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): September 20, 2017
BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 1-37499 | 46-0599018 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
||
120 Mountain View Blvd., Basking Ridge, NJ |
07920 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (908) 991-2665
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 Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. |
On September 20, 2017, Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (the Company) held its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting). At the Annual Meeting, stockholders of the Company approved a proposal to amend the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Declassification Amendment) to declassify the Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of all directors. As previously disclosed in the Companys proxy statement for the Annual Meeting, if stockholders approved the Declassification Amendment, in order to make the complete declassification of the Board of Directors effective at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, each member of the Companys Board of Directors whose term did not expire at the 2018 annual meeting (the Class I and Class II directors) agreed to resign and be re-appointed to a term that expires at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. Consequently, each of Messrs. Huseby and Golden and Drs. Thornton and Wilson resigned and was re-appointed to a term ending at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. The purpose of the resignations reported herein is simply to facilitate the transition to a declassified Board of Directors, such that all of the Companys directors will be elected for one-year terms beginning with the next annual meeting.
5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
As disclosed above, at the Annual Meeting, stockholders of the Company approved a proposal to amend the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of all directors. The Company has filed the Certificate of Amendment to the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The Board of Directors also approved and adopted certain conforming changes to the Companys Amended and Restated By-laws to remove the reference to the classified Board of Directors structure, which were effective upon the effective time of the Certificate Amendment. A copy of the Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended, is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 5.07 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
At the Annual Meeting, 43,607,345 shares of Common Stock were represented in person or by proxy out of the 46,516,890 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of August 2, 2017, the record date for the Annual Meeting. The voting results for each of the proposals submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting are set forth below.
1. Election of Directors. The Companys stockholders elected the Boards nominees as Directors of the Company by the following vote:
Name | Votes For | Votes Withheld | Broker Non-Votes | |||
David G. Golden | 40,112,737 | 217,895 | 3,276,713 | |||
Jerry Sue Thornton | 36,824,462 | 3,506,170 | 3,276,713 |
Mr. Golden and Dr. Thornton were elected to terms ending at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and until their respective successors are elected and qualified; however, as disclosed herein, each of Mr. Golden and Dr. Thornton submitted a resignation and was appointed to a term ending at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders in connection with the transition to a declassified Board of Directors.
2. Approval of the Amendment to the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors and provide for the annual election of directors beginning with the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders:
Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | Broker Non-Votes | |||
40,287,901 | 34,267 | 8,464 | 3,276,713 |
3. Advisory (non-binding) Vote on Executive Compensation. The Companys stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, compensation of the Companys named executive officers by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. The results of voting on the proposal are set forth below:
Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | Broker Non-Votes | |||
38,414,076 | 538,111 | 1,378,445 | 3,276,713 |
4. Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accountants of the Company for the Fiscal Year Ending April 28, 2018. The Companys stockholders approved the proposal by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. The results of voting on the proposal are set forth below:
Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | ||||||
43,513,435 | 69,759 | 24,151 |
A transcript of the remarks made by Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company, following the formal proceedings of the Annual Meeting is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Exhibit 99.1 shall not be considered filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into future filings by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, unless the Company expressly sets forth in such future filings that such information is to be considered filed or incorporated by reference therein.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: September 25, 2017
BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC., | ||
By: | /s/ Suzanne E. Andrews | |
Name: | Suzanne E. Andrews | |
Title: | Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 3.1
Delaware
The First State
I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC., FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2017, AT 4:37 OCLOCK P.M.
A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE KENT COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.
/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock |
Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State |
5179925 8100 SR# 20176280810 |
|
Authentication: 203272244 Date: 09-22-17 |
You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (the Company), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:
Amendments to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the Delaware General Corporation Law). Stockholders of the Company, at a meeting called in accordance with Section 222 of the General Delaware Corporation Law, duly approved said proposed amendments in accordance with Section 242 of the General Delaware Corporation Law. The amendments to Article V, Section 1 and Section 3 of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, respectively, are as follows:
Article V, Section 1 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:
SECTION 1. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors, adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, establishing any series of Preferred Stock and granting to holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock rights to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and each director shall remain in office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of the directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. The election of directors need not be by written ballot. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Article V, Section 3 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:
SECTION 3. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of this Amended and Restated Certification of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only be filled by the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, or as otherwise provided in the By-laws of the Corporation (the By-laws). Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence of this Section 3 shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders following his or her election and until such directors successor shall have been elected and qualified.
State of Delaware |
Secretary of State |
Division of Corporations |
Delivered 04:37 PM 09/21/2017 |
FILED 04:37 PM 09/21/2017 |
SR 20176280810 - File Number 5179925 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its Secretary this 21 st day of September, 2017.
BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Suzanne E. Andrews |
|
Suzanne E. Andrews | ||
Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary |
Exhibit 3.2
BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS, AS AMENDED
Effective as of September 21, 2017
ARTICLE I
Offices
SECTION 1. Registered Office. The registered office of BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. (hereinafter called the Corporation ) in the State of Delaware shall be at 1675 South State St. Ste B, City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19901, and the registered agent shall be Capitol Services, Inc., or such other office or agent as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board ) shall from time to time select.
SECTION 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as may otherwise be required by law, at such other place or places, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Stockholders
SECTION 1. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation (the stockholders ) shall be at a place, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as determined by the Board.
SECTION 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on such date and at such hour as shall from time to time be fixed by the Board. Any previously scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders may be postponed by action of the Board taken prior to the time previously scheduled for such annual meeting of the stockholders.
SECTION 3. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the Certificate ), and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board or a majority of the entire Board. Only such business as is specified in the Corporations notice of any special meeting of stockholders shall come before such meeting. A special meeting shall be held at such place, on such date and at such time as shall be fixed by the Chairman of the Board or the Board, as applicable.
SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given by the Corporation not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to notice of the meeting and shall be called by the Corporation. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Each such notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of the stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy without protesting, prior to or at the commencement of the meeting, the lack of proper notice to such stockholder, or who shall waive notice thereof as provided in Article X of these By-laws. Notice of adjournment of a meeting of the stockholders need not be given if the time and place to which it is adjourned are announced at such meeting, unless the adjournment is for more than 30 days or, after adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.
SECTION 5. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate, the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote generally, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders; provided , however , that in the case of any vote to be taken by classes or series, the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders of a particular class or series, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of such class or series.
SECTION 6. Adjournments. The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time whether or not a quorum is present. In the event that a quorum does not exist with respect to any vote to be taken by a particular class or series, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders of such class or series who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting with respect to the vote(s) to be taken by such class or series. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
SECTION 7. Order of Business. At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if the position is held by an individual other than the Chairman of the Board) or, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, such person as shall be selected by the Board shall act as chairman of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls.
At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the annual meeting (i) by or at the direction of the chairman of the meeting or (ii) by any stockholder who is a holder of record of shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote with Common Stock at the time of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 7, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 7.
For business properly to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation (the Secretary ). To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made; provided , further , that for the purpose of calculating the timeliness of stockholder notices for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting shall be deemed to be August 2, 2015. To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth in writing as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the complete text of any resolutions proposed for consideration or any amendment to any Corporation document intended to be presented at the annual meeting), the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest of such stockholder in such business and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner; (iii) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the business is proposed, and any of their respective affiliates or associates or other parties with whom they are acting in concert, as well as any derivative instrument or similar contract or agreement the value of or return on which is based on or linked to the value of or return of any of the Corporations securities; and (iv) if the stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of such stockholders proposal, a representation to that effect. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting and such stockholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by management of the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting; provided , however , that if such stockholder does not appear or send a qualified representative to present such proposal at such annual meeting, the Corporation need not present such proposal for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation; and provided , further , that the foregoing shall not imply any obligation beyond that required by applicable law to include a stockholders proposal in a proxy statement prepared by management of the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything in these By-laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 7. The chairman of an annual meeting may refuse to permit any business to be brought before an annual meeting which fails to comply with the foregoing procedures or, in the case of a stockholder proposal, if the stockholder solicits proxies in support of such stockholders proposal without having made the representation required by clause (iv) of the third preceding sentence.
SECTION 8. List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer who has charge of the stock ledger to prepare and make, at least 10 days before each meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in such stockholders name. Such list shall be produced and kept available at the times and places required by law.
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SECTION 9. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate, each stockholder of record of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to such number of votes, if any, for each share of such stock as may be fixed in the Certificate or in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such stock, and each stockholder of record of Common Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of such stock, in each case, registered in such stockholders name on the books of the Corporation:
(1) on the date fixed pursuant to Section 6 of Article VII of these By-laws as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting; or
(2) if no such record date shall have been so fixed, then at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of such meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders may authorize not in excess of three persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Any such proxy shall be delivered to the secretary of such meeting at or prior to the time designated for holding such meeting, but in any event not later than the time designated in the order of business for so delivering such proxies. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Except as otherwise required by law and except as otherwise provided in the Certificate or these By-laws, at each meeting of the stockholders, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon who are present in person or represented by proxy, and where a separate vote by class or series is required, a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders of such class or series who are present in person or represented by proxy shall be the act of such class or series.
Unless required by law or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any matter, including the election of directors, need not be by written ballot.
SECTION 10. Inspectors. The chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at any meeting of the stockholders. Such inspectors shall perform such duties as shall be required by law or specified by the chairman of the meeting. Inspectors need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of director shall be appointed such inspector.
SECTION 11. Public Announcements. For the purpose of Section 7 of this Article II and Section 3 of Article III, public announcement shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones Newswire, Business Wire, Reuters Information Service or any similar or successor news wire service or (ii) in a communication distributed generally to stockholders and in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions thereto.
ARTICLE III
Board of Directors
SECTION 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
SECTION 2. Number, Qualification and Election. Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of the Certificate relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors constituting the Whole Board shall be determined from time to time by the Board. However, no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The term Whole Board shall mean the total number of authorized directors, whether or not there exist any vacancies or unfilled previously authorized directorships.
Each director shall be at least 21 years of age. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation. No person shall qualify for service as a director of the Corporation if he or she is a party to any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation, or has received any such compensation or other payment from any person or entity other than the Corporation, in each case in connection with candidacy or service as a director of the Corporation; provided that agreements providing only for indemnification and/or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in connection with candidacy as director (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with service as a director) and any pre-existing employment agreement a candidate has with his or her employer (not entered into in contemplation of the employers investment in the Corporation or such employees candidacy as a director) shall not be disqualifying under this Section 2; and provided , further , that agreements, arrangements, understandings, compensation or other payments in connection with candidacy or service as a director of the Corporation shall not be disqualifying under this Section 2 if the Board in its discretion makes an affirmative determination that the director satisfies applicable regulatory and stock exchange listing requirements to be an independent director of the Corporation and that the director is free of any other relationship (with the Company (as hereinafter defined in this Section 2) or any stockholder or otherwise) that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment by such director.
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SECTION 3. Notification of Nominations. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board or by any stockholder who is a holder of record of shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote with Common Stock at the time of giving of the notice of nomination provided for in this Section 3 and who is entitled to vote for the election of directors. Any stockholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors only if timely written notice of such stockholders intent to make such nomination is given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of the stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made; provided , further , that for the purpose of calculating the timeliness of stockholder notices for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting shall be deemed to be August 2, 2015 and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, not earlier than the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees to be elected at such meeting. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporations books, of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and the name and address of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, and any of their respective affiliates or associates or other parties with whom they are acting in concert, as well as any derivative instrument or similar contract or agreement the value of or return on which is based on or linked to the value of or return of any of the Corporations securities; (c) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (d) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (e) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had each nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board; (f) the executed written consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected; and (g) if the stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of such stockholders nominee(s), a representation to that effect. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure or if the stockholder solicits proxies in favor of such stockholders nominee(s) without having made the representations required by the immediately preceding sentence. If such stockholder does not appear or send a qualified representative to present such proposal at such meeting, the Corporation need not present such proposal for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3 shall be eligible to serve as directors of the Corporation.
Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph of this Section 3 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting of the stockholders is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for directors or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by this Section 3 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to or mailed to and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Quorum and Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate or these By-laws, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and, except as so provided, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The chairman of the meeting or a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place whether or not a quorum is present. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
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SECTION 5. Place of Meeting. Subject to Sections 6 and 7 of this Article III, the Board may hold its meetings at such place or places, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine, or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
SECTION 6. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as the Board shall from time to time determine, at such locations as the Board may determine. If any day fixed for a regular meeting shall be a legal holiday under the laws of the place where the meeting is to be held, the meeting which would otherwise be held on that day shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding business day. No fewer than four meetings of the Board shall be held per year.
SECTION 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the non-employee directors, and shall be held at such place, on such date and at such time as he or they, as applicable, shall fix.
SECTION 8. Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meetings of the Board or of any adjourned meeting thereof need not be given. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given by overnight delivery service or mailed to each director, in either case addressed to such director at such directors residence or usual place of business, at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held or shall be sent to such director at such place by telecopy or by electronic transmission or shall be given personally or by telephone, not later than the day before the meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of such notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director. Unless otherwise required by these By-laws, every such notice shall state the time and place but need not state the purpose of the meeting.
SECTION 9. Rules and Regulations. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate or these By-laws for the conduct of its meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board may deem proper.
SECTION 10. Participation in Meeting by Means of Communications Equipment. Any one or more members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in any meeting of the Board or of any such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other or as otherwise permitted by law, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
SECTION 11. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board or of any such committee consent thereto in writing or as otherwise permitted by law and, if required by law, the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or of such committee.
SECTION 12. Resignations. Any director of the Corporation may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified therein, upon receipt thereof; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 13. Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only be filled by the Board, and not by the stockholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board, or by a sole remaining director, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall only be filled by the Board, or if not so filled, by the stockholders at the next annual meeting thereof or at a special meeting called for that purpose in accordance with Section 3 of Article II of these By-laws. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence of this Section 13 shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until such directors successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
SECTION 14. Compensation. Each director, in consideration of such person serving as a director, shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation such amount per annum and such fees (payable in cash or stock-based compensation) for attendance at meetings of the Board or of committees of the Board, or both, as the Board or a committee thereof shall from time to time determine. In addition, each director shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation reimbursement for the reasonable expenses incurred by such person in connection with the performance of such persons duties as a director. Nothing contained in this Section 14 shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
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ARTICLE IV
Committees of the Board of Directors
SECTION 1. Committees of the Board. The Board shall designate such committees as may be required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other principal United States exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation may be listed) and may from time to time designate other committees of the Board (including an executive committee), with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.
SECTION 2. Conduct of Business. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee or the charter of such committee, shall have and may exercise all the duly delegated powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Board shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of any such committee shall be conducted. In the absence of any such prescription, any such committee shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which its proceedings shall be conducted. Unless the Board or such committee shall otherwise provide, regular and special meetings and other actions of any such committee shall be governed by the provisions of ARTICLE III applicable to meetings and actions of the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report on its actions to the Board.
ARTICLE V
Officers
SECTION 1. Number; Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board and may consist of: a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer and one or more Vice Presidents (including, without limitation, Assistant, Executive, Senior Vice Presidents) and a Treasurer, Secretary and Controller and such other officers and agents with such titles and such duties as the Board may from time to time determine, each to have such authority, functions or duties as in these By-laws provided or as the Board may from time to time determine, and each to hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board and until such persons successor shall have been chosen and shall qualify, or until such persons death or resignation, or until such persons removal in the manner hereinafter provided. One person may hold the offices and perform the duties of any two or more of said officers; provided , however , that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate or these By-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers. The Board may require any officer or agent to give security for the faithful performance of such persons duties.
SECTION 2. Removal. Subject to Section 14 of this Article V, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board at any meeting thereof called for the purpose, by the Chief Executive Officer, or by any other superior officer upon whom such power may be conferred by the Board.
SECTION 3. Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 4. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board may be an officer of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board, and shall report directly to the Board. The Chairman shall be appointed by a majority of the Whole Board and shall have such duties and responsibilities as the Board from time to time shall determine.
SECTION 5. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board, and shall report directly to the Board.
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SECTION 6. President. The President shall perform such senior duties as he may agree with the Chief Executive Officer (if the position is held by an individual other than the Chief Executive Officer) or as the Board shall from time to time determine.
SECTION 7. Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall perform such senior duties in connection with the operations of the Corporation as he may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board shall from time to time determine.
SECTION 8. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all the powers and duties of the office of the chief financial officer and in general have overall supervision of the financial operations of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall, when requested, consult with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.
SECTION 9. Vice Presidents. Any Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by his superior officer or the Board. A Vice President shall, when requested, consult with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board may from time to time determine. A Vice President need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.
SECTION 10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall supervise and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the Corporation; the deposit of all moneys and other valuables to the credit of the Corporation in depositories of the Corporation; borrowings and compliance with the provisions of all indentures, agreements and instruments governing such borrowings to which the Corporation is a party; the disbursement of funds of the Corporation and the investment of its funds; and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, when requested, consult with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.
SECTION 11. Controller. The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation. The Controller shall, when requested, consult with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.
SECTION 12. Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to act as secretary at all meetings of the Board, of the committees of the Board and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; the Secretary shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation and when deemed necessary shall affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws; the Secretary shall have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, when requested, consult with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or, the Board may from time to time determine.
SECTION 13. Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and Assistant Secretaries. Any Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board or by the Treasurer, Controller or Secretary, respectively, or by the Chief Executive Officer. An Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.
SECTION 14. Additional Matters. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation shall have the authority to designate employees of the Corporation to have the title of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary. Any employee so designated shall have the powers and duties determined by the officer making such designation. The persons upon whom such titles are conferred shall not be deemed officers of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification
SECTION 1. Right to Indemnification. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted or required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL ) or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment and unless applicable law otherwise requires, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), shall indemnify and hold harmless any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceedings by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (a Proceeding ) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan) (a Covered Entity ) against all expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not apply to a director or officer of the Corporation with respect to a Proceeding that was commenced by such director or officer unless the proceeding was commenced after a Change in Control (as defined below). Any director or officer of the Corporation entitled to indemnification as provided in this Section 1 is hereinafter called an Indemnitee . Any right of an Indemnitee to indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to receive payment in advance of any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment and unless applicable law otherwise requires, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader rights to payment of expenses than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), and the other provisions of this Article VI.
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For purposes of this Section 1, Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (w) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation in which the Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Corporations Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Corporation in which the holders of the Corporations Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger, (x) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, the assets of the Corporation, or the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (y) individuals who would constitute a majority of the members of the Board elected at any meeting of stockholders or by written consent (without regard to any members of the Board elected pursuant to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock) shall be elected to the Board and the election or the nomination for election by the stockholders of such directors was not approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors in office immediately prior to such election.
SECTION 2. Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity against any expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as specified in Section 1 of this Article VI or incurred by any such director, officer, employee or agent in connection with any Proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article VI, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity in furtherance of the provisions of this Article VI and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided or authorized in this Article VI.
SECTION 3. Indemnification Not Exclusive Right. The right of indemnification provided in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Article VI shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any Indemnitee under this Article VI and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Article VI, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or enforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
SECTION 5. Indemnification of Employees Serving as Directors. The Corporation, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the indemnification of directors and officers of the Corporation, shall indemnify any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reason of the fact that such employee is or was serving (a) as a director of a corporation in which the Corporation had at the time of such service, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater equity interest (a Subsidiary Director ) or (b) at the written request of an Authorized Officer, as a director of another corporation in which the Corporation had at the time of such service, directly or indirectly, a less than 50% equity interest (or no equity interest at all) or in a capacity equivalent to that of a director for any partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan) in which the Corporation has an interest (a Requested Employee ), against all expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Subsidiary Director or Requested Employee in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation, shall also advance expenses incurred by any such Subsidiary Director or Requested Employee in connection with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
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For purposes of this Section 5, Authorized Officer means any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Secretary of the Corporation.
SECTION 6. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. Notwithstanding any other provision or provisions of this Article VI, the Corporation, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the indemnification of directors and officers of the Corporation, may indemnify any person other than a director or officer of the Corporation, a Subsidiary Director or a Requested Employee, who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of a Covered Entity against all expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation may also advance expenses incurred by such employee or agent in connection with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII
Capital Stock
SECTION 1. Uncertificated Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares that are evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock.
The stock ledger shall be kept by the Secretary or by a transfer agent or by a registrar or by any other officer or agent designated by the Board.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of each class of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization by the registered holder thereof, or by such holders attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or a transfer agent for such stock, if any; provided , however , that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer. The person in whose name shares are registered on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation; provided , however , that whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, and written notice thereof shall be given to the Secretary or to such transfer agent, such fact shall be stated in the entry of the transfer. No transfer of shares shall be valid as against the Corporation, its stockholders and creditors for any purpose, except to render the transferee liable for the debts of the Corporation to the extent provided by law, until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
SECTION 3. Registered Stockholders and Addresses of Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares of stock on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary or transfer agent of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be given to such person, and, if any stockholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be given to such person by mail directed to such person at such persons post office address, if any, as the same appears on the stock record books of the Corporation or at such persons last known post office address.
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SECTION 4. Regulations. The Board may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of each class and series of the Corporation.
SECTION 5. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. If in any case involving the determination of stockholders for any purpose other than notice of or voting at a meeting of stockholders the Board shall not fix a record date, then the record date for determining stockholders for such purpose shall be the earlier of the close of business on the day on which the Board shall adopt the resolution relating thereto and the close of business on the 60th day prior to the action for which the determination of stockholders is being made. A determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
SECTION 6. Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.
ARTICLE VIII
Seal
The Board shall approve a suitable corporate seal, which shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the full name of the Corporation and shall be in the charge of the Secretary. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
ARTICLE IX
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the Saturday closest to the last day of April each year.
ARTICLE X
Waiver of Notice
Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by these By-laws, by the Certificate or by law, the person entitled thereto may, either before or after the meeting or other matter in respect of which such notice is to be given, waive such notice in writing or as otherwise permitted by law, which shall be filed with or entered upon the records of the meeting or the records kept with respect to such other matter, as the case may be, and in such event such notice need not be given to such person and such waiver shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new By-laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board at any meeting thereof; provided , however , that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-laws is contained in the notice of such meeting of the stockholders or in the notice of such meeting of the Board and, in the latter case, such notice is given not less than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. Unless a higher percentage is required by the Certificate, all such amendments must be approved by either the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation, voting as a single class, or by a majority of the Board.
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ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 1. Execution of Documents. The Board or any committee thereof shall designate the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation who shall have power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, notes, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation and may authorize (including authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Such delegation may be by resolution or otherwise and the authority granted shall be general or confined to specific matters, all as the Board or any such committee may determine. In the absence of such designation referred to in the first sentence of this Section, the officers of the Corporation shall have such power so referred to, to the extent incident to the normal performance of their duties.
SECTION 2. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board or any committee thereof or any officer of the Corporation to whom power in respect of financial operations shall have been delegated by the Board or any such committee or in these By-laws shall select.
SECTION 3. Checks. All checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the Corporation, and all notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board or of any committee thereof or by any officer of the Corporation to whom power in respect of financial operations shall have been delegated by the Board or any such committee thereof or as set forth in these By-laws.
SECTION 4. Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations. The Board or any committee thereof shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights which the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation or other entity, and to vote or consent in respect of such stock or securities; such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights; and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or otherwise, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its said powers and rights.
SECTION 5. Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation. All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these By-laws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the provisions of the Certificate and applicable laws.
SECTION 6. Forum Selection. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 6.
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Exhibit 99.1
MICHAEL P. HUSEBY ADDRESSES SHAREHOLDERS AT 2017 ANNUAL MEETING
At the 2017 Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. Annual Shareholder Meeting on September 20, 2017, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Huseby shared the following remarks:
The opportunity in our industry has never been greater. The higher education market is in the midst of significant change. Colleges and universities are facing near-term challenges and adapting their strategies, as we are, to address the affordability and achievement gaps that are driving these trends. We have the people and assets necessary to navigate this rapidly transforming industry, and we remain optimistic and believe we are well-positioned to emerge as a leader.
Fiscal 2017, which was our first full year as a standalone public company, was an important year with many achievements. We grew our market share and reach, increasing total revenue by 4% to $1.9 billion. We significantly expanded our digital platform, improved our competitive position and enhanced our financial flexibility. We are aggressively managing costs and capital expenditures to benefit shareholders, and consummated opportunistic acquisitions for long-term relevance and growth.
As you all know, we reported our fiscal 2018 first quarter results last month. While second quarter results wont be released until early December, we are currently planning to disclose expanded forward looking and other relevant information before then, most likely by the end of the next month.
While we have much to be proud of, our Board and management team recognize that there is still a lot to be achieved. We believe that with improved transparency and communication to the market, coupled with continued strong execution of our operational and strategic objectives, the market will begin to better appreciate and reflect the value we are creating for our partners and shareholders.