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): May 12, 2017

 

 

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Virginia   001-12658   54-1692118

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

4350 Congress Street, Suite 700, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (980) 299-5700

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

 

 


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

Effective as of May 12, 2017, stockholders of Albemarle Corporation (the “Company”) approved the Albemarle Corporation 2017 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company’s new incentive plan, which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on February 23, 2017, subject to stockholder approval. A summary of the material features of the Plan was set forth in the 2017 Proxy Statement and the Plan was included in its entirety as Appendix A to the 2017 Proxy Statement. The description of the Plan and the Plan itself are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

Effective as of May 12, 2017, stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to Article IV, Section A.2.(b) of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to remove the requirement that directors be elected by a plurality vote. Effective as of the same date, the Board of Directors of the Company amended Section 6 of Article I and Section 3 of Article II of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to change the director voting standard from a plurality standard to a majority vote in uncontested elections. The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On May 12, 2017, the Company held its Annual Meeting. During this meeting, stockholders of the Company were asked to consider and vote upon six proposals: (1) approval of the non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; (2) an advisory vote on how often stockholders will vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; (3) election the ten nominees set forth in the 2017 Proxy Statement to the Board of Directors; (4) approval of the Albemarle Corporation 2017 Incentive Plan; (5) approval of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation; and (6) ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

As of the record date for the Annual Meeting, March 13, 2017, there were 110,751,101 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, of which the holders of 95,761,172 shares of common stock were represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. For each proposal, the results of the shareholder voting were as follows:

1. Advisory vote on executive compensation . The stockholders approved on a non-binding advisory basis the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers by the votes set forth in the table below.

 

Voted For     Voted Against   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
  86,841,474     2,570,547   202,395   6,146,756

2. Frequency of periodic advisory votes on executive compensation . The stockholders voted upon a non-binding advisory proposal as to the frequency with which the non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers should be conducted as set forth in the table below.

 

1 Year     2 Year   3 Year   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
  82,029,026     88,964   7,310,022   186,404   6,146,756

Based on these results, the Company’s Board of Directors has determined to hold its advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers annually until the next frequency vote. A frequency vote is required to be held at least once every six years.

3. Election of directors . All of the nominees for directors were elected to serve for a term which expires at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2018, by the votes set forth in the table below.

 

Nominee    Voted For      Withheld  

William H. Hernandez

     88,909,655        704,761  

Luther C. Kissam IV

     87,206,721        2,407,695  

Douglas L. Maine

     89,328,747        285,669  

J. Kent Masters

     89,225,120        389,296  

Jim W. Nokes

     89,327,510        286,906  

James J. O’Brien

     87,511,729        2,102,687  

Barry W. Perry

     89,146,932        467,484  

Gerald A. Steiner

     89,316,837        297,579  

Harriett Tee Taggart

     89,275,837        338,579  

Alejandro Wolff

     89,309,249        305,167  

There were 6,146,756 Broker Non-Votes received for each nominee.

4. Approval of the Albemarle Corporation 2017 Incentive Plan . The stockholders approved the Albemarle Corporation 2017 Incentive Plan by the votes set forth in the table below.

 

Voted For     Voted Against   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
  86,087,164     3,436,333   90,919   6,146,756


5. Approval of the Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation . The stockholders approved the amendment of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation by the votes set forth in the table below.

 

Voted For     Voted Against   Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
  89,207,506     240,000   166,910   6,146,756

6. Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm . The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 was ratified by the stockholders by the votes set forth in the table below.

 

Voted For     Voted Against   Abstain
  94,763,031     882,115   116,026

The proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was a routine matter and, therefore, there were no broker non-votes relating to this matter.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws


SIGNATURE

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

 

    ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Date: May 12, 2017     By:  

/s/ Karen G. Narwold

      Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

I.

The name of the Corporation is Albemarle Corporation.

II.

The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to transact any or all lawful business, not required to be specifically stated in these Articles, for which corporations may be incorporated under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended from time to time.

III.

The initial registered office shall be located at 330 South Fourth Street in the City of Richmond, Virginia, and the initial registered agent shall be E. Whitehead Elmore, who is a resident of Virginia and a member of the Virginia State Bar, and whose business address is the same as the address of the initial registered office.

IV.

The Corporation shall have authority to issue 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The rights, preferences, voting powers and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the authorized stock shall be as follows:

A. Common Stock.

1. Each share of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote at any meeting of shareholders.

2. Except as otherwise required in these Articles as they may hereafter be amended:

(a) Any Corporation action, except the election of Directors, an amendment or restatement of these Articles, a merger, a statutory share exchange, the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the Corporation’s assets otherwise than in the usual and regular course of business, or dissolution shall, for each voting group entitled to vote on the matter, be approved at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group is present if the votes cast in favor of the action exceed the votes cast against the action;

(b) The election of Directors will be as set forth in the Company’s Bylaws;


(c) An amendment or restatement of these Articles other than an amendment or restatement described, or involved in a transaction described, in subscription (d), (e) or (f) of this section shall be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting group that is entitled to vote on the matter;

(d) Any transaction with the Corporation or any subsidiary that constitutes or involves an affiliated transaction, as defined in Section 13.1-725 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act as in effect on the effective date of these Articles, shall be approved by seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting group that is entitled to vote on such transaction;

(e) A merger, statutory share exchange, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the Corporation’s assets otherwise than in the usual and regular course of business, or dissolution, other than any such transaction to which subsection (d) of this section applies, shall be approved by at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting group that is entitled to vote on such transaction; and

(f) An amendment to these Articles that amends or affects subsection (d) of this section shall be approved by seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting group that is entitled to vote on the matter.

For purposes of subsection (d) of this section a transaction shall not constitute an affiliated transaction if it is with an interested shareholder, as defined in Section 13.1-725 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act as in effect on the effective date of these Articles: (i) who has been an interested shareholder continuously or who would have been such but for the unilateral action of the Corporation since the later of (a) the date on which this Corporation first had 300 shareholders of record or (b) the date such person became an interested shareholder with the prior or contemporaneous approval of a majority of the disinterested directors as defined in Section 13.1-725 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act as in effect on the effective date of these Articles; (ii) who became an interested shareholder as a result of acquiring shares from a person specified in subdivision (i) or subdivision (ii) of this subsection by gift, testamentary bequest or the laws of descent and distribution or in a transaction in which consideration was not exchanged and who continues thereafter to be an interested shareholder, or who would have so continued but for the unilateral action of the Corporation; (iii) who became an interested shareholder inadvertently or as a result of the unilateral action of the Corporation and who, as soon as practicable thereafter, divested beneficial ownership of sufficient shares so that such person ceased to be an interested shareholder, and who would not have been an interested shareholder but for such inadvertency of the unilateral action of the Corporation; or (iv) whose acquisition of shares making such person an interested shareholder was approved by a majority of the disinterested directors.

3. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock and subject to any other provisions of these Articles or any amendment hereto, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

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B. Preferred Stock .

1. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, with such distinctive designations, rights and preferences as shall be stated and expressed herein or in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of a particular series, and in such resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of such series, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to fix, or establish the basis for determining:

(a) The annual or other periodic dividend rate for such series, the dividend payment dates, the date from which dividends on all shares of such series issued shall be cumulative, and the extent of participation rights, if any;

(b) The redemption price or prices, if any, for such series and other terms and conditions on which such series may be retired and redeemed;

(c) The obligation, if any, of the Corporation to purchase and retire or redeem shares of such series as a sinking fund or otherwise, and the terms and conditions of any such redemption;

(d) The designation and maximum number of shares of such series issuable;

(e) The right to vote, in any, with holders of shares of any other class or series and any right to vote as a separate voting group, either generally or as a condition to specified corporate action;

(f) The amount payable upon shares in the event of involuntary liquidation;

(g) The amount payable upon shares in the event of voluntary liquidation;

(h) The rights, if any, of the holders of shares of such series to convert such shares into other classes of stock of the Corporation, or to exchange such shares for other securities, and the terms and conditions of any such conversion or exchange; and

(i) Such other rights as may be specified by the Board of Directors and not prohibited by law.

All shares of Preferred Stock of any one series shall be identical with each other in all respects except, if so determined by the Board of Directors, as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative; and all shares of Preferred Stock shall be of equal rank with each other, regardless of series, and shall be identical with each other in all respects except as provided herein or in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of a particular series. In case dividends on all shares of Preferred Stock for any quarterly dividend period are not paid in full, all such shares shall participate ratably in any partial payment of dividends for such period in proportion to the full amounts of dividends for such period to which they are respectfully entitled.

 

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C. Preemptive Rights .

No holder of shares of any class of capital stock shall as such holder have any preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to (i) any shares of any class of stock of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized, (ii) any warrants, rights or options to purchase any such stock, or (iii) any obligations convertible into any such stock or into warrants, rights or options to purchase any such stock.

V.

A. Board of Directors .

Unless otherwise fixed in the Bylaws, the number of Directors of the Corporation shall be three (3). At each annual meeting of shareholders, the Directors of the Corporation shall be elected.

B. Removal of Director .

Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, a Director may be removed only with cause.

VI.

A. In this Article :

“applicant” means the person seeking indemnification pursuant to this Article.

“expenses” includes counsel fees.

“liability” means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including any excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a proceeding.

“party” includes an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.

“proceeding” means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal.

B. In any proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the Corporation, no Director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages with respect to any transaction, occurrence or course of conduct, whether prior or subsequent to the effective date of this Article, except for liability resulting from such person’s having engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law or any federal or state securities law.

C. The Corporation shall indemnify (i) any person who was or is a party to any proceeding, including a proceeding brought by a shareholder in the right of the Corporation or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the Corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or (ii) any Director or officer who is or was serving at

 

4


the request of the Corporation as a director, trustee, partner or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any liability incurred by him in connection with such proceeding unless he engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law. A person is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the Corporation’s request if his duties to the Corporations also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, him to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. The Board of Directors is hereby empowered, by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Directors, to enter into a contract to indemnify any Director or officer in respect of any proceedings arising from any act or omission, whether occurring before or after the execution of such contract.

D. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to all proceedings commenced after the adoption hereof by the shareholders of the Corporation, arising from any act or omission, whether occurring before or after such adoption. No amendment or repeal of this Article shall have any effect on the rights provided under this Article with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. The Corporation shall promptly take all such actions, and make all such determinations, as shall be necessary or appropriate to comply with its obligation to make any indemnity under this Article and shall promptly pay or reimburse all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such Director, officer, employee or agent in connection with such actions and determinations or proceedings of any kind arising therefrom.

E. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a presumption that the applicant did not meet the standard of conduct described in section B or C of this Article.

F. Any indemnification under section C of this Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the applicant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in section C.

The determination shall be made:

1. By the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors not at the time parties to the proceeding;

2. If a quorum cannot be obtained under subsection 1 of this section, by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the Board of Directors (in which designation Directors who are parties may participate), consisting solely of two or more Directors not at the time parties to the proceeding;

3. By special legal counsel:

(a) Selected by the Board of Directors or its committee in the manner prescribed in subsection 1 or 2 of this section; or

(b) If a quorum of the Board of Directors cannot be obtained under subsection 1 of this section and a committee cannot be designated under subsection 2 of this section, selected by majority vote of the full Board of Directors, in which selection Directors who are parties may participate; or

4. By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the control of Directors who are at the time parties to the proceeding may not be voted on the determination.

 

5


Any evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is appropriate, except that if the determination is made by special legal counsel, such evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made by those entitled under subsection 3 of this section F to select counsel.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event there has been a change in the composition of a majority of the Board of Directors after the date of the alleged act or omission with respect to which indemnification is claimed, any determination as to indemnification and advancement of expenses with respect to any claim for indemnification made pursuant to this Article shall be made by special legal counsel agreed upon by the Board of Directors and the applicant. If the Board of Directors and the applicant are unable to agree upon such special legal counsel the Board of Directors and the applicant each shall select a nominee, and the nominees shall select such special legal counsel.

G. 1. The Corporation shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by any applicant who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding or the making of any determination under section C if the applicant furnishes the Corporation:

(a) a written statement of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct described in section C; and

(b) a written undertaking, executed personally or on his behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he did not meet such standard of conduct.

2. The undertaking required by paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of this section shall be an unlimited general obligation of the applicant but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.

3. Authorizations of payments under this section shall be made by the persons specified in section F.

H. The Board of Directors is hereby empowered, by majority vote of a quorum consisting of disinterested Directors, to cause the Corporation to indemnify or contract to indemnify any person not specified in section B or C of this Article who was, is or may become a party to any proceeding, by reason of the fact that he is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, to the same extent as if such person were specified as one to whom indemnification is granted in section C. The provisions of sections D through G of this Article shall be applicable to any indemnification provided hereafter pursuant to this section H.

 

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I. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify it against the whole or any portion of the liability assumed by it in accordance with this Article and may also procure insurance, in such amounts as the Board of Directors may determine, 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, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising from his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

J. Every reference herein to Directors, officers, employees or agents shall include former directors, officers, employees and agents and their respective heirs, executors and administrators. The indemnification hereby provided and provided hereafter pursuant to the power hereby conferred by this Article on the Board of Directors shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person may be entitled, including any right under policies of insurance that may be purchased and maintained by the Corporation or others, with respect to claims, issues or matters in relation to which the Corporation would not have the power to indemnify such person under the provisions of this Article. Such rights shall not prevent or restrict the power of the Corporation to make or provide for any further indemnity, or provisions for determining entitlement to indemnity, pursuant to one or more indemnification agreements, bylaws, or other arrangements (including, without limitation, creation of trust funds or security interest funded by letters of credit or other means) approved by the Board of Directors (whether or not any of the Directors of the Corporation shall be a party to or beneficiary of any such agreements, bylaws or arrangements); provided , however , that any provision of such agreements, bylaws or other arrangements shall not be effective if and to the extent that it is determined to be contrary to this Article or applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

K. Each provision of this Article shall be severable, and an adverse determination as to any such provision shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision.

 

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Exhibit 3.2

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

(Effective May 12, 2017)

ARTICLE I

Meeting of Shareholders

Section 1. Places of Meetings . All meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia, as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”). The Board may, in its sole discretion, permit shareholders to participate in any meeting of shareholders by means of remote communication as authorized by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “ VSCA ”) and subject to any guidelines and procedures as may be adopted by the Board.

Section 2. Organization and Order of Business . The Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman of the Board’s absence, the Chief Executive Officer, shall preside over all meetings of the shareholders as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall preside. In the absence of the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee shall preside. In the absence of the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, the Chair of the Executive Compensation Committee shall preside. In the absence of all of the foregoing, a majority of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting may appoint any person entitled to vote at the meeting to act as chairman of the meeting.

The Secretary or, in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary at all meetings of the shareholders. In the event that neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

The chairman of the meeting shall have the authority to make such rules and regulations, to establish such procedures and to take such steps as he or she may deem necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of each meeting of the shareholders, including, without limitation, the authority to make the agenda and to establish procedures for (i) dismissing of business not properly presented, (ii) maintaining order and safety, (iii) placing limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Company, (iv) placing restrictions on attendance at a meeting by persons or classes of persons who are not shareholders or their proxies, (v) restricting entry to a meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and (vi) commencing, conducting and closing voting on any matter.

 

  1   May 12, 2017


Section 3. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held each year at such date and time as the Board may designate from time to time.

Section 4. Special Meetings . Special meetings of shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chairman of the Board or a majority of the Board. At a special meeting, no business shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 5. Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise required by the VSCA or these Bylaws, written or printed notice stating the date, time and place of every meeting of the shareholders, and in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be mailed, or transmitted by means of electronic transmission, not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, at his or her address which appears in the share transfer books of the Company. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to shareholders, any notice to a shareholder given by the Company may be given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the shareholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the shareholder by written or electronic notice to the Company. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked (i) if the Company is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Company in accordance with such consent and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company or to the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice, provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. For purposes of these Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form or process of communication, not directly involving the physical transfer of paper or other tangible medium that (i) is suitable for the retention, retrieval and reproduction of information by the recipient, and (ii) is either (A) retrievable in paper form by the recipient through an automated process used in conventional commercial practice or (B) retrievable in perceivable form and the sender and the recipient have consented in writing to the use of such form of electronic transmission.

Section 6. Quorum . At all meetings of the shareholders, unless a greater number or voting by classes is required by the VSCA, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting, unless a new voting record date is set for that meeting. If a quorum is present, action on a matter is approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the VSCA or the Articles of Incorporation, and except for the election of directors which is set forth in Article II, Section 3. The chairman of the meeting or a majority of the shares represented at the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, whether or not there is a quorum.

 

  2   May 12, 2017


Section 7. Voting . At any meeting of the shareholders, each shareholder of a class entitled to vote on the matters coming before the meeting shall have one vote, in person or by proxy, for each such share standing in his or her name on the books of the Company at the record date for such meeting, provided that the record date shall not be more than 70 days prior to the meeting.

Section 8. Written Authorization . A shareholder or a shareholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the shareholder or such shareholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact or authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such shareholder’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

Section 9. Electronic Authorization . The Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may approve procedures to enable a shareholder or a shareholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact to authorize another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram, internet transmission, telephone transmission or other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such transmission must either be set forth or submitted with information from which the inspectors of election can determine that the transmission was authorized by the shareholder or the shareholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact. If it is determined that such transmissions are valid, the inspectors shall specify the information upon which they relied. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this Section  9 may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

Section 10. Shareholder Proposals .

(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders .

(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders only:

(A) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto),

(B) by or at the direction of the Board,

 

  3   May 12, 2017


(C) by any shareholder of the Company who (1) was a shareholder of record of the Company (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nominations or proposal of other business are made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Company) at the time the notice provided for in this Section  10 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the annual meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section  10 or

(D) by an Eligible Shareholder (as defined in Article I , Section 10(c) ) whose Shareholder Nominee (as defined in Article I , Section 10(c)) is included in the Company’s proxy materials for the relevant annual meeting.

For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing Article I , Section 10(a)(i)(C) and (D)  shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to present proposals (except proposals submitted in accordance with the eligibility and procedural requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and included in the Company’s proxy statement) for consideration by the shareholders at any annual meeting of shareholders.

(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to Article I , Section 10(a )( i )(C) , the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and any such proposed business other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board must constitute a proper matter for shareholder action. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the 90 th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by such shareholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90 th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10 th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. 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 shareholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must:

(A) set forth, as to the shareholder giving the notice, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made:

(1) the (I) name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of each affiliate or person acting in concert with such shareholder or beneficial owner and (II) name of each director, executive officer or general partner of such shareholder or beneficial owner or any such affiliate or person with which such shareholder or beneficial owner is acting in concert of such shareholder or beneficial owner, if any (each, an “ Associated Person ”).

 

  4   May 12, 2017


(2) (I) the class or series and number of shares of the Company which are, directly or indirectly owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder, such beneficial owner, if any, or any Associated Person (II) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Company or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Company, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Company or otherwise directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Company (a “ Derivative Instrument ”), (III) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Company, (IV) any short interest in any security of the Company held, directly or indirectly, by such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person (for purposes of this Section  10 a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (V) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Company owned beneficially by such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Company, (VI) any proportionate interest in shares of the Company or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or limited liability company in which such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person is a general partner or manager or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest, and (VII) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such shareholder, such beneficial owner and any Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Company or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such shareholder and such beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date),

(3) any other information relating to such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,

 

  5   May 12, 2017


(4) a statement whether such shareholder or any other person known to the shareholder will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s voting shares required under the VSCA to carry the proposal and

(5) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make the nomination or propose such business specified in the notice before the meeting;

(B) if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth:

(1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business,

(2) the complete text of any resolutions intended to be presented at the meeting and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment and

(3) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such shareholder, beneficial owner, if any, and any Associated Person and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder;

(C) set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board:

(1) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and

(2) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such shareholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any Associated Person, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act if the shareholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any Associated Person, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registration; and

(D) with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Article I , Section  11 .

 

  6   May 12, 2017


The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Company or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no disclosure shall be required with respect to ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is proposing business solely as a result of being the shareholder of record or nominee holder that is directed to prepare and submit the shareholder’s notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a shareholder if the shareholder has notified the Company of such shareholder’s intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such shareholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Company to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Article I , Section 10(a)(ii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Company naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by this Section  10 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the 10 th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.

(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii)  provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any shareholder of the Company who is a shareholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section  10 is delivered to the Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section  10 . In the event the Company calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such shareholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a

 

  7   May 12, 2017


person or persons, as the case may be, for election to such position(s) as specified in the Company’s notice of meeting, if the shareholder’s notice required by Article I, Section 10(a)(ii) is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the close of business on the 120 th day prior to such special meeting, and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90 th day prior to such special meeting or the 10 th 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 giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

(c) Proxy Access for Director Nominees . The Company shall include in its proxy statement for any annual meeting of shareholders the name, together with the Required Information (as defined below), of any person nominated for election to the Board (a “ Shareholder Nominee ”) identified in a timely notice (the “ Notice ”) that satisfies this Section 10(c) delivered to the principal office of the Company, addressed to the Secretary, by one or more shareholders who at the time the request is delivered satisfy the ownership and other requirements of subsections (a)( i ) , (a)(ii) and (c)  of this Section  10 (such shareholder or shareholders, and any Associated Person of such shareholder or shareholders, the “ Eligible Shareholder ”), and who expressly elects to have its nominee included in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 10(c) . To be timely for purposes of this Section 10(c) , the Notice must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the 120 th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 150 th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding mailing date for the notice of annual meeting of shareholders.

(i) For purposes of this Section 10(c) , the “ Required Information ” that the Company will include in its proxy statement is (A) the information concerning the Shareholder Nominee and the Eligible Shareholder that, as determined by the Company, is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), and (B) if the Eligible Shareholder so elects, a Statement (as defined below).

(ii) The number of Shareholder Nominees (including any Shareholder Nominee elected to the Board at either of the two preceding annual meetings who is being renominated by the Board to stand for reelection and any Shareholder Nominees submitted by an Eligible Shareholder for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 10(c) but either are subsequently withdrawn or that the Board or any committee designated by the Board decides to nominate for election to the Board (a “ Board Nominee ”)) appearing in the Company’s proxy materials with respect to a meeting of shareholders shall not exceed the greater of (A) two and (B) 20% of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which the Notice may be delivered, or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 20%; provided, however, that the number of Shareholder Nominees appearing in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 10(c) may be reduced, in the sole discretion of the Board, by the number of director candidates for which the Secretary of the Company

 

  8   May 12, 2017


receives a notice that a shareholder has nominated a director candidate for election to the Board pursuant to the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section  10 and does not expressly elect at the time of providing the notice to have its nominee included in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 10(c) . In the event that the number of Shareholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Shareholders pursuant to this Section 10(c) exceeds this maximum number, each Eligible Shareholder shall select one Shareholder Nominee for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials until the maximum number is reached, going in the order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of the Company’s stock eligible to vote in the election of directors each Eligible Shareholder disclosed as owned in the Notice. If the maximum number is not reached after each Eligible Shareholder has selected one Shareholder Nominee, this selection process shall continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.

(iii) An Eligible Shareholder must have owned (as defined below) 3% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock eligible to vote in the election of directors continuously for at least three years (the “ Required Shares ”) as of both the date the Notice is delivered to the Company and the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting and must continue to own the Required Shares through the meeting date. For purposes of satisfying the foregoing ownership requirement under this Section 10(c) , (A) the shares of stock of the Company owned by one or more shareholders, or by the person or persons who own shares of the Company’s stock and on whose behalf any shareholder is acting, may be aggregated, provided that the number of shareholders and other persons whose ownership of shares is aggregated for such purpose shall not exceed 20, and further provided that the group of shareholders shall have provided to the Secretary of the Company as a part of providing the Notice a written agreement executed by each of its members designating one of the members as the exclusive member to interact with the Company for purposes of this Section  10 on behalf of all members, and (B) two or more funds that are (1) under common management and investment control, (2) under common management and funded primarily by the same employer, or (3) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, shall be treated as one shareholder or beneficial owner. The inspectors of election shall not give effect to the Eligible Shareholder’s votes with respect to the election of directors if the Eligible Shareholder does not comply with each of the representations in clause (D) below. Within the time period specified for providing the Notice, an Eligible Shareholder must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary of the Company (in addition to the information required to be provided by subsection (a) of this Section  10 ):

(A) one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the requisite three-year holding period) verifying that, as of a date within seven calendar days prior to the date the Notice is delivered to or mailed and received by the Company, the Eligible Shareholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three years, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Shareholder’s agreement to provide, within five business days after the record date for the meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Shareholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date,

 

  9   May 12, 2017


(B) the written consent of each Shareholder Nominee to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected,

(C) a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been filed with the SEC as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Exchange Act,

(D) a representation that the Eligible Shareholder:

(1) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control of the Company, and does not presently have such intent,

(2) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board at the meeting any person other than the Shareholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 10(c) ,

(3) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be, a “participant” in another person’s “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the meeting other than its Shareholder Nominee(s) or a Board Nominee,

(4) will not distribute to any shareholder any form of proxy for the meeting other than the form distributed by the Company,

(5) will continue to own the Required Shares through the date of the meeting, and

(6) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Company and its shareholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,

(E) an undertaking that the Eligible Shareholder agrees to

(1) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Shareholder’s communications with the Company’s shareholders or out of the information that the Eligible Shareholder provided to the Company,

(2) indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss or damages in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of any nomination submitted by the Eligible Shareholder pursuant to this Section 10(c) ,

 

  10   May 12, 2017


(3) file with the SEC all soliciting and other materials as required under subdivision (viii)  of this Section 10(c) , and

(4) comply with all other applicable laws, rules, regulations and listing standards with respect to any solicitation in connection with the meeting, and

(F) written disclosure of any transactions between the Eligible Shareholder and the Shareholder Nominee or the Board Nominee within the preceding five years.

(iv) For purposes of this Section 10(c) , an Eligible Shareholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of the Company’s stock as to which a shareholder who is the Eligible Shareholder or is included in the group that constitutes the Eligible Shareholder possesses both (A) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares and (B) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) shall not include any shares (1) sold by or on behalf of such shareholder in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (2) borrowed by or on behalf of such shareholder for any purpose or purchased by such shareholder pursuant to an agreement to resell or (3) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by or on behalf of such shareholder whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of outstanding shares of the Company’s stock, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (x) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such shareholder’s full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (y) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such shareholder. A shareholder shall “own” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the shareholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares. A shareholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during (A) any period in which the shareholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the shareholder, or (B) has loaned such shares, provided that the person has the power to recall such loaned shares on not more than five business days’ notice and (i) such person repossesses the loaned shares within five business days of being notified that its Shareholder Nominee will be included in the Company’s proxy statement for the relevant annual meeting and (ii) such person holds the recalled shares through the relevant annual meeting. Whether outstanding shares of the Company’s stock are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and its shareholders, including the Eligible Shareholder.

 

  11   May 12, 2017


(v) The Eligible Shareholder may provide to the Secretary of the Company, within the time period specified for providing the Notice, a written statement for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the meeting, not to exceed 500 words, in support of the Shareholder Nominee’s candidacy (the “ Statement ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section  10 , the Company may omit from its proxy materials any information or statement that it believes would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or listing standard.

(vi) The Company shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 10(c) , a Shareholder Nominee in its proxy materials:

(A) if the Eligible Shareholder who has nominated such Shareholder Nominee has engaged in or is currently engaged in, or has been or is a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the meeting other than its Shareholder Nominee(s) or a Board Nominee;

(B) who is not independent under the listing standards of the principal exchange upon which the Company’s stock is traded, any applicable rules of the SEC and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board in determining and disclosing the independence of the Company’s directors, as determined by the Board;

(C) whose election as a member of the Board would cause the Company to be in violation of these By-Laws, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the listing standards of the principal exchange upon which the Company’s stock is traded, or any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation;

(D) who is or has been, within the past three years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914;

(E) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past 10 years;

(F) who is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(G) if such Shareholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Shareholder shall have provided information to the Company in respect to such nomination that was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as determined by the Board;

(H) if the Eligible Shareholder who has nominated such Shareholder Nominee has filed a Schedule 13D with respect to the Company within the past year; or

(I) if the Eligible Shareholder or applicable Shareholder Nominee otherwise breaches any of its or their obligations, agreements or representations under this Section  10 .

 

  12   May 12, 2017


(vii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the chairman of the meeting shall declare a nomination by an Eligible Shareholder to be invalid, and such nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Company, if the Shareholder Nominee(s) and/or the applicable Eligible Shareholder shall have breached its or their obligations, agreements or representations under this Section  10 , as determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting.

(viii) The Eligible Shareholder shall file with the SEC any solicitation communication with the Company’s shareholders relating to the meeting at which the Shareholder Nominee will be nominated, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, or whether any exemption from filing is available for such solicitation communication under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act.

(ix) No person may be a member of more than one group of persons constituting an Eligible Shareholder under this Section 10(c) .

(x) Any Shareholder Nominee who is included in the Company’s proxy materials for a particular meeting of shareholders but either (A) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the meeting, or (B) does not receive at least 25% of the votes cast in favor of the Shareholder Nominee’s election, shall be ineligible to be a Shareholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 10(c) for the next two annual meetings of shareholders following the meeting for which the Shareholder Nominee has been nominated for election.

(d) General .

(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section  10 shall be eligible at an annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section  10 . Except as otherwise provided by the VSCA, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty:

(A) to determine whether a nomination or any 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  10 (including whether the shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such shareholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such shareholder’s representation as required by Article I , Section 10(a)(ii)(C) and (D) ) and

(B) to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.

 

  13   May 12, 2017


Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  10 , if the shareholder (or a designated representative of the shareholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company to present a nomination or 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 Company.

(ii) For purposes of this Section  10 , “public announcement” shall include 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 Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  10 , a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section  10 . Nothing in this Section  10 shall be deemed to affect any rights of (A) shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation.

(iv) A shareholder must further update and supplement the notices required by this Section  10 , if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary not later than five business days after the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than five business days prior to the date of the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

Section 11. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Company, a person must deliver (60 days prior to the mailing of the Company’s proxy statement with respect to such election or reelection) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and (prior to the mailing of the Company’s proxy statement with respect to such election or reelection) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) (the “ Agreement ”), which Agreement (a) shall provide that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to any

 

  14   May 12, 2017


agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question or that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law (a “ Voting Commitment ”), (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director nominee that has not been disclosed to the Company and, if such person is elected as a director of the Company, is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the Company, and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company (copies of which shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) (subject to any waivers or exemptions granted pursuant to a resolution of the majority of the disinterested members of the Board) and (b) if such person is at the time a director or is subsequently elected as a director of the Company, shall include such person’s irrevocable resignation as a director if such person is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have breached the Agreement in any material respect.

Section 12. Inspectors . The Company shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at a meeting of shareholders of the Company and make a written report of the inspector’s determinations. The Company may designate one or more persons as alternate inspector to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at any meeting of shareholders, the chairman of such meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspectors shall (a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (b) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors.

ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 1. General Powers . The property, affairs and business of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and except as otherwise expressly provided by the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all of the powers of the Company shall be vested in such Board.

 

  15   May 12, 2017


Section 2. Number of Directors . The Board shall be eleven in number. By amendment of these Bylaws the Board or the shareholders may increase or decrease the number of directors; provided, however, that the Board may not increase or decrease the number of directors by more than thirty percent of the number of directors last elected by the shareholders.

Section 3. Election of Directors .

(a) Directors shall be elected each year at the annual meeting of shareholders. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however , that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of the shareholders if, as of the tenth day preceding the date the Company first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the shareholders of the Company, the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected (a “contested election”). If directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, the shareholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee.

(b) Directors shall hold their offices until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are elected. Any director may be removed from office as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

(c) Any vacancy occurring in the Board may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board.

(d) A majority of the number of directors fixed by these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

Section 4. Meetings of Directors .

(a) Meetings of the Board shall be held at places within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia and at times fixed by resolution of the Board or upon call of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board, and the Secretary or officer performing the Secretary’s duties shall give not less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice by letter, telegraph, telephone, in person, or other form of electronic transmission of all meetings of the directors, provided that notice need not be given of regular meetings held at times and places fixed by resolution of the Board. An annual meeting of the Board shall be held as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the annual meeting of shareholders. Meetings may be held at any time without notice if all of the directors are present, or if those not present waive notice in writing either before or after the meeting. Directors may be allowed, by resolution of the Board, a reasonable fee and expenses for attendance at meetings.

(b) The Board may permit any or all directors to participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present at the meeting.

(c) Action required to be taken at a Board’s meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all directors. The action shall be evidenced by one or more consents stating the action taken, signed by each director either before or after the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken. Any consent and the signing thereof may be accomplished by one or more electronic transmissions, as provided by VSCA §13.1-610D, as amended from time to time.

 

  16   May 12, 2017


ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee .

(a) On recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Board shall, by vote of a majority of the number of directors fixed by these Bylaws, designate an Executive Committee. The members of the Executive Committee shall serve until their successors are designated by the Board, until removed or until the Executive Committee is dissolved by the Board. All vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Board.

(b) When the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee shall have all power vested in the Board by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, except as otherwise provided in the VSCA. The Executive Committee shall report at the next regular or special meeting of the Board all action which the Executive Committee may have taken on behalf of the Board since the last regular or special meeting of the Board.

Section 2. Executive Compensation Committee .

(a) On recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Board, at its regular annual meeting, shall designate an Executive Compensation Committee, which shall consist of three or more directors who shall not be eligible for bonus, stock option or stock appreciation rights and each of whom shall satisfy the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (“ NYSE ”), as amended from time to time. The responsibilities of the Executive Compensation Committee shall be set forth in its charter as approved by the Board.

(b) The Executive Compensation Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and all action taken shall be reported to the Board. Vacancies on the Executive Compensation Committee shall be filled by the Board, and members shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time.

 

  17   May 12, 2017


Section 3. Audit and Finance Committee .

(a) On recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Board, at its regular annual meeting, shall designate an Audit and Finance Committee, which shall consist of three or more directors whose membership on the Committee shall meet the requirements set forth in the rules of the NYSE, as amended from time to time. The responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee shall be set forth in its charter as approved by the Board.

(b) The Audit and Finance Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure. The Committee shall keep minutes of all of its meetings, and all action taken shall be reported to the Board. Vacancies on the Audit and Finance Committee shall be filled by the Board, and members shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time.

Section 4. Nominating  & Governance Committee .

(a) On recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Board shall, at its regular annual meeting, designate a Nominating & Governance Committee, which shall consist of three or more directors each of whom shall satisfy the independence requirements of the NYSE, as amended from time to time. The responsibilities of the Nominating & Governance Committee shall be set forth in its charter as approved by the Board.

(b) The Nominating & Governance Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and all action taken shall be reported to the Board. Vacancies on the Nominating & Governance Committee shall be filled by the Board, and members shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time.

Section 5. Other Committees of the Board . The Board, by resolution duly adopted, may establish such other committees of the Board as it may deem advisable and the members, terms and authority of such committees shall be as set forth in the resolutions establishing the same.

Section 6. Notice of Committee Meetings; Quorum . Meetings of any Committee shall be held at such places and at such times fixed by resolution of the Committee, or upon call of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board or the Chairman of the Committee. Not less than 12 hours’ notice shall be given by letter, telegraph, telephone, in person, or, in the manner provided in Article II , Section  4 , electronically, of all meetings of any Committee, provided that notice need not be given of regular meetings held at times and places fixed by resolution of the Committee and meetings may be held at any time without notice if all of the members of the Committee are present or if those not present waive notice in writing either before or after the meeting. A majority of the members of the Committee then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting.

 

  18   May 12, 2017


ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 1. Election . The officers of the Company may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be designated as Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents), a Secretary and a Treasurer. In addition, such other officers may from time to time be elected by the Board, including, without limitation, one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. All officers shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board or until their successors are elected. The Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors. Any two offices may be combined in the same person as the Board may determine.

Section 2. Removal of Officers; Vacancies . Any officer of the Company may be removed summarily with or without cause, at any time by a resolution passed at any meeting by affirmative vote of a majority of the number of directors fixed by these Bylaws. Vacancies may be filled at any meeting of the Board.

Section 3. Duties . The officers of the Company shall have such duties as generally pertain to their offices, respectively, as well as such powers and duties as are hereinafter provided and as from time to time shall be conferred by the Board. The Board may require any officer to give such bond for the faithful performance of his duties as the Board may see fit.

Section 4. Duties of the Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board and shall have supervision over the business of the Company and its several officers, subject to the authority of the Board. Unless the Board provides otherwise, the Chief Executive Officer also shall be the President of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer may sign and execute in the name of the Company deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases where the signing and the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law otherwise to be signed or executed. In addition, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board.

Section 5. Chairman of the Board .

(a) The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of shareholders, the Board and, unless there is a Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee.

(b) The Chairman of the Board may sign and execute in the name of the Company deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases where the signing and the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required

 

  19   May 12, 2017


by law otherwise to be signed or executed. In addition, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the Chairman of the Board and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board.

Section 6. Duties of the Vice Chairman of the Board . The Vice Chairman of the Board shall perform all duties incident to the office of the Vice Chairman of the Board and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the Board may sign and execute in the name of the Company deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law otherwise to be signed or executed.

Section 7. Duties of the President . The President shall have direct supervision over the business of the Company subject to the authority of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if the President is not also Chief Executive Officer) and the Chairman of the Board. The President may sign and execute in the name of the Company deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases where the signing and the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law otherwise to be signed or executed. In addition, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the President and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him.

Section 8. Duties of the Vice Presidents . Each Vice President of the Company (including any Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President) shall have powers and duties that are customary for that office and such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him. Any Vice President of the Company may sign and execute in the name of the Company deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law otherwise to be signed or executed.

Section 9. Duties of the Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Company, and shall cause all such funds and securities to be deposited in such banks and depositories as the Board from time to time may direct. He shall maintain adequate accounts and records of all assets, liabilities and transactions of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices; shall exhibit his accounts and records to any of the directors of the Company at any time upon request at the office of the Company; shall render such statements of his accounts and records and such other statements to the Board and officers as often and in such manner as they shall require; and shall make and file (or supervise the making and filing of) all tax returns required by law. He shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him.

 

  20   May 12, 2017


Section 10. Duties of the Secretary . The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board and the shareholders of the Company, and shall keep the minutes thereof in the proper book or books to be provided for that purpose. He shall see that all notices required to be given by the Company are duly given and served; shall have custody of the seal of the Company and shall affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates for stock of the Company and to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the Company under its corporate seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; shall have custody of all deeds, leases, contracts and other important corporate documents; shall have charge of the books, records and papers of the Company relating to its organization and management as a Company; shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law (except tax returns) are properly filed; and shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him.

Section 11. Other Duties of Officers . Any officer of the Company shall have, in addition to the duties prescribed herein or by law, such other duties as from time to time shall be prescribed.

ARTICLE V

Capital Stock

Section 1. Certificates . The shares of capital stock of the Company may be certificated or uncertificated as provided under the VSCA. All certificates representing shares of capital stock of the Company shall be in such forms as prescribed by the Board and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and stating thereon the information required by law. Transfer agents and/or registrars for one or more classes of the stock of the Company may be appointed by the Board and may be required to countersign certificates representing stock of such class or classes. In the event that any officer whose signature or facsimile thereof shall have been used on a stock certificate shall for any reason cease to be an officer of the Company and such certificate shall not then have been delivered by the Company, the Board may nevertheless adopt such certificate and it may then be issued and delivered as though such person had not ceased to be an officer of the Company. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares of the Company, the Company shall send, or cause to be sent, to the holder a written statement that shall include the information required by law to be set forth on certificates for shares of capital stock.

Section 2. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates . Holders of the stock of the Company in certificated form shall immediately notify the Company of any loss, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the Board may, in its discretion, cause one or more new certificates or evidence of such holder’s ownership of such shares in uncertificated form for the same number of shares in the aggregate to be issued to such shareholder upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate or upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, and the deposit of a bond in such form and amount and with such surety as the Board may require.

 

  21   May 12, 2017


Section 3. Transfer of Stock . The stock of the Company shall be transferable or assignable only on the books of the Company by the holders in person or by attorney, and in the case of shares of stock of the Company represented by a certificate, on surrender of the certificate for such shares duly endorsed and, if sought to be transferred by attorney, accompanied by a written power of attorney to have the same transferred on the books of the Company. Uncertificated shares shall be transferable or assignable only on the books of the Company upon proper instruction from the holder of such shares. The Company will recognize the exclusive right of the person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner.

Section 4. Fixing Record Date . For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment for any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not more than 70 days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders. Except as otherwise required by the VSCA, when a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this Section  4 , such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

ARTICLE VI

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Seal . The seal of the Company shall consist of a flat-face circular die, of which there may be any number of counterparts, on which there shall be engraved in the center the words “Albemarle Corporation.”

Section 2. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Company shall end on December 31st of each year.

Section 3. Books and Records . The Company shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders and Board. The Company shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar a record of its shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all shareholders, and the number, class and series of the shares being held.

Section 4. Checks, Notes and Drafts . Checks, notes, drafts and other orders for the payment of money shall be signed by such persons as the Board from time to time may authorize. When the Board so authorizes, however, the signature of any such person may be a facsimile.

 

  22   May 12, 2017


Section 5. Amendment of Bylaws . These Bylaws may be amended or altered at any meeting of the Board. The shareholders entitled to vote in respect of the election of directors, however, shall have the power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any Bylaws and to enact Bylaws which, if expressly so provided, may not be amended, altered or repealed by the Board.

Section 6. Voting of Stock Held . The Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board or such other officer or officers as may be designated by the Board or the Executive Committee shall from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of this Company, in the name and on behalf of this Company, to cast the vote which this Company may be entitled to cast as a shareholder or otherwise in any other company any of whose stock or securities may be held in this Company, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other company, or to consent in writing to any action by any of such other company, and shall instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent and may execute or cause to be executed on behalf of this Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, such written proxies, consents, waivers or other instruments as may be necessary or proper in the premises; or, in lieu of such appointment, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board or any such designated officer or officers may attend in person any meetings of the holders of stock or other securities of any such other company and there vote or exercise any or all power of this Company as the holder of such stock or other securities of such other company.

Section 7. Control Share Acquisition Statute . Article 14.1 of the VSCA (“ Control Share Acquisitions ”) shall not apply to acquisitions of shares of stock of the Company.

Section 8. Exclusive Forum . Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, or in the event that court lacks jurisdiction to hear such action, the Circuit Court of the County of Fairfax, Virginia, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a legal duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee or agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the VSCA or the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director or officer or other employee or agent of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

  23   May 12, 2017