.6 of these Bylaws, to preside at all meetings of the stockholders;

(c) subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and Article I, Section 1.2 of these Bylaws, to call special meetings of the stockholders to be held at such times and, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or by these Bylaws, at such places as he or she shall deem proper; and

(d) to affix the signature of the corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, guarantees, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments

 

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in writing which have been authorized by the Board or which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, should be executed on behalf of the corporation; and, subject to the direction of the Board, to have general charge of the property of the corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the corporation.

The person holding the office of President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation unless the Board shall have designated another person to be the Chief Executive Officer. If there is no President, and the Board has not designated any other person to be the Chief Executive Officer, then the Chairperson of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer until such time as a Chief Executive Officer or President shall have been appointed.

Section 4.4. President . The person holding the office of Chief Executive Officer shall be the President of the corporation unless the Board shall have designated one person as the President and a different person as the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and to the direction of the Board, and subject to the supervisory powers of the Chief Executive Officer (if the offices of Chief Executive Officer and President are not then held by the same person), the President shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the corporation and the general supervision and direction of all of the officers, employees and agents of the corporation (other than the Chief Executive Officer, if the offices of Chief Executive Officer and President are not then held by the same person) and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of President, including the power to sign certificates representing shares of capital stock of the corporation, or that are delegated to the President by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer (if such office is then held by a person other than the person holding the office of President).

Section 4.5. Chief Financial Officer . The person holding the office of Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer of the corporation unless the Board shall have designated another officer as the Treasurer of the corporation. Subject to the direction of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of Chief Financial Officer.

Section 4.6. Chief Operating Officer . The Chief Operating Officer shall have all such powers and duties as are commonly incident to the office of Chief Operating Officer or that are delegated to him or her by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Operating Officer may be designated by the Board to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer or President in the event of the Chief Executive Officer’s and President’s absence or disability.

Section 4.7. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have custody of all moneys and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements of the funds of the corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account of all such transactions. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Treasurer, including the power to sign certificates representing shares of capital stock of the corporation, or as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.

 

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Section 4.8. Secretary . The Secretary shall issue or cause to be issued all authorized notices for, and shall keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Secretary shall have charge of the corporate minute books and similar records and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Secretary, including the power to sign certificates representing shares of capital stock of the corporation, or as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.9. Delegation of Authority . The Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer of the corporation to any other officers or agents of the corporation, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 4.10. Removal . Any officer of the corporation shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board; provided that if the Board has empowered the Chief Executive Officer to appoint any officer of the corporation, then any such officer may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the corporation.

Section 4.11. Appointing Attorneys and Agents; Voting Securities of Other Entities . Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, the President or any Vice President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the corporation, in the name and on behalf of the corporation, to cast the votes which the corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation or other entity, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation or other entity, or to consent in writing, in the name of the corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation or other entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consents, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper. Any of the rights set forth in this Section 4.11 which may be delegated to an attorney or agent may also be exercised directly by the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Vice President.

Section 4.12. Compensation . The compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, and the fact that any officer is a director shall not preclude him or her from receiving compensation or from voting upon the resolution providing the same.

ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1. Certificates . The shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided, however, that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its capital stock may be 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,

 

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the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 5.2. Transfer of Stock . Stock of the corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law, the Certificate of Incorporation and in these Bylaws. Transfers of shares shall be made upon the transfer books of the corporation, kept at the office of the transfer agent designated to transfer the shares, only upon direction of the person named in the certificate if such certificate exists, or, in the case of uncertificated shares, only upon direction of the person named on the transfer agent’s records, or in either case by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing.

Section 5.3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock, or uncertificated shares, in the place of any certificate previously issued by it, 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, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

ARTICLE VI

Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses

Section 6.1. Right to Indemnification . The corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, 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 a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection therewith, provided such Covered Person acted in good faith and in a manner that the Covered Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of such Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in

 

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Section 6.3 of these Bylaws, the corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

Section 6.2. Prepayment of Expenses . The corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, (a) to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VI or otherwise, and (b) the corporation shall not be required to advance any expenses to a person against whom the corporation directly brings a claim alleging that such person has breached such person’s duty of loyalty to the corporation, committed an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or derived an improper personal benefit from a transaction.

Section 6.3. Claims .

(a) If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Article VI is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by the Covered Person has been received by the corporation, the Covered Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

(b) Neither the failure of the corporation (whether by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the standard of conduct for entitled to indemnification under applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (whether by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Covered Person has not met such standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Covered Person, be a defense to such suit.

(c) In any suit brought by the Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking provided hereunder, the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified, or is required to repay any amounts advanced pursuant to the terms of such undertaking, under this Article VI shall be on the corporation.

 

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Section 6.4. Nonexclusivity of Rights . The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VI and the limitations upon such rights, shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Additionally, nothing in this Article VI shall limit the ability of the corporation, in its discretion but subject to applicable law, to provide rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses to any person other than a Covered Person or to provide greater rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses than those provided in this Article VI to any Covered Person.

Section 6.5. Other Sources . The corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

Section 6.6. Insurance . The corporation may 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

Section 6.7. Nature of Rights; Amendments . The rights conferred upon Covered Persons in this Article VI shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under this Article VI shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to these Bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

Section 6.8. Other Indemnification and Prepayment of Expenses . This Article VI shall not limit the right of the corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board is authorized to cause the corporation to enter into agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any person 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 employee benefit plans, providing indemnification or advancement rights to such person. Such rights may be greater than those provided in this Article VI.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

Section 7.1. Bank Deposit, Checks, Etc . The funds of the corporation shall be deposited in the name of the corporation or of any division thereof in such banks or trust companies in the United States or elsewhere as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, or by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors may authorize to make such designations. All checks, drafts or other orders for the withdrawal of funds from any bank account shall be signed by such person or persons as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The signatures on checks, drafts or other orders for the withdrawal of funds may be in facsimile if authorized in the designation.

Section 7.2. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.3. Seal . The Board may provide for a corporate seal, which may have the name of the corporation inscribed thereon and shall otherwise be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board.

Section 7.4. Manner of Notice .

(a) Except as otherwise specifically required in these Bylaws (including, without limitation, Section 2.4 above or Section 7.4(b) below) or by applicable law, all notices required to be given pursuant to these Bylaws shall be in writing and may (i) in every instance in connection with any delivery to a member of the Board, be effectively given by hand delivery (including use of a delivery service), by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid, or by sending such notice by prepaid overnight express courier, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission and (ii) be effectively be delivered to a stockholder when given by hand delivery, by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid or, if specifically consented to by the stockholder as described in Section 7.4(b) of this Article VII, by sending such notice by electronic transmission. Any such notice shall be addressed to the person to whom notice is to be given at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the notice shall be deemed given (1) in the case of hand delivery, when received by the person to whom notice is to be given or by any person accepting such notice on behalf of such person, (2) in the case of delivery by mail, upon deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, (3) in the case of delivery by overnight express courier, when dispatched, and (4) in the case of delivery via electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission, when dispatched.

(b) Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL. 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 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

 

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inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. Notice given pursuant to this Section 7.4(b) shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of such posting and the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

(c) An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given in writing or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

Section 7.5. Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees . Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any waiver of notice.

Section 7.6. Form of Records . Any records maintained by the corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to any provision of the DGCL.

Section 7.7. Dividends . Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any, regular or special meeting or by any Committee of the Board of Directors having such authority at any meeting thereof, and may be paid in cash, in property, in shares of the capital stock or in any combination thereof. 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, deems 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 any proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

Section 7.8. Severability . If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, then such provision shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be enforced to the maximum extent possible consistent with such holding and the remaining provisions of these Bylaws (including

 

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without limitation, all portions of any section of these Bylaws containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation, that are not themselves invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation) shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 7.9. Amendment of Bylaws . These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws made, by the Board of Directors, but the stockholders may make additional Bylaws and may alter and repeal any Bylaws whether adopted by them or otherwise in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.

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Exhibit 10.1

SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE

GWR GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES CORP.

STOCK OPTION PLAN

GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia corporation (“ GWRC ”), previously established the GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Stock Option Plan approved as of January 9, 2012 (as amended, the “ Prior Plan ”). GWRC is being restructured by being merged with and into Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the surviving entity, which will simultaneously undertake a “going public” transaction that will result in the Company’s Common Shares being listed on NASDAQ. In connection with the merger transaction, the Company has agreed to assume the Prior Plan. By adoption of this Amendment, the Company now desires to amend the Prior Plan to reflect the merger with GWRC and the Company’s going public transaction, effective as of the date of the closing of the merger transaction (the “ Effective Date ”), as set forth below. As of the Effective Date, the name of the Prior Plan is hereby changed and shall be the Global Water Resources, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “ Plan ”).

1. This Amendment shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

2. The following definitions in Section 2 are hereby amended and restated or added as follows:

Affiliate ” means the Company and any other corporation or trade or business required to be aggregated with the Company which constitutes a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or Code Section 414(c) with the Company, except that in applying Code Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3), the language “at least 50%” is used instead of “at least 80%.”

Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board. At all times the Committee shall consist of at least two (2) or more individuals, each of whom qualifies as: (i) a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act; (ii) an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code;


and (iii) as “independent” for purposes of the applicable NASDAQ Listing Rules.

Company ” means Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation and any successor thereto.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. All references to the Exchange Act shall be interpreted to include a reference to any applicable regulations, rulings or other official guidance promulgated pursuant to such section of the Exchange Act.

Global Water ” means the Company and any Affiliates thereof designated by the Committee.

Market Value ” means (i) means the closing sale price of one Common Share as reported on the NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded) on the date such value is determined or, if Common Shares are not traded on such date, on the first immediately preceding business day on which Common Shares were so traded, or (ii) if the Company’s Common Shares are not traded on NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded), the fair market value of Common Shares on a particular date determined by the reasonable application of reasonable valuation methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Board shall use such procedures to determine fair market value in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not delegate its authority to determine Market Value.

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.

Plan ” means this Global Water Resources, Inc. Stock Option Plan as amended from time to time.

3. Section 2.1 is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Act.

4. Section 3.1 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, with respect to individuals who are non-employee directors, the Board. All references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall refer to the Committee or Board, as applicable. The Committee, by majority action thereof, is authorized to interpret the Plan, to prescribe,

 

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amend, and rescind rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, to provide for conditions and assurances deemed necessary or advisable to protect the interests of the Company, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, but only to the extent not contrary to the express provisions of the Plan. Determinations, interpretations, or other actions made or taken by the Committee in good faith pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes of the Plan.

5. The first sentence in Section 3.3 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

The Committee may, by resolution, delegate to one or more officers of the Company any or all of the powers conferred on the Committee under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee shall not be permitted to delegate the authority to grant Options to any individual who is, or may become, subject to Code Section 162(m) or Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

6. Section 5.8 shall be amended and restated as follows:

Common Shares shall constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

7. Section 5.9 is hereby deleted.

8. Section 7.4 is hereby deleted.

9. Section 9.1(i) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(i) any amendment required to be approved by the Company’s shareholders under applicable law (including, without limitations, the rules, regulations and policies of NASDAQ, Toronto Stock Exchange or any exchange on which the Common Shares are then traded).

10. Section 10.5 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

The Plan and all matters to which reference is made herein shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable therein.

11. This Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Prior Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amendment to be executed as of this 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

Global Water Resources, Inc.
By:  

Ron L. Fleming

Its:   President and CEO

 

4

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDMENT TO THE

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS PLAN

Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), previously established the Global Water Resources, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, which was most recently amended and restated in its entirety effective as of March 23, 2015 (the “ Plan ”). The Corporation is being restructured by (i) being the surviving entity in a merger with its largest stockholder, GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia corporation traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“ GWRC ”), and (ii) undertaking a “going public” transaction resulting in the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock being listed on NASDAQ. By adoption of this Amendment, the Corporation now desires to amend the Plan to reflect the merger with GWRC and its going public transaction, effective immediately prior to the date such transactions close (the “ Effective Date ”), as set forth below.

1. This Amendment shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

2. The second sentence of Section 1.1 (General Purpose) is hereby amended and restated as follows:

The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable the Company to attract and retain the types of Employee who will contribute to the long range success of the Company; (b) provided incentive that align the interest of Employees with those of the shareholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

3. Section 5.4 of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety.

4. The Glossary of the Plan is hereby amended by amending or inserting (as applicable) the following definitions:

Change in Control of the Company ” means, a “change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a


corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (treating the Company as the relevant corporation) provided, however, that for purposes of determining a “change in the effective control,” “50 percent” shall be used instead of “30 percent” and for purposes of determining a “substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” “85 percent” shall be used instead of “40 percent.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of either (i) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Company before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Company (or other surviving company), as the case may be, representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Company (or other surviving company), or (ii) any initial public offering of the Company Common Stock shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company.

Fair Market Value ” means (i) means the closing sale price of one share of Stock as reported on the NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Stock are then listed, quoted or traded) on the date such value is determined or, if Stock is not traded on such date, on the first immediately preceding business day on which Stock is so traded, or (ii) if the Company’s Stock is not traded on NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is then listed, quoted or traded), the fair market value of Stock on a particular date determined by the reasonable application of reasonable valuation methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Board shall use such procedures to determine fair market value in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not delegate its authority to determine Market Value.

Stock ” means the common stock of the Company.

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.

5. The Glossary of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “ GWRC ”.

6. This Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amendment to be executed as of this 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

Global Water Resources, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Ron L. Fleming

Its:   President and CEO

 

3

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDMENT TO THE

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

DEFERRED PHANTOM STOCK UNIT PLAN

Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), previously established the Global Water Resources, Inc. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan dated as of January 1, 2011 (the “ Plan ”). The Corporation is being restructured by (i) being the surviving entity in a merger with its largest stockholder, GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia corporation traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“ GWRC ”), and (ii) undertaking a “going public” transaction resulting in the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock being listed on NASDAQ. By adoption of this Amendment, the Corporation now desires to amend the Plan to reflect the merger with GWRC and its going public transaction, effective immediately prior to the date such transactions close (the “ Effective Date ”), as set forth below.

1. This Amendment shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

2. The following definitions in Section 1.1 ( Definitions ) are hereby amended and restated or inserted (as applicable) as follows:

Affiliate ” means the Corporation and any other corporation or trade or business required to be aggregated with the Corporation which constitutes a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or Code Section 414(c) with the Corporation, except that in applying Code Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3), the language “at least 50%” is used instead of “at least 80%”;

Eligible Director ” means any member of the Corporation’s Board of Directors who is also not a common law employee of the Corporation;

Issuer ” means the Corporation;

Market Value ” means (i) means the closing sale price of one Common Share as reported on the NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded) on the date such value is determined or, if Common Shares are not traded on such date, on the first immediately preceding business day on which Common


Shares were so traded, or (ii) if the Corporation’s Common Shares are not traded on NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded), the fair market value of Common Shares on a particular date determined by the reasonable application of reasonable valuation methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Board shall use such procedures to determine fair market value in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not delegate its authority to determine Market Value;

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Stock Exchange;

Redemption Date ” with respect to a Participant who had a Separation Date, means such date as the Corporation determines which shall be no later than 60 days after the Separation Date;

3. Section 1.1 (Definitions ) is hereby amended by deleting the definitions of “Redemption Notice and of “TSX .

4. The second sentence in Section 3.2 ( Grant Participants ) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

More specifically, the number of Deferred Phantom Stock Units to be granted to an Eligible Director will be determined by dividing the Entitlement by the closing price for a Common Share on the NASDAQ on the business day immediately preceding the DSU Issue Date.

5. Section 3.3 ( Redemption Notice ) is hereby deleted in its entirety.

6. The Flush language in Section 5.1 ( Amendment of Plan ) shall be amended and restated as follows:

shall only be effective upon such amendment, modification or change being approved by the Board, and, if required, by shareholders of the Corporation if required by NASDAQ or any other regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Corporation.

 

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7. Section 5.7 ( Interpretation ) shall be amended and restated as follows:

This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

8. This Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amendment to be executed as of this 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

Global Water Resources, Inc.
By:  

Ron L. Fleming

Its:   President and CEO

 

3

Exhibit 10.4

AMENDMENT TO THE

GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES, INC.

PHANTOM STOCK UNIT PLAN

Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), previously established the Global Water Resources, Inc. Phantom Stock Unit Plan, which was most recently amended and restated in its entirety effective as of May 1, 2015 (the “ Plan ”). The Corporation is being restructured by (i) being the surviving entity in a merger with its largest stockholder, GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia corporation traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“ GWRC ”), and (ii) undertaking a “going public” transaction resulting in the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock being listed on NASDAQ. By adoption of this Amendment, the Corporation now desires to amend the Plan to reflect the merger with GWRC and its going public transaction, effective immediately prior to the date such transactions close (the “ Effective Date ”), as set forth below.

1. This Amendment shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

2. Section 1.1 ( Definitions ) of the Plan is hereby amended by amending or inserting (as applicable) the following definitions:

Change in Control ” means, a “change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (treating the Corporation as the relevant corporation) provided, however, that for purposes of determining a “change in the effective control,” “50 percent” shall be used instead of “30 percent” and for purposes of determining a “substantial portion of the assets of the corporation,” “85 percent” shall be used instead of “40 percent.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of either (i) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Corporation before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Corporation (or other surviving company), as the case may be, representing more than fifty


percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Corporation (or other surviving company), or (ii) any initial public offering of the Corporation’s Common Stock shall not constitute a Change of Control;

Issuer ” means the Corporation;

Market Value ” means (i) means the closing sale price of one Common Share as reported on the NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded) on the date such value is determined or, if Common Shares are not traded on such date, on the first immediately preceding business day on which Common Shares were so traded, or (ii) if the Corporation’s Common Shares are not traded on NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded), the fair market value of Common Shares on a particular date determined by the reasonable application of reasonable valuation methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Board shall use such procedures to determine fair market value in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not delegate its authority to determine Market Value;

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Stock Exchange;

3. Section 1.1 ( Definitions ) of the Plan is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “ TSX ”.

4. Section 2.1 ( Purpose of the Plan ) of the Plan is hereby amended and restated as follows:

2.1. Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of this Plan is to strengthen the alignment of interests between Participants and the shareholders of the Corporation by linking certain types of compensation to the future value of the Common Shares. In addition, this Plan has been adopted to advance the interests of the Corporation and its Affiliates through the motivation, attraction and retention of employees. It is generally recognized that long term phantom equity plans aid in attracting, retaining and encouraging employees due to the

 

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opportunity offered to them to receive payment based on a proprietary interest in the Corporation.

5. Section 5.4 ( Rights as a Shareholder ) of the Plan is hereby amended and restated as follows:

5.4 Rights as a Shareholder

No holder of any Deferred Phantom Stock Units or Phantom Stock Units shall have any rights as a shareholder of the Corporation or any Affiliate at any time.

6. This Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amendment to be executed as of this 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

Global Water Resources, Inc.
By:  

Ron L. Fleming

  Its: President and CEO

 

3

Exhibit 10.5

AMENDMENT TO THE

GWR GLOBAL WATER RESOURCES CORP.

DEFERRED PHANTOM STOCK UNIT PLAN

GWR Global Water Resources Corp., a British Columbia corporation (“ GWRC ”), previously established the GWR Global Water Resources Corp. Deferred Phantom Stock Unit Plan dated as of January 1, 2011 (the “ Plan ”). GWRC is being restructured by being merged with and into Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), the surviving entity, which will simultaneously undertake a “going public” transaction that will result in the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock being listed on NASDAQ. By adoption of this Amendment, GWRC now desires to amend the Plan to reflect the merger with the Corporation (which will assume the Plan in connection with the merger) and the Corporation’s going public transaction, effective as of the date such transactions close (the “ Effective Date ”), as set forth below.

1. This Amendment shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

2. The following definitions in Section 1.1 ( Definitions ) are hereby amended and restated or inserted (as applicable) as follows:

Affiliate ” means the Corporation and any other corporation or trade or business required to be aggregated with the Corporation which constitutes a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or Code Section 414(c) with the Corporation, except that in applying Code Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3), the language “at least 50%” is used instead of “at least 80%”;

Corporation ” means Global Water Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and, for the sake of clarity, references to “ GWRI ” shall also refer to the Corporation);

Eligible Director ” means any member of the Corporation’s Board of Directors who is also not a common law employee of the Corporation;

Issuer ” means the Corporation;


Market Value ” means (i) means the closing sale price of one Common Share as reported on the NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded) on the date such value is determined or, if Common Shares are not traded on such date, on the first immediately preceding business day on which Common Shares were so traded, or (ii) if the Corporation’s Common Shares are not traded on NASDAQ (or other securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed, quoted or traded), the fair market value of Common Shares on a particular date determined by the reasonable application of reasonable valuation methods or procedures as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Board shall use such procedures to determine fair market value in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not delegate its authority to determine Market Value;

NASDAQ ” means the NASDAQ Stock Exchange;

Redemption Date ” with respect to a Participant who had a Separation Date, means such date as the Corporation determines which shall be no later than 60 days after the Separation Date;

3. Section 1.1 ( Definitions ) is hereby amended by deleting the definitions of “ Act ”, “ Redemption Notice ” and “ TSX ”.

4. Section 1.5 ( Canadian Funds ) is hereby deleted in its entirety.

5. The second sentence in Section 3.2 ( Grant Participants ) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

More specifically, the number of Deferred Phantom Stock Units to be granted to an Eligible Director will be determined by dividing the Entitlement by the closing price for a Common Share on the NASDAQ on the business day immediately preceding the DSU Issue Date.

6. Section 3.3 ( Redemption Notice ) is hereby deleted in its entirety.

7. The Flush language in Section 5.1 ( Amendment of Plan ) shall be amended and restated as follows:

 

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shall only be effective upon such amendment, modification or change being approved by the Board, and, if required, by shareholders of the Corporation if required by NASDAQ, Toronto Stock Exchange or any other regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Corporation.

8. Section 5.7 ( Interpretation ) shall be amended and restated as follows:

This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

9. This Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amendment to be executed as of this 3rd day of May, 2016.

 

GWR Global Water Resources Corp.
By:  

Ron L. Fleming

  Its: President and CEO

 

3

Exhibit 14.1

Global Water Resources, Inc.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

1. Introduction.

1.1 The Board of Directors of Global Water Resources, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) in order to:

(a) promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;

(b) promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Company;

(c) promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

(d) promote the protection of Company assets, including corporate opportunities and confidential information;

(e) promote fair dealing practices;

(f) deter wrongdoing; and

(g) ensure accountability for adherence to the Code.

1.2 All directors, officers and employees are required to be familiar with the Code, comply with its provisions and report any suspected violations as described below in Section 10.

2. Honest and Ethical Conduct.

2.1 The Company’s policy is to promote high standards of integrity by conducting its affairs honestly and ethically.

2.2 Each director, officer and employee must act with integrity and observe the highest ethical standards of business conduct in his or her dealings with the Company’s customers, service providers, competitors, employees and anyone else with whom he or she has contact in the course of performing his or her job.

3. Conflicts of Interest.

3.1 A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest (or the interest of a member of his or her family) interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole. A conflict of interest can arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform


his or her work for the Company objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company.

3.2 Loans by the Company to, or guarantees by the Company of obligations of, employees or their family members are of special concern and could constitute improper personal benefits to the recipients of such loans or guarantees, depending on the facts and circumstances. Loans by the Company to, or guarantees by the Company of obligations of, any director or executive officer or their family members are expressly prohibited.

3.3 Whether or not a conflict of interest exists or will exist can be unclear. Conflicts of interest should be avoided unless specifically authorized as described in Section 3.4.

3.4 Persons other than directors and executive officers who have questions about a potential conflict of interest or who become aware of an actual or potential conflict should discuss the matter with, and seek a determination and prior authorization or approval from, their supervisor. A supervisor may not authorize or approve conflict of interest matters or make determinations as to whether a problematic conflict of interest exists without first providing the Chief Financial Officer with a written description of the activity and seeking the Chief Financial Officer’s written approval. If the supervisor is himself involved in the potential or actual conflict, the matter should instead be discussed directly with the Chief Financial Officer. Directors and executive officers must seek determinations and prior authorizations or approvals of potential conflicts of interest exclusively from the Audit and Risk Committee.

4. Compliance.

4.1 Employees, officers and directors should comply, both in letter and spirit, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates.

4.2 Although not all employees, officers and directors are expected to know the details of all applicable laws, rules and regulations, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from appropriate personnel.

4.3 No director, officer or employee may purchase or sell any Company securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding the Company, nor may any director, officer or employee purchase or sell another company’s securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding that company. It is against Company policies and illegal for any director, officer or employee to use material non-public information regarding the Company or any other company to:

 

  (a) obtain profit for himself or herself; or

 

  (b) directly or indirectly “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of that information.


5. Disclosure.

5.1 The Company’s periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC, including all financial statements and other financial information, must comply with applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules.

5.2 Each director, officer and employee who contributes in any way to the preparation or verification of the Company’s financial statements and other financial information must ensure that the Company’s books, records and accounts are accurately maintained. Each director, officer and employee must cooperate fully with the Company’s accounting and internal audit departments, as well as the Company’s independent public accountants and counsel.

 

5.3 Each director, officer and employee who is involved in the Company’s disclosure process must:

 

  (a) be familiar with and comply with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  (b) take all necessary steps to ensure that all filings with the SEC and all other public communications about the financial and business condition of the Company provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.

6. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets.

6.1 All directors, officers and employees should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability and are prohibited.

6.2 All Company assets should be used only for legitimate business purposes, though incidental personal use may be permitted. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be reported for investigation immediately.

6.3 The obligation to protect Company assets includes the Company’s proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business and marketing plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records and any non-public financial data or reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information is prohibited and could also be illegal and result in civil or criminal penalties.

7. Corporate Opportunities.

All directors, officers and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance its interests when the opportunity arises. Directors, officers and employees are prohibited from taking for themselves personally (or for the benefit of friends or family members) opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company assets, property, information or position. Directors, officers and employees may not use Company assets, property, information or position for


personal gain (including gain of friends or family members). In addition, no director, officer or employee may compete with the Company.

8. Confidentiality.

Directors, officers and employees should maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or by its customers, suppliers or partners, except when disclosure is expressly authorized or is required or permitted by law. Confidential information includes all non-public information (regardless of its source) that might be of use to the Company’s competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers, suppliers or partners if disclosed.

9. Fair Dealing.

Each director, officer and employee must deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, partners, service providers, competitors, employees and anyone else with whom he or she has contact in the course of performing his or her job. No director, officer or employee may take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of facts or any other unfair dealing practice.

10. Reporting and Enforcement.

 

10.1 Reporting and Investigation of Violations.

 

  (a) Actions prohibited by this Code involving directors or executive officers must be reported to the Corporate Governance, Nominating, Environmental and Health and Safety Committee.

 

  (b) Actions prohibited by this Code involving anyone other than a director or executive officer must be reported to the reporting person’s supervisor or the Chief Financial Officer.

 

  (c) After receiving a report of an alleged prohibited action, the Corporate Governance, Nominating, Environmental and Health and Safety Committee, the relevant supervisor or the Chief Financial Officer must promptly take all appropriate actions necessary to investigate.

 

  (d) All directors, officers and employees are expected to cooperate in any internal investigation of misconduct.

 

10.2 Enforcement.

 

  (a) The Company must ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code.

 

  (b)

If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by a director or executive officer, the Corporate Governance, Nominating, Environmental and Health


  and Safety Committee determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the Corporate Governance, Nominating, Environmental and Health and Safety Committee will report such determination to the Board of Directors.

 

  (c) If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by any other person, the relevant supervisor or the Chief Financial Officer determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the supervisor or the Chief Financial Officer will report such determination to the Chief Executive Officer.

 

  (d) Upon receipt of a determination that there has been a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors will take such preventative or disciplinary action as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, reassignment, demotion, dismissal and, in the event of criminal conduct or other serious violations of the law, notification of appropriate governmental authorities.

 

10.3 Waivers.

 

  (a) Each of the Board of Directors (in the case of a violation by a director or executive officer) and the Chief Executive Officer (in the case of a violation by any other person) may, in its discretion, waive any violation of this Code.

 

  (b) Any waiver for a director or an executive officer shall be disclosed as required by SEC and NASDAQ rules.

10.4 Prohibition on Retaliation. The Company does not tolerate acts of retaliation against any director, officer or employee who makes a good faith report of known or suspected acts of misconduct or other violations of this Code.