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): January 18, 2018

 

 

PENN VIRGINIA CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Virginia   1-13283   23-1184320

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

14701 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 275

Houston, Texas

  77079
(Address of Principle Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 722-6500

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 18, 2018, Penn Virginia Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a Support Agreement (the “Support Agreement”) with Strategic Value Partners, LLC and certain funds and accounts managed by Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates (“SVP”).

Pursuant to the Support Agreement, and concurrently with the execution of the Support Agreement, the Company (i) increased the number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) such that there would be two vacancies on the Board and (ii) elected Mr. Geenberg to fill one of the newly created vacancies. Subject to SVP’s compliance with certain standstill and voting obligations, Mr. Geenberg will be included in the Company’s slate of director nominees for election at the 2018 and 2019 annual meetings of shareholders.

The Support Agreement also includes, among other provisions, certain standstill and voting commitments by SVP, including a voting commitment that SVP will vote in favor of (i) any director nominees recommended by the Board to the shareholders for election and (ii) other routine matters submitted by the Board to the shareholders for a vote. The standstill period shall, subject to the Company’s compliance with the terms of the Support Agreement, extend until the completion of the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders. If SVP and its affiliate entities cease collectively to beneficially own an aggregate of at least 5% of the Company’s then outstanding shares of common stock, Mr. Geenberg shall resign from the Board. In addition, if SVP or its affiliates materially breach the Support Agreement and fail to cure such breach, Mr. Geenberg shall resign from the Board.

A copy of the Support Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The description of the Support Agreement in this Current Report on Form 8-K is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

 

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

Departure of Director and Officer

Effective February 28, 2018 (the “Resignation Date”), Mr. Harry Quarls will resign from his position as a director and Executive Chairman of the Company, and the Board will be reduced to six members. In connection with Mr. Quarls’ resignation, Mr. Quarls and the Company have entered into a separation and consulting agreement, dated January 18, 2018 (the “Separation Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, from March 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, Mr. Quarls will provide transition and support services (“Consulting Services”) to the Company as reasonably requested by the Board. The Company will pay Mr. Quarls a consulting fee of $250,000 for up to fifty business days of Consulting Services and a mutually agreed-upon amount for any Consulting Services performed in excess of fifty business days. The Separation Agreement includes a general release of claims, and Mr. Quarls will vest in (i) 12,515 director restricted stock units, (ii) 1,891 officer restricted stock units and (iii) 1,968 performance restricted stock units, all of which were previously granted to Mr. Quarls under the Company’s 2016 Management Incentive Plan. All other unvested restricted stock units held by Mr. Quarls will be forfeited as of the Resignation Date.

A copy of the Separation Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The description of the Separation Agreement in this Current Report on Form 8-K is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

Appointment of New Directors and Co-Chairmen of the Board

On January 18, 2018, effective January 19, 2018, the Board increased the size of the Board to seven members and elected Mr. David Geenberg and Mr. Michael Hanna as members of the Board to fill the newly created vacancies and serve until the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, Mr. Geenberg has signed an irrevocable contingent resignation pursuant to which he will resign from the Board effective upon the occurrence of the events described in Item 1.01 above relating to SVP’s minimum ownership thresholds or a breach of the Support Agreement.


Messrs. Geenberg and Hanna have each been determined by the Board to be an “independent director” in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Hanna was appointed to serve on the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company. Mr. Geenberg was appointed to serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company and will serve as Chairman of such committee. In connection with these appointments, Mr. McCarthy will no longer serve on either of the Company’s Compensation and Benefits Committee or the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee but will continue his service on the Company’s Audit Committee.

Messrs. Geenberg and Hanna will waive their rights to compensation as members of the Board and will not participate in the non-employee director compensation programs described under “Compensation of Directors” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 30, 2017. Except for the Support Agreement, there are no other awards of compensation, material arrangements or understandings between Mr. Geenberg and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Geenberg was elected to serve as director that are not described above, and there are no transactions with Mr. Geenberg that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Further, there are no other awards of compensation, material arrangements or understandings between Mr. Hanna and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Hanna was elected to serve as director, and there are no transactions with Mr. Hanna that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Effective on the Resignation Date, the Board has appointed Mr. Darin G. Holderness and Mr. Geenberg as co-Chairmen of the Board. There are no material arrangements or understandings between either of Mr. Holderness or Mr. Geenberg and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Holderness or Mr. Geenberg were appointed to serve as co-Chairmen of the Board, and there are no transactions with either Mr. Holderness or Mr. Geenberg that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

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

On January 18, 2018, the Board amended the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws to require the approval of at least two-thirds of the directors then on the Board for certain transactions enumerated therein and to contemplate the possibility of co-Chairmen of the Board, with one co-Chairman having all of the powers of Chairman under the Company’s bylaws and the other co-Chairman being primarily responsible for promoting and facilitating relationships with shareholders.

A copy of the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On January 18, 2018, the Company issued a press release relating to the events described in this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “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, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

   Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

3.1    Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Penn Virginia Corporation.
10.1    Support Agreement, dated January 18, 2018 by and among Penn Virginia Corporation, Strategic Value Partners, LLC and certain funds and accounts managed by Strategic Value Partners, LLC
10.2*    Separation and Consulting Agreement, dated January 18, 2018 by and among Penn Virginia Corporation and Harry Quarls.
99.1    Press Release dated January 19, 2018.

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


SIGNATURES

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

 

January 19, 2018     PENN VIRGINIA CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Steven A. Hartman

     

Steven A. Hartman

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasure r

Exhibit 3.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

PENN VIRGINIA CORPORATION

(a Virginia corporation, hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”)

Effective as of January 18, 2018

ARTICLE I

OFFICES AND RECORDS

Section 1.1 Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation, and the registered agent of the Corporation at such address, shall be as fixed in the Corporation’s articles of incorporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Articles of Incorporation ”). The registered office or registered agent of the Corporation may thereafter be changed from time to time by action of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”).

Section 1.2 Other Offices . The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the Commonwealth of Virginia, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

Section 1.3 Books and Records .

(a) The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the Commonwealth of Virginia at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

(b) The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep a record of its shareholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder, a copy of these bylaws, as may be amended to date, minute books, accounting books and other records.

(c) Any such records maintained by the Corporation may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. When records are kept in such manner, a clearly legible paper form produced from or by means of the information storage device or method shall be admissible in evidence, and accepted for all other purposes, to the same extent as an original paper form accurately portrays the record. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person or entity entitled to inspect such records pursuant to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws or applicable law.

ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS

Section 2.1 Place of Meetings . Meetings of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at any place, if any, either within or without the Commonwealth of Virginia, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication. In the absence of notice to the contrary, meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.


Section 2.2 Annual Meeting . The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such place, if any, and/or by the means of remote communication, and time as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, directors shall be elected and any other business may be transacted which is properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14 of these bylaws. Failure to hold any annual meeting as aforesaid shall not constitute, be deemed to be or otherwise effect a forfeiture or dissolution of the Corporation nor shall such failure affect otherwise valid corporate acts.

Section 2.3 Special Meetings . Except as otherwise required by law or provided in the instrument of designation of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of shareholders of the Corporation may be called at any time and from time to time only upon the written request (stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting) of (a) the Board of Directors, (b) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or (c) the holders of a majority of the total voting power of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Special meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation may not be called by any person, group or entity other than those specifically enumerated in this Section 2.3 . The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall determine the date, time, and place, if any, and/or means of remote communication, of any special meeting, which shall be stated in a notice of meeting delivered by the Board of Directors. Advance notice of shareholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by shareholders before any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, or any class or series of thereof, shall be given in the manner provided in these bylaws. No business may be transacted at any special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation other than the business specified in the notice of such meeting.

Section 2.4 Chairman of the Meeting; Conduct of Meetings; Inspection of Elections .

(a) Meetings of shareholders of the Corporation shall be presided over by the chairman of the meeting, who shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the absence thereof, such person as the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall appoint, or, in the absence thereof or in the event that the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall fail to make such appointment, any officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board of Directors.

(b) The secretary of any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or in the absence thereof, such person as the chairman of the meeting appoints. The secretary of the meeting shall keep the minutes thereof.

(c) The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient from time to time. Subject to such rules and regulations, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason)

 

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to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient (and not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws) for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda of business of the meeting, recognizing shareholders entitled to speak, calling for the necessary reports, stating questions and putting them to a vote, calling for nominations, announcing the results of voting, establishing rules or regulations to maintain order, imposing restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof and the fixing of the date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the shareholders of the Corporation will vote at a meeting (and shall announce such at the meeting).

(d) If required by law, the Board of Directors shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

Section 2.5 Notice .

(a) Whenever shareholders of the Corporation are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting (whether special or annual), written notice (unless oral notice is reasonable under the circumstances) stating the place (if any), date, and time of the meeting, the means of remote communication (if any) by which shareholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of such meeting, shall be given to each shareholder of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting except as otherwise required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws. In the case of an annual meeting, the notice need not state the purpose or purposes of the meeting unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Virginia Stock Corporation Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, the “ VSCA ”) requires the purpose or purposes to be stated in the notice of the meeting.

(b) All such notices shall be delivered in writing (unless oral notice is reasonable under the circumstances) or by a form of electronic transmission if receipt thereof has been consented to by the shareholder to whom the notice is given. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at such shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. If given by facsimile telecommunication, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when directed to a number at which the shareholder has consented to receive notice by facsimile. Subject to the limitations of Section 2.6 of these bylaws, if given by electronic transmission, such

 

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notice shall be deemed to be delivered: (i) by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the shareholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate written notice to the shareholder of such specific posting delivered by electronic mail or by United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at such shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, upon the later of (x) such posting and (y) the giving of such separate notice; and (iii) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the shareholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent of the Corporation or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

(c) Whenever notice is required to be given under any provisions of the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the shareholder entitled to notice, or a written waiver by electronic transmission by the person or entity entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

(d) Attendance of a shareholder of the Corporation at a meeting of such shareholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the shareholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(e) Whenever notice is required to be given under the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws to any shareholder with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such shareholder shall not be required, and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such shareholder. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such shareholder with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 2.5 , no notice of a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation need be given to any shareholder if (i) (A) an annual report and proxy statement for two consecutive annual meetings of shareholders or (B) all, and at least two, checks and payment of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve-month period, in either case, have been sent by first-class, United States mail, addressed to the shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the share transfer books of the Corporation, and returned undeliverable and (ii) the Corporation does not have either a current facsimile number or, if such shareholder has consented to electronic delivery pursuant to Section 2.6 of these bylaws, means of electronic transmission for such shareholder. In that event, the obligation of the Corporation to give notice of a shareholders meeting to any such shareholder shall be reinstated once the Corporation has received a new address, facsimile number or means of electronic transmission for such shareholder.

Section 2.6 Notice by Electronic Delivery . Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to shareholders of the Corporation pursuant to the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to shareholders of the Corporation given by the Corporation under any provision of the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission

 

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consented to by the shareholder of the Corporation to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the shareholder by written notice to the Secretary. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if: (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices of meetings or of other business given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice. However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. For purposes of these bylaws, except as otherwise limited by applicable law, the term “electronic transmission” means any form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Section 2.7 Shareholders List . The officer having charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting ( provided , however , if the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the shareholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of (and any form of electronic transmission consented to by) each shareholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each shareholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any shareholder of the Corporation for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network; provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting; and/or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to shareholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any shareholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Refusal or failure to prepare or make available the shareholder list shall not affect the validity of any action taken at a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.

Section 2.8 Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation. If a quorum is not present, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time. When a quorum is once present to commence a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders or their proxies.

 

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Section 2.9 Adjournment and Postponement of Meetings .

(a) Any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned to be reconvened at a specific date, time, place (if any) and/or by means of remote communication (if any) by the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting or, unless contrary to any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws or applicable law, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors. When a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation is adjourned to another date, time, place (if any), and/or by means of remote communication (if any), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the date, time and place (if any) thereof, and/or the means of remote communication (if any) by which shareholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided , however , that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of shareholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each shareholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

(b) Any previously scheduled meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation may be postponed, and (unless contrary to applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation) any special meeting of the shareholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public announcement or notice given to the shareholders prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of shareholders.

(c) For purposes of these bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, PR Newswire or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 2.10 Vote Required . When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the shareholders of the Corporation, unless the question is one upon which, by express provisions of applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, or the instrument of designation of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, a different or additional vote is required or provided for, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Where a separate vote by class or series is required or provided for, when a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation of such class or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of such class or series of shareholders, unless the question is one upon which, by express provisions of applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the

 

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Section 2.11 Voting Rights . Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, each shareholder of the Corporation shall be entitled to that number of votes for each share of capital stock of the Corporation held by such shareholder as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation or, in the case of preferred stock of the Corporation, in the instrument of designation thereof.

Section 2.12 Proxies . Each shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation may authorize another person or entity to act for such shareholder by proxy in such manner as prescribed under the VSCA, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless such proxy expressly provides for a longer period. At each meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a proxy that has been found (in the reasonable determination of the Secretary or such designee) to be invalid or irregular. Reference by the Secretary in the minutes of the meeting to the regularity of a proxy shall be received as prima facie evidence of the facts stated for the purpose of establishing the presence of a quorum at such meeting and for all other purposes. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the VSCA and, without limiting the foregoing, a duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only so long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally.

Section 2.13 Record Date .

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for shareholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of shareholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not (i) precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, or (ii) be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

(c) Unless such action in writing without a meeting is otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Unless such action in writing without a meeting is otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, if no record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board of Directors, (i) when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

Section 2.14 Advance Notice of Shareholder Business .

(a) Only such business shall be conducted before a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation as shall have been properly brought before such meeting. To be properly brought before an annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, business must be: (i) with respect to any annual meeting, (A) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors; (B) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors; or (C) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by any shareholder (1) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.14 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (2) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.14 ; and (ii) with respect to any special meeting, specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) given to the shareholders of the Corporation by the Board of Directors pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.3 .

 

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(b) For such business to be considered properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder of the Corporation, such shareholder must, in addition to any other applicable requirements, have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely with respect to any annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation no fewer than ninety (90) and no more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation; provided , however , that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first. To be timely with respect to any special meeting, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of such meeting; provided , however , that in the event that less than seventy (70) days notice of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, to be timely a shareholder’s notice must be delivered or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the earlier of the day on which such notice or public announcement of the date of such special meeting is mailed or made (as applicable) by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an announced meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as provided in this Section 2.14 .

(c) To be in proper written form, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made (A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are directly or indirectly (including through any derivative arrangement) owned (1) beneficially and (2) of record by such shareholder and by such beneficial owner, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder or such beneficial owner and any other person or entity (including, without limitation, their names) in connection with the ownership of the capital stock of the Corporation and the proposal of such business by such shareholder and such beneficial owner, and any material interest (financial or otherwise) of such shareholder or such beneficial owner in such business, (D) whether either such shareholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to approve the proposal and (E) if the Corporation is then subject to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, any other information relating to such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with a solicitation of proxies for the proposal pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (iii) a representation that such shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the business specified in the notice. As used herein, shares “beneficially owned” by a person (and phrases of similar import) shall mean all shares which such person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, shares which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.

 

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(d) The chairman of a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall determine and declare at such meeting whether the shareholder proposal was made in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.14 . If the chairman of the meeting determines that such proposal was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the proposal was not properly brought before the meeting and the business of such proposal shall not be transacted.

(e) This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or disapproval at any annual or special meeting of reports of officers, directors and committees of the Board of Directors, but in connection with such reports, no new business shall be acted upon at such meeting unless stated, filed and received as herein provided.

(f) In addition, notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.14 to the contrary, a shareholder of the Corporation intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual or special meeting of shareholders must comply with Section 2.15 of these bylaws for such nomination to be properly brought before such meeting.

(g) For purposes of this Section 2.14 , any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the original meeting whereby the meeting will reconvene within ninety (90) days from the original date shall be deemed for purposes of notice to be a continuation of the original meeting and no business may be brought before any such reconvened meeting unless pursuant to a notice of such business which was timely for the meeting and properly presented as determined as of the date originally scheduled.

Section 2.15 Advance Notice of Director Nominations .

(a) Unless otherwise required by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the instrument of designation of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors of the Corporation, who shall be nominated as provided therein.

(b) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall be made only at an annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of electing directors and must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement or amendment thereto) and (ii) made by (A) the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors (or at the direction thereof) or (B) made by any shareholder of the Corporation (1) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.15 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (2) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.15 .

 

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(c) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a shareholder of the Corporation, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive office of the Corporation: (i) in the case of an annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, no fewer than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first, and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of electing directors, not less than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting; provided , however , that in the event that less than seventy (70) days notice of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the earlier of the day on which such notice or public announcement of the date of the meeting was mailed or made (as applicable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the immediately preceding sentence, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, a shareholder’s notice required by this Section 2.15 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase and only if otherwise timely notice of nomination for all other directorships was delivered by such shareholder in accordance with the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice to the shareholders of the Corporation was given or public announcement was made by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increase in the number of directors to serve on the Board of Directors, even if such tenth (10th) day shall be later than the date for which a nomination would otherwise have been required to be delivered to be timely. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an announced meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholders notice as provided in this Section 2.15 .

(d) To be in proper written form, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary pursuant to this Section 2.15 must set forth (i) as to each person whom the shareholder of the Corporation proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) the name, age, business address, and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are directly or indirectly (including through any derivative arrangement) owned beneficially or of record by the person, and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with a solicitation of proxies for an election of directors pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder if the Corporation were a reporting company under the Exchange Act, and (ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the director nomination is made (A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner; (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned (1) beneficially and (2) of

 

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record by such shareholder and by such beneficial owner, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder or such beneficial owner and any other person or entity (including, without limitation, their names) in connection with the ownership of the capital stock of the Corporation and the nomination of such nominee(s), and any material interest of such shareholder or such beneficial owner in such nomination(s), (D) whether either such shareholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a form of proxy to holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees, (E) a representation that the shareholder giving the notice is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (F) if the Corporation is then subject to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, any other information relating to such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with a solicitation of proxies for an election of directors pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. The Corporation may require any nominee to furnish such other information (which may include meeting to discuss the information) as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.

(e) If the chairman of a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(f) Nothing in this Section 2.15 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation.

Section 2.16 Action Without a Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the holders of outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 3.1 General Powers . All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon it by these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or any other legal agreement among shareholders of the Corporation, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

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Section 3.2 Number and Election .

(a) The total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be not less than one (1) nor more than fifteen (15). Subject to the limits specified in the immediately preceding sentence, the exact number of directors shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; provided , however , that in no case will a decrease in the number of directors have the effect of removing or shortening the term of any incumbent director.

(b) Except as provided in Section 3.6 of these bylaws, a plurality of the votes cast at any annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation or any special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation properly called for the purpose of electing directors shall elect directors of the Corporation. Except as otherwise set forth in the instrument of designation of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, no shareholder of the Corporation shall be entitled to cumulate votes on behalf of any candidate at any election of directors of the Corporation.

(c) All elections of directors of the Corporation shall be by written ballot, unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or authorized by the Board of Directors from time to time. If authorized by the Board of Directors, such requirement of a written ballot shall be satisfied by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission; provided , however , that any such electronic transmission must be either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized.

Section 3.3 Term of Office . The term of office of directors shall expire at each annual meeting of shareholders, and in all cases as to each director until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

Section 3.4 Removal . Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation then outstanding to remove directors as set forth in the instrument of designation of such preferred stock applicable thereto, any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Section 3.5 Resignation . Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective is not specified therein, immediately upon receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 3.6 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships . Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation then outstanding to designate a director to fill a vacancy as set forth in the instrument of designation of such preferred stock applicable thereto, any vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from

 

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any death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or otherwise shall be filled only by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and not by the shareholders. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 3.7 Chairman of the Board of Directors . The Chairman (or Co-Chairmen, as described below) of the Board of Directors shall be chosen from among the directors by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any director elected as Chairman (or Co-Chairman) in accordance with this Section 3.7 shall hold such office until such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office or the election of any successor by the Board of Directors from time to time. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties (including, without limitation, as applicable, as an officer of the Corporation) as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or provided in these bylaws. In the event that the Board of Directors has appointed Co-Chairmen, the Co-Chairmen shall be designated as Co-Chairman A and Co-Chairman B. When these bylaws refer to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, it shall be deemed to be a reference to Co-Chairman A. Co-Chairman B will not have all of the powers vested to the Chairman under these bylaws, but will be deemed to be responsible for facilitating and promoting relationships between the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Corporation.

Section 3.8 Meetings . Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such dates, times and places (if any) and/or by means of remote communication (if any) as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or as may be specified in a notice regarding a meeting of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Corporation, or not less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors and shall be called by the President or the Secretary if directed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Corporation or not less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.9 Conduct of Meetings .

(a) Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the chairman of the meeting, who shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, such director as a majority of the directors present at such meeting shall appoint.

(b) The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board of Directors as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient.

 

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Section 3.10 Notice .

(a) Unless the Articles of Incorporation provides otherwise, (i) regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice of the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting at any date, time and place (if any) and/or means of remote communication (if any), as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, and (ii) unless waived by each of the directors entitled to notice thereof, special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be preceded by at least twenty-four (24) hours notice of the date, time and place (if any) and/or means of remote communication (if any). Any notice of a special or regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director orally (either in person or by telephone), in writing (either by hand delivery, mail, courier or facsimile), or by electronic or other means of remote communication, in each case, directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records. Any oral notice may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate such notice to the director. If the notice is: (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier, or orally by telephone or otherwise, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail or courier service, it shall be deposited in the United States mail or with the courier at least three (3) business days before the time of the holding of the meeting.

(b) Whenever notice is required to be given under any provisions of the VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the director entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

(c) Attendance of a director at a meeting of the Board of Directors shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Such director shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken at any such meeting unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the Secretary immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action. Participation by means of remote communication, including, without limitation, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, shall constitute attendance in person at the meeting.

Section 3.11 Quorum and Adjournment . A majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws. If a quorum is not present, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or a majority of the directors

 

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present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another date, time and place (if any) and/or means of remote communications (if any). When a quorum is once present to commence a meeting of the Board of Directors, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any directors. 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.

Section 3.12 Vote Required .

(a) Subject to the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, the VSCA and the rights, if any, of those directors who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation as set forth in the instrument of designation of such preferred stock, the act by affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which there is a quorum shall be an act of the Board of Directors.

(b) Subject to the Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws, the VSCA and the rights, if any, of those directors who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation as set forth in the instrument of designation of such preferred stock, none of the following actions may be taken, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (and the Corporation shall cause its subsidiaries to refrain from taking such actions) without the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the directors present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which there is a quorum:

(i) any merger, consolidation, reorganization or equity recapitalization of the Corporation or its subsidiaries (other than mergers or consolidations of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation with another wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation or with the Corporation);

(ii) any sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or properties of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (in each case, on a consolidated basis), except sales, assignments and transfers between a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation and the Corporation or another wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation;

(iii) any increase in the number of authorized shares of the Corporation’s capital stock or issuance of any preferred stock or other capital stock of the Corporation senior to the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock; and

(iv) any liquidation, dissolution or winding up or consenting to the entry of a decree or order appointing a trustee, custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee or similar official, in each case, of the Corporation or any material subsidiary of the Corporation, or any action that would cause the foregoing, provided , that for the avoidance of doubt, the approval described in this Section 3.12(b) shall not be required to institute bankruptcy proceedings, consent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against the Corporation, or file a petition seeking reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or any similar applicable federal or state law.

Section 3.13 Minutes . The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board of Directors but in the absence of the secretary, the Chairman of the Board of Directors may appoint any other person present to act as secretary of the meeting. The secretary of the meeting shall keep the minutes thereof. Minutes of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be prepared and distributed to each director.

 

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Section 3.14 Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors, or such committee, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing(s) or electronic transmission(s) reasonably describe the action taken and are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.15 Committees .

(a) The Board of Directors may by resolution create one or more committees (and thereafter, by resolution, dissolve any such committee). Each such committee shall consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation who serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Committee members may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by resolution of the Board of Directors and may resign from a committee at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

(b) Any such committee, to the extent provided in these bylaws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it, to the extent permitted under applicable law. Any duly authorized action and otherwise proper action of a committee of the Board of Directors shall be deemed an action of the Board of Directors for purposes of these bylaws unless the context of these bylaws shall expressly state otherwise.

(c) Each committee of the Board of Directors shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall report its proceedings to the Board of Directors when requested or required by the Board of Directors.

(d) Meetings and actions of committees of the Board of Directors shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Section 3.8 , Section 3.9 , Section 3.10 , Section 3.11 , Section 3.12 and Section 3.14 of these bylaws, with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its directors and, if there shall be a chairman of the committee, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the chairman of the committee; provided , however , that: (i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee; (ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors; and (iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all

 

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meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt other rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws. Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix its own rules of procedure not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws or the rules of such committee adopted by the Board of Directors and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee or as provided in these bylaws.

Section 3.16 Compensation . The Board of Directors, irrespective of any personal interest of any of its members, may establish reasonable compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors, officers, or otherwise, or may delegate such authority to an appropriate committee. Such compensation may be comprised of cash, property, stock, options to acquire stock, or such other assets, benefits or consideration as such directors shall deem, in the exercise of their sole discretion, to be reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. The Board of Directors also shall have authority to provide for or delegate an authority to an appropriate committee to provide for reasonable pensions, disability or death benefits, and other benefits or payments, to directors, officers, and employees and to their families, dependents, estates, or beneficiaries on account of prior services rendered to the Corporation by such directors, officers, and employees.

Section 3.17 Corporate Governance . Without otherwise limiting the powers of the Board of Directors set forth in this Article III, if shares of capital stock of the Corporation are listed for trading on either the Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) or the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the Corporation shall comply with the corporate governance rules and requirements of the NASDAQ or the NYSE, as applicable.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.1 Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Presidents (at the discretion of the Board of Directors), a Treasurer, a Secretary and a Controller. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed from time to time in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. In addition, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall exercise powers and perform such other duties as an officer of the Corporation as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Unless the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide, any number of offices may be held by the same person; provided that the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors shall not be held by the Chief Executive Officer. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable, except as required by law. The officers of the Corporation need not be shareholders of the Corporation nor, other than the Chairman of the Board of Directors, directors of the Corporation.

Section 4.2 Election of Officers . The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3 of these bylaws, and subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any employment contract. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. A failure to elect officers shall not dissolve or otherwise affect the Corporation. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 4.3 Appointment of Subordinate Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer and/or one or more Presidents of the Corporation to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 4.4 Removal and Resignation .

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any employment agreement, any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time (i) by the Board of Directors, with or without cause, and (ii) by any other officer of the Corporation upon whom the Board of Directors has expressly conferred the authority to remove another officer, in such case on the terms and subject to the conditions upon which such authority was conferred upon such officer. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his successor, his death, his resignation or his removal from office, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan or as otherwise required by law.

(b) Any officer may resign at any time by giving written or electronic notice to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective is not specified therein, immediately upon receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4.5 Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise may be filled as provided in Section 4.2 and/or Section 4.3 of these bylaws.

Section 4.6 Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the powers of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation and control over its officers, agents and employees, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.

Section 4.7 Chief Financial Officer . Subject to the powers of the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer shall have the responsibility for the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall exercise supervisory responsibility for the performance of the duties of the Treasurer and the Controller of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or these bylaws.

 

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Section 4.8 President . The President(s) of the Corporation, subject to the powers of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, shall act in general executive capacity, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors. The President(s) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or these bylaws.

Section 4.9 Vice President . The Vice President(s) shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President(s) or these bylaws.

Section 4.10 Treasurer . The Treasurer shall: (i) have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; (ii) keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Corporation in books belonging to the Corporation; (iii) cause all monies and other valuable effects of the Corporation to be deposited in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors; and (iv) cause the funds of the Corporation vouchers for such disbursements. The Treasurer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or these bylaws.

Section 4.11 Secretary . The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the shareholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors and, when appropriate, shall cause the corporate seal to be affixed to any instruments executed on behalf of the Corporation. The Secretary shall also perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President(s) or these bylaws.

Section 4.12 Assistant Treasurers . The Assistant Treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and functions, exercise the powers and be subject to all of the restrictions of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer(s) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or these bylaws.

Section 4.13 Assistant Secretaries . The Assistant Secretary, or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and functions, exercise the powers and be subject to all of the restrictions of the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary(ies) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary or these bylaws.

Section 4.14 Controller . The Controller shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in the books of the Corporation and render to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or Chief Financial Officer, whenever requested, an account of all his transactions as Controller and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Controller shall also perform all duties incident to the office of Controller and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Financial Officer or these bylaws.

 

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Section 4.15 Delegation of Duties . In the absence, disability or refusal of any officer of the Corporation to exercise and perform his or her duties, the Board of Directors may by resolution delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other person whom it may select.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1 Stock Certificates . The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution that shares of some or all of any or all classes or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated and shall not be represented by certificates. Any such resolution by the Board of Directors shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be issued in such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors and shall be signed by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President or a Vice President and (ii) the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, stating thereon the information required by law; provided , that in the case of uncertificated shares, a notice shall be sent to the registered owner thereof as required by Section 13.1-648 of the VSCA, if applicable. The name of the person or entity to whom the shares are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.

Section 5.2 Facsimile Signatures . Any and all of the signatures on a certificate representing shares of the Corporation may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 5.3 Special Designations of Shares . If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, (a) to the extent the shares are represented by certificates, the powers, designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided , however , that, except as otherwise required by law (including, without limitation, Section 13.1-647 of the VSCA), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights; and (b) to the extent the shares are uncertificated, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send or cause to be sent to the registered owner

 

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thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to applicable provisions in the VSCA or a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 5.4 Transfers of Stock .

(a) Shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney or legal representative duly authorized in writing and, if the shares are represented by certificates, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. For shares of the Corporation’s capital stock represented by certificates, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person or entity entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate or certificates and record the transaction on its books. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

(b) The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make such other rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

(c) The Board of Directors shall have the authority to appoint one or more banks or trust companies organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or agents or registrar or registrars, or both, in connection with the transfer or registration of any class or series of securities of the Corporation, and may require stock certificates to be countersigned or registered by one or more of such transfer agents and/or registrars.

(d) The Corporation shall have the authority to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of shareholders of any one or more classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of capital stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes or series owned by such shareholders in any manner permitted by the VSCA.

Section 5.5 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates representing one or more shares of capital stock of the Corporation or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person or entity claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed or may otherwise require production of such evidence of such loss, theft or destruction as the Board of Directors may in its discretion require. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, when authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates or such uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such owner’s duly authorized attorney or legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

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Section 5.6 Dividend Record Date . In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders of the Corporation entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or the shareholders entitled to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall be determined in the manner set forth in Section 2.13 of these bylaws.

Section 5.7 Registered Shareholders . The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person or entity registered on its books as the owner of shares of capital stock of the Corporation to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of such shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person or entity, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall indemnify any Indemnitee (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation) as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 7.1 Reliance on Books and Records . Each director of the Corporation, each member of any committee of the Board of Directors and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or documents presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person or entity as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s or entity’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 7.2 Dividends . Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the requirements of the VSCA and the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock, or in any combination thereof. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for purchasing any of the shares of capital stock, warrants, rights, options,

 

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bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any other proper purpose. The Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

Section 7.3 Corporate Funds; Checks, Drafts or Orders; Deposits . The funds of the Corporation shall be kept in such depositories as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money by or to the Corporation and all notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer, officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. All funds of the Corporation

Section 7.4 Execution of Contracts and Other Instruments . The Board of Directors, except as otherwise required by law, may authorize from time to time any officer or agent of the Corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any other instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, formal contracts, promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness, deeds of trust, mortgages and corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, and certificates for shares of stock owned by the Corporation shall be executed, signed or endorsed by any President (or any Vice President) and by the Secretary (or any Assistant Secretary) or the Treasurer (or any Assistant Treasurer). The Board of Directors may, however, authorize any one of these officers to sign any of such instruments, for and on behalf of the Corporation, without necessity of countersignature; may designate officers or employees of the Corporation, other than those named above, who may, in the name of the Corporation, sign such instruments; and may authorize the use of facsimile signatures for any of such persons. No officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for damages, whether monetary or otherwise, for any purpose or for any amount except as specifically authorized in these bylaws or by the Board of Directors or an officer or committee with the power to grant such authority.

Section 7.5 Signatures . In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these bylaws, facsimile or electronic signatures of any director or officer of the Corporation may be used whenever the signature of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be required, except as otherwise required by law or as directed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 7.6 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and once fixed, may thereafter be changed from time to time, by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.7 Corporate Seal . The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Virginia.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

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Section 7.8 Voting Securities Owned By the Corporation . Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents, and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, Treasurer or Secretary, any Vice President, Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary, or any other officer of the Corporation authorized to do so by the Board of Directors. Any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation or other entity in which the Corporation may own securities, and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present.

Section 7.9 Section Headings . Section headings in these bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 7.10 Inconsistent Provisions . In the event that any provision of these bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, the VSCA, or any other applicable law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 8.1 Amendments . In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered to amend and repeal these bylaws and adopt new bylaws, subject to the power of the shareholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend or repeal any of these bylaws, except for Section 3.12(b) of these Bylaws, which may only be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the directors present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which there is a quorum. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by any instrument designating any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the shareholders of the Corporation to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of these bylaws.

* * * *

 

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Exhibit 10.1

SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This Support Agreement, dated January 18, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between Strategic Value Partners, LLC and certain investment funds directly or indirectly managed by Strategic Value Partners, LLC, as listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, “ Shareholder ” and each individually, a “member” of Shareholder), and Penn Virginia Corporation (the “ Company ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and Shareholder have engaged in various discussions and communications concerning the Company’s business, financial performance and other matters;

WHEREAS, Shareholder is deemed to Beneficially Own shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 (the “ Common Stock ”), totaling, in the aggregate, 1,534,180 shares; and

WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and Shareholder has determined that it is in its best interests to come to an agreement with respect to certain matters in respect of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) and certain other matters, as provided in this Agreement.

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

 

1. Board Representation and Board Matters.

 

  (a) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and the Board have (i) increased the size of the Board by two directors and (ii) elected David Geenberg (the “ Shareholder Designee ”) to fill one of the newly created vacancies. The Shareholder Designee shall become a director of the Company effective immediately upon execution of this Agreement. The Shareholder Designee has previously executed and delivered to the Company (x) a completed director and officer questionnaire (the “ D&O Questionnaire ”), in the form provided, (y) an executed letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Nominee Letter ”) and (z) an executed irrevocable resignation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Resignation Letter ” and together with the D&O Questionnaire and the Nominee Letter, the “ Nomination Documents ”).

 

  (b) Subject to Shareholder’s and Shareholder Affiliates’ compliance with Section 2, the Company will include the Shareholder Designee in its slate of nominees for election as directors of the Company at the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders (the “ 2018 Annual Meeting ”) and, if the Shareholder Designee agrees to serve, at the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders (the “ 2019 Annual Meeting ”).


  (c) Subject to Shareholder’s and Shareholder Affiliates’ compliance with Section 2, the Company will use reasonable best efforts to cause the election of the Shareholder Designee to the Board at the 2018 Annual Meeting, and, if the Shareholder Designee agrees to serve, at the 2019 Annual Meeting (including, for each of the 2018 Annual Meeting and the 2019 Annual Meeting, recommending that the Company’s shareholders vote in favor of the election of the Shareholder Designee (along with all of the Company’s nominees) and otherwise supporting the Shareholder Designee for election in a manner no less rigorous and favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees in the aggregate).

 

  (d) Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Board and all applicable committees of the Board will take all action necessary to appoint the Shareholder Designee as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the “ N&G Committee ”).

 

  (e) At all times while serving as a member of the Board, the Shareholder Designee shall comply with all policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines applicable to Board members, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, securities trading policies, anti-hedging policies, Regulation FD-related policies, director confidentiality policies and corporate governance guidelines, and preserve the confidentiality of Company business and information, including discussions or matters considered in meetings of the Board or Board committees.

 

  (f) The Company agrees that the Shareholder Designee shall receive the same benefits of director and officer insurance and any indemnity and exculpation arrangements available generally to the Company’s directors. The Company will execute a director indemnification agreement in favor of the Shareholder Designee upon his or her appointment to the Board, in a form substantially the same as that executed in favor of the Board’s current members. The Shareholder Designee has waived any right to receive compensation for service as a director of the Company pursuant to the Company’s director compensation policy, including any stock or cash compensation.

 

  (g) Should the Shareholder Designee be rendered unable to serve on the Board at any time, the Company shall, at the request of Shareholder, add as a member of the Board a replacement that is selected by Shareholder and approved by the Board (a “ Replacement ”), such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Any such Replacement who becomes a Board member in replacement of the Shareholder Designee shall be deemed to be the Shareholder Designee for all purposes under this Agreement, and the Replacement, prior to his or her appointment to the Board, shall be required to provide to the Company equivalent Nomination Documents and meet with representatives of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board in accordance with the practices of the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

  (h)

If at any time after the date hereof, Shareholder, together with all controlled Affiliates of the members of Shareholder (such controlled Affiliates, collectively and individually, the “ Shareholder Affiliates ”), ceases collectively to Beneficially Own, an aggregate of at least 5% of the number of shares of Common Stock then

 

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  outstanding, the Resignation Letter previously provided by the Shareholder Designee in the form of Exhibit B shall become effective, and the Company shall have no further obligations under this Section 1. Shareholder shall keep the Company regularly apprised of the Beneficial Ownership of Shareholder and the Shareholder Affiliates to the extent that such position differs by 1% or more from the ownership positions publicly reported on Shareholder’s Schedule 13D and amendments thereto.

 

  (i) If at any time after the date hereof and prior to the expiration or termination of the Standstill Period, Shareholder or any of the Shareholder Affiliates breaches in any material respect any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company in good faith notifies Shareholders or the applicable Shareholder Affiliates of such breach, and Shareholder or such Shareholder Affiliate fails to cure such breach within twenty business days following the receipt of written notice thereof from the Company specifying such breach (it being understood that breaches that by their nature cannot be reversed or undone shall be deemed to have been cured for purposes hereof if the Shareholder or a Shareholder Affiliate has taken commercially reasonable actions to reduce the adverse impact of such breach), the Resignation Letter previously provided by the Shareholder Designee shall become effective, and the Company shall have no further obligations under this Section 1.

 

  (j) The Company promptly after the date hereof shall take all necessary action to cause the obligations of its insurers providing directors’ and officers’ insurance to be primary to any (1) directors’ and officers’ insurance policy issued to Shareholder or a Shareholder Affiliate, and (2) advancement or indemnification rights provided by Shareholder or a Shareholder Affiliate.

 

2. Standstill and Voting Obligations.

 

  (a) Shareholder agrees that, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (1) the date that is twenty business days following written notice from Shareholder to the Company of a material breach by the Company of this Agreement if the Company has not cured such breach by the twentieth business day following such notice (it being understood that breaches that by their nature cannot be reversed or undone shall be deemed to have been cured for purposes hereof if the Company has taken commercially reasonable actions to reduce the adverse impact of such breach) and (2) the later of (x) the completion of the 2019 Annual Meeting (including any postponements, adjournments and continuations thereof) and (y) 15 days after the date that the Shareholder Designee (including any Replacement) ceases to serve as a director (the “ Standstill Period ”), no member of Shareholder shall, directly or indirectly, and each member of Shareholder shall cause each Shareholder Affiliate not to, directly or indirectly (it being understood and agreed that the following restrictions shall not apply to the Shareholder Designee’s boardroom discussions conducted in such person’s capacity as a director of the Company, or other actions taken in his or her capacity as a director, including his or her responsibilities as a member of a board committee):

 

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  (i) engage in a “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act) or written consents of stockholders with respect to, or from the holders of, the Voting Securities (other than any Shareholder Affiliate), for the election of individuals to the Board or to approve stockholder proposals, or become a “participant” (as such term is defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) in any contested “solicitation” for the election of directors with respect to the Company (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act) (other than a “solicitation” or acting as a “participant” in support of the nominees of the Board at any stockholder meeting or voting its shares at any such meeting in its sole discretion, or providing such encouragement, advice or influence that is consistent with Company management’s recommendation in connection with such director nominees);

 

  (ii) form or join a “group” as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Voting Securities (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any group composed solely of Shareholder and Shareholder Affiliates);

 

  (iii) support or participate in any effort by any person or entity not a party to this Agreement (a “ Third Party ”) with respect to the matters set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement;

 

  (iv) present at any annual meeting or any special meeting of the Company’s stockholders or through action by written consent any proposal for consideration for action by stockholders or seek the removal of any member of the Board or propose any nominee for election to the Board or seek representation on the Board except as set forth herein;

 

  (v) solely with respect to matters set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement, grant any proxy, consent or other authority to vote with respect to any matters (other than to the named proxies included in the Company’s proxy card for any annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders) or deposit any Voting Securities of the Company in a voting trust or subject them to a voting agreement or other arrangement of similar effect with respect to any annual or special meeting or action by written consent (excluding customary brokerage accounts, margin accounts, prime brokerage accounts and the like); or

 

  (vi) request, directly or indirectly, any amendment or waiver of the foregoing in a manner that would be reasonably likely to require public disclosure by Shareholder or the Company.

 

  (b)

Until the end of the Standstill Period, Shareholder and the Shareholder Affiliates shall cause all Voting Securities owned by them directly or indirectly, whether owned of record or Beneficially Owned, as of the record date for any annual or special meeting of stockholders or in connection with any solicitation of shareholder action by written consent (each a “ Shareholders Meeting ”) within the

 

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  Standstill Period, in each case that are entitled to vote at any such Shareholders Meeting, to be present for quorum purposes and to be voted, at all such Shareholders Meetings or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, (i) for all directors nominated by the Board for election at such Shareholders Meeting and (ii) in accordance with the recommendation of the Board on any other proposals or other business that comes before any Shareholder Meeting, including with respect to the 2018 Annual Meeting and the 2019 Annual Meeting (other than any proposals that require shareholder approval relating to (1) amendments to the Company’s articles of incorporation or other organizational documents, (2) mergers, acquisitions, asset sales or purchases, recapitalizations, or other business combinations or extraordinary transactions, or (3) the issuance of Company equity securities in connection with any such transaction).

 

  (c) Nothing in this Section 2 shall be deemed to limit the exercise in good faith by Shareholder Designee of his or her fiduciary duties solely in his or her capacity as a director of the Company.

 

3. Public Announcements . Promptly following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall announce this Agreement by means of a press release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Press Release ”).

 

4. Confidentiality Agreement . The Company hereby agrees that the Shareholder Designee is permitted to and may provide confidential information to certain specified officers and employees of Shareholder that are involved in advising Shareholder regarding its investment in the Company, subject to and in accordance with the confidentiality requirements applicable generally to the directors of the Company, including under applicable law and the Company’s policies. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 shall be deemed an “appropriate confidentiality agreement” permitting disclosure to persons outside the Company for purposes of the Company’s policies.

 

5. Non-Disparagement . During the Standstill Period, Shareholder and the Company agree to not make, or cause to be made, and to cause each of their respective officers, directors, members, and employees not to make (whether directly or indirectly through any Affiliate), any public statement or announcement that relates to and constitutes an ad hominem attack on, or relates to and otherwise disparages, the other party or their respective business, operations or financial performance, officers, members or directors or any person who has served as an officer, member or director of either party in the past, or who serves as an officer, director or agent of either party (a) in any document or report filed with or furnished to the SEC or any other governmental agency, (b) in any press release or other publicly available format or (c) to any journalist or member of the media (including without limitation, in a television, radio, internet, newspaper or magazine interview).

 

6. Representations and Warranties of All Parties . Each of the parties represents and warrants to the other party that: (a) such party has all requisite company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by it and is a valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; and (c) this Agreement will not result in a violation of any terms or conditions of any agreements to which such person is a party or by which such party may otherwise be bound or of any law, rule, license, regulation, judgment, order or decree governing or affecting such party.

 

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7. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder . Each member of Shareholder jointly represents and warrants that, as of the date of this Agreement, (a) Shareholder, together with all of the Shareholder Affiliates, collectively Beneficially Own, an aggregate of 1,534,180 shares of Common Stock; (b) except for such ownership, no member of Shareholder, individually or in the aggregate with all other members of Shareholder and the Shareholder Affiliates, has any other Beneficial Ownership of, and/or economic exposure to, any Voting Securities, including through any derivative transaction described in the definition of “Beneficial Ownership” above; and (c) Shareholder has not provided or agreed to provide, and will not provide, any compensation in cash or otherwise to the Shareholder Designee, solely in his capacity as a director or director nominee of the Company in connection with such Shareholder Designee’s nomination and appointment to, or service on, the Board.

 

8. Certain Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement:

 

  (a) The term “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act.

 

  (b) Beneficially Own ,” “ Beneficial Owner ”, and “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

  (c) Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  (d) The terms “ person ” or “ persons ” shall mean any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability or unlimited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization or other entity of any kind or nature.

 

  (e) SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

  (f) Voting Securities ” shall mean the Common Stock, and any other securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors, or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities entitled to vote in the election of directors, whether or not subject to the passage of time or other contingencies.

 

9.

Miscellaneous . The parties hereto recognize and agree that if for any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each party agrees that in addition to other remedies the other party shall be entitled to at law or equity, except to the extent mandatorily governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia

 

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  concerning the internal affairs of the Company, the other party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement exclusively in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the Borough of Manhattan of the City of New York. In the event that any action shall be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, no party shall allege, and each party hereby waives the defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and this Agreement and all disputes hereunder shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflict of laws provision which would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction. By its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees for itself that any legal action, suit or proceeding with respect to any matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding may be brought, on an exclusive basis, in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the Borough of Manhattan of the City of New York. By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably accepts and submits itself to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such court, generally and unconditionally, with respect to any such action, suit or proceeding and waives any defense of forum non conveniens or based upon venue if such action, suit or proceeding is brought in accordance with this provision.

 

10. No Waiver . Any waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Agreement. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.

 

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

 

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

 

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if to the Company:

Penn Virginia Corporation

14701 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 275

Houston, TX 77079

Attention:         Chief Legal Officer

Email:               katie.ryan@pennvirginia.com

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

1221 McKinney Street

Houston, TX 77010-2046

Attention:         Hillary H. Holmes

Email:               hholmes@gibsondunn.com

if to Shareholder:

Strategic Value Partners, LLC

100 West Putnam Ave.

Greenwich, CT 06830

Attention:         David B. Charnin

Email:               dcharnin@svpglobal.com

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Proskauer Rose LLP

Eleven Times Square

New York, NY 10036-8299

Attention:         Arnold S. Jacobs

Email:               ajacobs@proskauer.com

 

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

 

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts which together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

15. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall not be assignable by any of the parties to this Agreement. This Agreement, however, shall be binding on successors of the parties hereto.

 

16. No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not enforceable by any other persons, except with respect to Shareholder Designee (including any Replacement).

 

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17. Fees and Expenses . Each party will bear its own costs, fees and expenses in connection with this Agreement.

 

18. Interpretation and Construction . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel of its choice throughout all negotiations that have preceded the execution of this Agreement, and that it has executed the same with the advice of said independent counsel. Each party and its counsel cooperated and participated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto exchanged among the parties shall be deemed the work product of all of the parties and may not be construed against any party by reason of its drafting or preparation. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against any party that drafted or prepared it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived by each of the parties hereto, and any controversy over interpretations of this Agreement shall be decided without regards to events of drafting or preparation. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including without limitation” in all instances.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

PENN VIRGINIA CORPORATION
By:   /s/ John A. Brooks
  Name: John A. Brooks
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signatures continued on the following page.]

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]


STRATEGIC VALUE PARTNERS, LLC
By:   /s/ James Dougherty
  Name: James Dougherty
  Title: Fund Chief Financial Officer

[ Signatures continued on the following page. ]

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]


STRATEGIC VALUE MASTER FUND, LTD.

By: Strategic Value Partners, LLC, its Investment Manager

By:  

/s/ James Dougherty

  Name: James Dougherty
  Title: Fund Chief Financial Officer

[ Signatures continued on the following page. ]

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]


STRATEGIC VALUE SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND III, L.P.

By: SVP Special Situations III, LLC, its Investment Manager

By:  

/s/ James Dougherty

  Name: James Dougherty
  Title: Fund Chief Financial Officer

[ Signatures continued on the following page. ]

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]


STRATEGIC VALUE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.

By: SVP Special Situations III-A, LLC, its Investment Manager

By:  

/s/ James Dougherty

  Name: James Dougherty
  Title: Fund Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

 

 

Strategic Value Master Fund, Ltd.

Strategic Value Special Situations Fund III, L.P.

Strategic Value Opportunities Fund, L.P.


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOMINEE LETTER

January 18, 2018

Attention: Board of Directors

Penn Virginia Corporation

14701 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 275

Houston, TX 77079

 

  Re : Consent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter is delivered pursuant to the Support Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), by and among Penn Virginia Corporation and Shareholder (as defined therein). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

In connection with the Agreement, I hereby consent to (a) serve as a director of the Company effective January 19, 2018 (b) if nominated by the Company, be named as a nominee for the position of director of the Company in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting and the 2019 Annual Meeting and (c) serve as a director if I am so elected at the 2018 Annual Meeting and the 2019 Annual Meeting. I also agree that, after the date hereof, I will provide to the Company, as requested by the Company from time to time, such information as the Company is entitled to reasonably receive from other members of the Board and as is required to be disclosed in proxy statements or other reports or filings under applicable law or securities exchange listing requirements.

At all times while serving as a member of the Board, I agree to comply with all policies, procedures, processes, codes, rules, standards and guidelines applicable to Board members, including the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, securities trading policies, anti-hedging policies, Regulation FD-related policies, director confidentiality policies and corporate governance guidelines, in each case that have been identified to me, and preserve the confidentiality of the Company’s business and information, including discussions or matters considered in meetings of the Board or Board committees. I hereby waive any right to receive compensation for service as a director of the Company pursuant to the Company’s director compensation policy, including any stock or cash compensation. I acknowledge and agree that the foregoing obligations are in addition to the fiduciary and common law duties of any director of a Virginia corporation.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ David Geenberg

Name: David Geenberg


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF IRREVOCABLE RESIGNATION

January 18, 2018

Attention: Board of Directors

Penn Virginia Corporation

14701 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 275

Houston, TX 77079

 

  Re: Resignation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This irrevocable resignation is delivered pursuant to the Support Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), by and among Penn Virginia Corporation and Shareholder (as defined therein). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement. Effective only upon, and subject to, (1) such time as Shareholder, together with all of the Shareholder Affiliates, ceases collectively to “beneficially own” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) at least 5% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, or (2) prior to the expiration or termination of the Standstill Period, Shareholder or any Shareholder Affiliate breaches in any material respect any of the terms of the Agreement and fails to cure such breach within twenty business days following the receipt of written notice thereof from the Company specifying such breach (it being understood that breaches that by their nature cannot be reversed or undone shall be deemed to have been cured for purposes hereof if the Shareholder or a Shareholder Affiliate has taken commercially reasonable actions to reduce the adverse impact of such breach), I hereby resign from my position as a director of the Company and from any and all committees of the Board on which I serve.

This resignation may not be withdrawn by me at any time during which it is effective.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ David Geenberg

Name: David Geenberg


EXHIBIT C

PRESS RELEASE

[ See attached. ]


Penn Virginia Announces Retirement of Executive Chairman and Appointment of New Members of the Board of Directors

HOUSTON, January 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Penn Virginia Corporation (“Penn Virginia” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:PVAC) today announced the retirement of Harry Quarls from his positions as Executive Chairman and as a director of the Company, effective on February 28, 2018. Additionally, the Company also announced the expansion of its board of directors from five to seven members and the appointments of Mr. David Geenberg and Mr. Michael Hanna as new independent board members, effective immediately.

Mr. Quarls said, “I am very pleased by what we have been able to accomplish since the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy in September 2016. We have rebuilt the capabilities of the Company to be a top performer in the Eagle Ford; managed a strategic alternatives process; and completed two accretive, strategic acquisitions in our core area which have increased production and operated inventory by over 50%. The Company is now favorably positioned for the future. However, this effort has required a significant commitment of my time, which is limiting my ability to spend time with other opportunities, including time with my family. With these accomplishments, now is a good time to step away and dedicate my time elsewhere. I thank all the employees at Penn Virginia and its board for the chance to work with them on this terrific journey. I wish all continued success.”

Upon Mr. Quarls’ retirement, Penn Virginia’s board of directors will be reduced from seven members to six members, and each of Mr. Darin G. Holderness and Mr. Geenberg will serve as the non-executive Co-Chairman of Penn Virginia’s board of directors. The Company plans to conduct a search for a new director and Chairman who is not a shareholder representative and who has oil and gas industry expertise. Mr. Quarls has also agreed to provide consulting services for the Company through the end of 2018.

“Harry has been instrumental in the Company’s turnaround and his leadership will be missed,” said John A. Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer. “His experience, energy, commitment and knowledge served the Company well over the last year and a half and positions Penn Virginia well for the future. With our focus on the future, we believe the insight that Michael and David will provide as to the perspectives of our shareholders as well as their expertise in finance will prove to be an invaluable asset to Penn Virginia.”

Mr. Geenberg is Co-Head of US Investment Team of Strategic Value Partners, LLC (“SVP”), which together with its affiliates manage certain investment funds and accounts that hold approximately 10.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, respectively. Mr. Geenberg joined SVP in 2009, and since such time, he has led the firm’s investment efforts in the infrastructure, energy, and power sectors in North America, serving on the steering committees of more than a dozen significant restructurings. Previously, Mr. Geenberg worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co., most recently in the Infrastructure Investment Group and Principal Investment Area focused on energy and transportation infrastructure


businesses, and, prior to that, in the investment bank’s Natural Resources Group. Mr. Geenberg received a B.A. in Economics summa cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2005. The board of directors believes Mr. Geenberg’s experience in advising and investing in the energy industry will bring value to the Company. In connection with Mr. Geenberg’s election to the board of directors, SVP and Mr. Geenberg have entered into a standstill and support agreement with the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, during the standstill period SVP will vote its shares of common stock in favor of the board’s recommendation with respect to director nominations and other routine matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s Shareholders.

Mr. Hanna is a Partner and Portfolio Manager of KLS Diversified Asset Management (“KLS”), which beneficially owns approximately 7.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Mr. Hanna joined KLS in July 2015 and has 16 years of investment banking and portfolio management experience. Prior to joining KLS, Mr. Hanna was a Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading at BulwarkBay Investment Group, LLC, a firm he co-founded in 2011. Previously, he was a portfolio manager with Concordia Advisors LLC, where he co-managed the firm’s Distressed Debt Fund. Mr. Hanna joined Concordia in 2005. Prior to joining Concordia, he worked in the Leveraged Finance/Financial Sponsors and Global Corporate Investment Banking groups of RBC Capital Markets from 2004 to 2005 and Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Hanna’s industry experience includes oil & gas, industrials, paper and forest products, insurance and financials, aerospace and energy. He is a member of the board of directors of Modular Space Corporation and Sensei, Inc. Mr. Hanna received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 2001 and is a CFA Charter holder. The board of directors believes Mr. Hanna’s experience in finance will bring value to the Company.

Penn Virginia also announced today its adoption of amended and restated bylaws to require the approval of at least two-thirds of the directors then on its board of directors for certain significant transactions, including a sale of substantially all assets of the Company, an increase in the authorized capital of the company or the issuance of preferred stock.

About Penn Virginia Corporation

Penn Virginia Corporation is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, NGLs and natural gas in various domestic onshore regions of the United States, with a primary focus in the Eagle Ford Shale in south Texas. For more information, please visit our website at www.pennvirginia.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We use words such as “will,” “pursue,” “expect,” “prove,” “believes,” “future,” and


variations of such words or similar expressions in this press release to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements include assumptions, risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our press releases and public filings with the SEC. Many of the factors that will determine our future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. The statements in this release speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Contact

Steve Hartman

Chief Financial Officer

Ph: (713) 722-6529

E-Mail: invest@pennvirginia.com

Exhibit 10.2

SEPARATION AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by and between Penn Virginia Corporation (the “ Company ”) and Harry Quarls (the “ Executive ”) effective, except as provided in Section 3.3 below, as of this 18 th day of January 2018.

WHEREAS, the Executive has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) since September 2016 and has served as Executive Chairman of the Company since August 15, 2017;

WHEREAS, the Executive previously received grants of (i) 18,772 director restricted stock units, of which 6,257 director restricted stock units vested on December 19, 2017 and 12,515 director restricted stock units remain outstanding (the “ Director RSUs ”), (ii) 9,455 officer restricted stock units, of which 1,891 will vest on January 26, 2018 (the “ Officer RSUs ”), and (iii) 9,455 performance restricted stock units (the “ Performance-Based RSUs ” and together with the Director RSUs and the Officer RSUs, the “ Equity Awards ”) under the Penn Virginia Corporation 2016 Management Incentive Plan (as the same may be amended, the “ Equity Plan ”);

WHEREAS, the Executive has determined to retire from his positions as a member of the Board and the Executive Chairman of the Company, in each case effective as of February 28, 2018;

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company wish to set forth the terms and conditions of the Executive’s post-employment relationship with the Company, along with related rights and obligations of the parties hereto; and

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company wish to resolve all matters related to the Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination thereof, on the terms and conditions expressed in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Termination of Employment; Consulting Services .

1.1 Termination . The Executive and the Company agree that the Executive’s employment with and position as Executive Chairman of the Company and, except as set forth in Section 1.2 below, all other positions that the Executive may hold as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall cease effective as of 11:59 PM Central Time on February 28, 2018 (the “ Separation Date ”).

1.2 Consulting Services; Consulting Fee . For a period commencing on March 1, 2018 and continuing through and including December 31, 2018 (the “ Service Period ”), the Executive shall provide transition and support services to the Company as reasonably requested by the Board (collectively, the “ Consulting Services ”). As consideration for up to fifty (50) business days of Consulting Services performed during the Service Period (but no more than five (5) business days in any calendar month), the Company shall pay the Executive a flat consulting


fee (the “ Consulting Fee ”) of $250,000. The Consulting Fee shall be paid in a lump sum within five (5) days following the Separation Date and shall be the sole compensation to which the Executive shall be entitled for up to fifty (50) business days of Consulting Services; provided that the Executive shall not be required to perform such Consulting Services more than five (5) business days in any calendar month during the Service Period. For any Consulting Services performed in excess of fifty (50) business days (or performed in excess of five (5) business days in any calendar month) during the Service Period, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount to be mutually agreed upon between the Executive and the Company. The Executive will render the Consulting Services as an independent contractor, while specifically adhering in all material respects to the written rules, policies, regulations and procedures of the Company, as may be amended by the Company at any time. Neither federal, state, or local income tax nor social security tax nor payroll tax of any kind will be withheld by the Company from the Consulting Fee or any other payments pursuant to this Section 1.2, and the Executive understands that he is responsible to pay, according to applicable law, any taxes owed in connection with such payments. Except as otherwise specifically agreed to by the Company in writing, the Executive shall have no authority or power to bind the Company with respect to third parties and the Executive shall not represent to third parties that the Executive has authority or power to bind the Company. It is not the intention of the parties to this Agreement to create, by virtue of this Section 1.2, any employment relationship, trust, partnership, or joint venture between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates, to make them legal representatives or agents of each other or to create any fiduciary relationship among them. The Company is entering into this Agreement in reliance on the Executive’s special and unique abilities in rendering the Consulting Services and the Executive will use his best effort, skill, judgment, and ability in rendering the Consulting Services. The Consulting Services shall be provided on a part-time basis at such times and locations as may be agreed to between the Executive and the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive shall be entitled to accept other employment and pursue other activities and interests during the Service Period, so long as such employment, activities and interests do not otherwise breach the Executive’s obligations under this Agreement.

2. Accrued Rights; Equity Awards; Other Benefits .

2.1 Accrued Rights . The Executive shall be entitled to payment of his regular base salary earned through the Separation Date and all expense reimbursements properly accrued and submitted on or before the Separation Date, which amounts shall be payable in a lump sum within fifteen (15) days following the Separation Date. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to any payments due to him under the Company’s benefit plans, programs or arrangements, with such amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such plans, programs or arrangements. Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding the terms of any other agreement between the Executive and the Company including, but not limited to the Equity Plan and any agreements evidencing the Equity Awards, the Executive’s rights and the Company’s obligations with respect to the Equity Awards shall be governed by the terms of Section 2.2 hereof. The Executive and the Company expressly consent to such treatment of the Equity Awards.

 

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2.2 Equity Awards . Notwithstanding his termination of Employment and conditioned upon the Executive’s execution, delivery, and non-revocation of this Agreement (including the releases of claims described in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 below that form a material part of this Agreement), the Executive shall vest, on the Separation Date, in: (a) all 12,515 of the Director RSUs; (b) 1,891 of the Officer RSUs (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is in addition to the 1,891 of the Officer RSUs that will have vested as of January 26, 2018 in accordance with their terms); and (c) 1,968 of the Performance-Based RSUs. All other unvested restricted stock units subject to the Equity Awards shall be forfeited on the Separation Date. In all other respects, the Equity Awards will continue to be governed by the terms of the Equity Plan.

2.3 Business Expenses . The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable documented out-of-pocket business, entertainment, and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Consulting Services in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures; provided that Executive shall be required to obtain prior consent for any expenses that could exceed $5,000.

2.4 No Other Benefits . Except as provided in this Agreement, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any other payment, benefit or other form of compensation as a result of his employment or the termination thereof or his engagement during the Service Period.

3. Releases of Claims .

3.1 Executive’s Release . Except for those obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Equity Awards (as modified hereby) and in consideration for the promises described herein, the Executive, on behalf of himself and his dependents, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, and executors (collectively, the “ Releasors ”), hereby releases and discharges and covenants not to sue, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company and its predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, parents, branches, divisions, and other affiliates, and each of their current and former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, members, representatives, attorneys, successors and assignees, past and present, and each of them (individually and collectively, the “ Releasees ”) from and with respect to any and all claims, wages, agreements, obligations, demands, causes of action, rights, liabilities, costs or expenses, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, concealed or hidden (collectively, “ Claims ”), of any kind whatsoever, related to any fact, circumstance or event occurring or existing at any time before the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, arising out of or in any way connected with the Executive’s engagement by, employment relationship with or separation from the Company, including by way of example only, any Claims for severance pay, bonus or similar benefit, sick leave, pension, retirement, vacation pay, life insurance, health or medical insurance or any other fringe benefit, any benefits arising from any ERISA benefit plan, workers’ compensation or disability, Claims of breach of contract, tort Claims, any Claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance, including Claims for attorneys’ fees. The Executive, on behalf of the Releasors, expressly waives any and all rights granted by federal or state law or regulation that may limit the release of unknown claims. Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall be construed as prohibiting the Executive from filing a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (each a “ Government Agency ”). The Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit

 

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the Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive agrees that if such a charge or complaint is made, the Executive shall not be entitled to recover any individual monetary relief or other individual remedies. This Agreement does not limit or prohibit the Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agency to the extent that such limitation or prohibition is a violation of law.

3.2 Company’s Release . Except for those obligations of the Executive under this Agreement and in consideration for the promises described herein, the Company, on behalf of its predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, parents, branches, divisions, and other affiliates, hereby releases and discharges and covenants not to sue, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Releasors from and with respect to any and all Claims of any kind whatsoever related to any fact, circumstance or event occurring or existing at any time before the Company’s execution of this Agreement, arising out of or in any way connected with the Executive’s engagement by, employment relationship with or separation from the Company, including by way of example only, Claims of breach of contract, tort claims, violations of federal, state or local laws, including but not limited to claims for attorneys’ fees, or any of the Executive’s negligent, grossly negligent or willful actions or omissions related to the Executive’s employment or engagement with the Company.

3.3 ADEA Waiver . In consideration for the payments and other promises described in Section 2.2 above, the Executive, on behalf of himself and his dependents, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, and executors, forever gives up, waives, discharges and releases the Releasees from any and all claims pursuant to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ ADEA ”). In connection with this specific waiver of claims set forth in this Section 3.3, the Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Section 3.3 and if the Executive signs this Agreement earlier, he does so voluntarily, freely and without reservation. The Executive further agrees and acknowledges that he has seven (7) days after he signs this Agreement to revoke his release of claims under this Section 3.3. In order to revoke his release of claims under this Section 3.3, the Executive must do so in writing delivered to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. of the seventh (7th) day after the execution of this Agreement. If the release of claims under this Section 3.3 is not properly revoked within the seven (7)-day period, it shall become fully enforceable on the eighth (8th) day after the Executive signs this Agreement, without any affirmative act by either party. This ADEA waiver does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed.

4. Advice of Counsel . THE EXECUTIVE IS HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNSEL OF HIS CHOOSING TO READ AND REVIEW IT AND THAT HE IS SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT FREELY, VOLUNTARILY AND WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS TERMS AND CONSEQUENCES.

 

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5. Non-Disparagement; Press Release . The Executive agrees that he shall not disparage the Company (or any officer, director or affiliate thereof) in any way that materially and adversely affects the goodwill, reputation or business relationships of the Company or the officer, director or affiliate with the public generally, or with any of the Company’s customers, vendors or employees. The Company shall not, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its directors, officers and employees not to, disparage the Executive in any way that materially and adversely affects him or his reputation or business relationships. The parties shall mutually cooperate in the preparation of agreed language in the Company’s press release announcing the Executive’s departure.

6. Continuing Obligations .

6.1 Confidentiality . During the course of the Executive’s engagement by and employment with the Company, the Executive has been and will be given access to and receive Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding the business of the Company and its affiliates. The Executive covenants and agrees that at all times during the Service Period and thereafter the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, disclose any Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement, the term “ Confidential Information ” means any and all confidential, proprietary or trade secret information of the Company or an affiliate not within the public domain, whether disclosed, directly or indirectly, verbally, in writing (including electronically) or by any other means in tangible or intangible form, including that which is or was conceived or developed by the Executive, applicable to or in any way related to: (i) the past, present or future business activities, products and services, and customers of the Company or its affiliates; (ii) the research and development of the Company or its affiliates; or (iii) the business of any customer, client or vendor of the Company or its affiliates. Such Confidential Information includes the following property or information of the Company or its affiliates, by way of example and without limitation, trade secrets, processes, formulas, data, program documentation, customer lists, designs, drawings, algorithms, source code, object code, know-how, improvements, inventions, licenses, techniques, all plans or strategies for marketing, development and pricing, business plans, product roadmaps, financial statements, profit margins and all information concerning existing or potential customers, clients, suppliers or vendors. Confidential Information of the Company also means all similar information disclosed to any employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company by third parties that is subject to confidentiality obligations. The Company shall not be required to advise the Executive specifically of the confidential nature of any such information, nor shall the Company be required to affix a designation of confidentiality to any tangible item, in order to establish and maintain its confidential nature. Notwithstanding the preceding to the contrary, Confidential Information shall not include general industry information or information that is publicly available or readily discernable from publicly available products or literature; information that the Executive lawfully acquired from a source other than the Company or its affiliates or any client or vendor of the Company or any of its affiliates (provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates); information that is required to be disclosed pursuant to any law, regulation, rule of any governmental body or authority, or stock exchange, or court order; or information that reflects employee’s own skills, knowledge, know-how and experience gained prior to employment or service and outside of any connection to or relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates, or the predecessors of any such entities. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Executive from

 

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voluntarily communicating, without notice to or approval by the Company, with any federal government agency about a potential violation of a federal law or regulation. In addition, in accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (x) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

6.2 Return of Property . The Executive represents and warrants that following the end of the Service Period, he will not retain, or deliver to any person or entity (including the Executive by means of a Company or personal or other non-Company e-mail account owned or used by the Executive), any Company property, including the original and any copies of any documents, records, notebooks, computer files, flash drives, images, emails, pdf files, zip files, computer programs or disks or any other similar repositories containing Confidential Information within his possession, custody, or control. The Executive further agrees not to keep any Company documents in the Executive’s possession or under the Executive’s control, re-create any Company documents, or deliver any Company documents to any third party.

6.3 Indemnification . The Company acknowledges and agrees that that certain Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and the Executive dated as of September 28, 2016 shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms notwithstanding the Executive’s termination of employment.

7. Further Assurances; Cooperation . Each party shall cooperate with the other party as reasonably requested by the other party in connection with the performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement. The Executive agrees to make himself available as reasonably practical with respect to, and to use reasonable efforts to cooperate in conjunction with, any litigation or investigation arising from events that occurred during the Executive’s employment with or engagement by the Company (whether such litigation or investigation is then pending or subsequently initiated) involving the Company or any affiliate thereof, including providing testimony and preparing to provide testimony if so requested by the Company. The Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive for reasonable documented expenses incurred by the Executive in complying with this Section 7 provided that Executive shall be required to obtain prior consent for any expenses that could exceed $5,000.

8. Entire Agreement; Assignment . This Agreement, the Equity Awards (as modified hereby), and the Indemnification Agreement previously entered into between the Executive and the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements between the parties with respect to such matters. This Agreement may be modified or amended only with the written consent of both parties. The Company may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any person without the prior written consent of the Executive. This Agreement is for the Executive’s personal services and he may not assign, transfer, or delegate any duty or obligation to perform such services. Any such attempted assignment shall be null and void.

 

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9. No Admission of Liability . It is understood and agreed that this is a settlement of any potential claims, and that the furnishing of the consideration for this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed as an admission of liability or responsibility at any time for any purpose. It is further agreed and understood that this Agreement is being entered into solely for the purpose of avoiding any expense and inconvenience from defending against any and all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, liabilities, and causes of action referred to herein. Liability for any and all claims or potential claims is expressly denied by the Executive and the Company.

10. Waiver . Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of either party to exercise any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof.

11. Notice . All notices required by this Agreement must be in writing and must be delivered or mailed to the addresses given below or such other addresses as the parties may designate in writing.

If to the Company:

Penn Virginia Corporation

14701 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 275

Houston, Texas 77079

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Executive:

to the last residential address known by the Company.

12. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by exchange of facsimile or electronically mailed copies showing the signatures of the parties, and those signatures need not be affixed to the same copy.

13. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue . The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, applicable to contracts made or to be wholly performed there (without giving effect to choice of law or conflict of law principles) shall govern the validity, construction, performance, and effect of this Agreement. The Company and the Executive hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the courts of the State of Texas (the “ Texas Courts ”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Texas Courts for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Texas Courts, and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Texas Courts has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

14. Compliance with Section 409A . The Company intends for this Agreement to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), or an exception thereto, but it does not warrant or guarantee such compliance. The terms of this Agreement shall be interpreted, to the fullest extent possible, to comply with

 

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Section 409A of the Code or an exception thereto. The Executive shall not have any right to make any election regarding the time or form of any payment due under the terms of this Agreement. Further, the Executive shall remain solely responsible for any adverse tax consequences imposed upon him by Section 409A of the Code, if any.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates indicated below.

 

COMPANY       EXECUTIVE
Penn Virginia Corporation      

/s/ John A. Brooks

     

/s/ Harry Quarls

      Harry Quarls
Name: John A. Brooks      
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer       Date: January 18, 2018
Date: January 18, 2018      

[Signature Page to Separation and Consulting Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

Penn Virginia Announces Retirement of Executive Chairman and Appointment of New Members of the Board of Directors

HOUSTON, January 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Penn Virginia Corporation (“Penn Virginia” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:PVAC) today announced the retirement of Harry Quarls from his positions as Executive Chairman and as a director of the Company, effective on February 28, 2018. Additionally, the Company also announced the expansion of its board of directors from five to seven members and the appointments of Mr. David Geenberg and Mr. Michael Hanna as new independent board members, effective immediately.

Mr. Quarls said, “I am very pleased by what we have been able to accomplish since the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy in September 2016. We have rebuilt the capabilities of the Company to be a top performer in the Eagle Ford; managed a strategic alternatives process; and completed two accretive, strategic acquisitions in our core area which have increased production and operated inventory by over 50%. The Company is now favorably positioned for the future. However, this effort has required a significant commitment of my time, which is limiting my ability to spend time with other opportunities, including time with my family. With these accomplishments, now is a good time to step away and dedicate my time elsewhere. I thank all the employees at Penn Virginia and its board for the chance to work with them on this terrific journey. I wish all continued success.”

Upon Mr. Quarls’ retirement, Penn Virginia’s board of directors will be reduced from seven members to six members, and each of Mr. Darin G. Holderness and Mr. Geenberg will serve as the non-executive Co-Chairman of Penn Virginia’s board of directors. The Company plans to conduct a search for a new director and Chairman who is not a shareholder representative and who has oil and gas industry expertise. Mr. Quarls has also agreed to provide consulting services for the Company through the end of 2018.

“Harry has been instrumental in the Company’s turnaround and his leadership will be missed,” said John A. Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer. “His experience, energy, commitment and knowledge served the Company well over the last year and a half and positions Penn Virginia well for the future. With our focus on the future, we believe the insight that Michael and David will provide as to the perspectives of our shareholders as well as their expertise in finance will prove to be an invaluable asset to Penn Virginia.”

Mr. Geenberg is Co-Head of US Investment Team of Strategic Value Partners, LLC (“SVP”), which together with its affiliates manage certain investment funds and accounts that hold approximately 10.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, respectively. Mr. Geenberg joined SVP in 2009, and since such time, he has led the firm’s investment efforts in the infrastructure, energy, and power sectors in North America, serving on the steering committees


of more than a dozen significant restructurings. Previously, Mr. Geenberg worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co., most recently in the Infrastructure Investment Group and Principal Investment Area focused on energy and transportation infrastructure businesses, and, prior to that, in the investment bank’s Natural Resources Group. Mr. Geenberg received a B.A. in Economics summa cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2005. The board of directors believes Mr. Geenberg’s experience in advising and investing in the energy industry will bring value to the Company. In connection with Mr. Geenberg’s election to the board of directors, SVP and Mr. Geenberg have entered into a standstill and support agreement with the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, during the standstill period SVP will vote its shares of common stock in favor of the board’s recommendation with respect to director nominations and other routine matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s Shareholders.

Mr. Hanna is a Partner and Portfolio Manager of KLS Diversified Asset Management (“KLS”), which beneficially owns approximately 7.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Mr. Hanna joined KLS in July 2015 and has 16 years of investment banking and portfolio management experience. Prior to joining KLS, Mr. Hanna was a Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading at BulwarkBay Investment Group, LLC, a firm he co-founded in 2011. Previously, he was a portfolio manager with Concordia Advisors LLC, where he co-managed the firm’s Distressed Debt Fund. Mr. Hanna joined Concordia in 2005. Prior to joining Concordia, he worked in the Leveraged Finance/Financial Sponsors and Global Corporate Investment Banking groups of RBC Capital Markets from 2004 to 2005 and Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Hanna’s industry experience includes oil & gas, industrials, paper and forest products, insurance and financials, aerospace and energy. He is a member of the board of directors of Modular Space Corporation and Sensei, Inc. Mr. Hanna received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 2001 and is a CFA Charter holder. The board of directors believes Mr. Hanna’s experience in finance will bring value to the Company.

Penn Virginia also announced today its adoption of amended and restated bylaws to require the approval of at least two-thirds of the directors then on its board of directors for certain significant transactions, including a sale of substantially all assets of the Company, an increase in the authorized capital of the company or the issuance of preferred stock.

About Penn Virginia Corporation

Penn Virginia Corporation is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, NGLs and natural gas in various domestic onshore regions of the United States, with a primary focus in the Eagle Ford Shale in south Texas. For more information, please visit our website at www.pennvirginia.com.


Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We use words such as “will,” “pursue,” “expect,” “prove,” “believes,” “future,” and variations of such words or similar expressions in this press release to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements include assumptions, risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our press releases and public filings with the SEC. Many of the factors that will determine our future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. The statements in this release speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Contact

Steve Hartman

Chief Financial Officer

Ph: (713) 722-6529

E-Mail: invest@pennvirginia.com