UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 16, 2019

 

 

CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

000-13396

(Commission

File Number)

  

25-1450605

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1 South Second Street

PO Box 42

Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (814) 765-9621

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

Emerging growth company  ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

As described below in Item 5.07 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on April 16, 2019, at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), the shareholders of CNB Corporation (the “Corporation”) approved the CNB Financial Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), which will replace the CNB Financial Corporation 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Stock Incentive Plan”). The Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the 2019 Plan on February 12, 2019, subject to and effective upon approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. The 2019 Plan became effective upon receipt of the requisite shareholder approval on April 16, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

Term . Unless terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Plan or extended with shareholder approval, the 2019 Plan terminates automatically on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, April 15, 2029.

Types of Awards . The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, deferred stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, other equity-based awards and cash bonus awards.

Eligibility . All of our employees and the employees of our “subsidiaries” and “affiliates” (as defined in the 2019 Plan) are eligible to receive awards under the 2019 Plan. In addition, our non-employee directors and consultants and advisors who perform services for us and our subsidiaries and affiliates may receive awards under the 2019 Plan, other than incentive stock options.

Shares Reserved for Issuance . The maximum number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock that may be issued under the 2019 Plan will be the sum of (i) 300,000 shares of our common stock, plus (ii) the number of shares of our common stock available for future awards under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan as of the Effective Date (as of the Effective Date, there were 106,919 shares available for future awards), plus (iii) the number of shares of our common stock related to awards outstanding under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan as of the Effective Date that thereafter terminate by expiration or forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares of our common stock (as of the Effective Date, the number of shares related to awards outstanding under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan consisted of 96,058). The maximum number of shares of our common stock available for issuance pursuant to incentive stock options granted under the 2019 Plan will be the same as the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan.

A description of the material terms of the 2019 Plan is set forth in Proposal 5 contained in the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 13, 2019. The above description of the certain terms of the 2019 Plan is qualified in all respects by the full text of the 2019 Plan, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03.

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

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation

As described below in Item 5.07 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on April 16, 2019, at the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders voted, among other things, to approve an amendment (the “Director Election Charter Amendment”) to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) to specify the voting standard to be used in the election of directors to the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). As a result of the approval of the Director Election Charter Amendment, our Articles of Incorporation will provide that directors are elected by a “majority of votes cast” in an uncontested election and a plurality of votes cast in a contested election. For purposes of the Director Election Charter Amendment, a “majority of votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director.

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders also voted to approve an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of uncertificated shares of any or all classes and series of the Corporation’s shares (the “Uncertificated Shares Charter Amendment”).


The foregoing descriptions of the Director Election Charter Amendment and the Uncertificated Shares Charter Amendment do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Director Election Charter Amendment and the Uncertificated Shares Charter Amendment became effective upon the filing and acceptance of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Department of State on April 17, 2019.

Amendment to Bylaws

As described below in Item 5.07 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, at the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders also voted to approve an amendment to Section 3.03(a) of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) to decrease the percentage of shareholders required to call a special meeting of the shareholders from 50% to 20% (the “Bylaws Amendment”). The Bylaws Amendment became effective automatically upon receipt of the requisite shareholder approval of the Bylaws Amendment at the Annual Meeting on April 16, 2019.

The foregoing description of the Bylaws Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On April 16, 2019, the Corporation held its Annual Meeting at which the Corporation’s shareholders considered the following proposals: (i) to elect three Class 2 directors; (ii) to approve the Director Election Charter Amendment; (iii) to approve the Uncertificated Shares Charter Amendment; (iv) to approve the Bylaws Amendment; (v) to approve the adoption of the 2019 Plan; (vi) to vote on a non-binding advisory resolution on the Corporation’s compensation program for its named executive officers; and (vii) to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. The proposals are described in detail in the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2019. The final results for the votes regarding each proposal are set forth below.

Election of Class 2 Directors

The following persons were duly elected as Class 2 directors:

 

    Richard L.
Greslick, Jr.
  Deborah Dick
Pontzer
  Nicholas N.
Scott

For

  8,991,591   8,882,803   9,229,155

Against

  589,352   694,451   295,895

Abstentions

  260,020   263,709   315,913

Broker Non-Votes

  1,565,445   1,565,445   1,565,445

Director Election Charter Amendment

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders voted to approve the Director Election Charter Amendment, as described above in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
9,671,203   114,606   55,151   1,565,448


Uncertificated Shares Amendment

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders voted to approve the Uncertificated Shares Amendment, as described above in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
9,540,270   229,259   71,430   1,565,449

Bylaws Amendment

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders voted to approve the Bylaws Amendment, as described above in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
9,456,556   291,338   93,067   1,565,447

Vote to Approve the CNB Financial Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders approved the 2019 Plan, as described above in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
9,507,458   212,877   120,356   1,565,447

Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders approved, by non-binding advisory vote, the compensation paid to the Corporation’s named executive offices. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
9,400,582   290,518   149,859   1,565,449

Ratification of Crowe LLP as the Corporation’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

At the Annual Meeting, the Corporation’s shareholders ratified the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. The table below sets forth the voting results for this proposal:

 

Votes For

  Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes

11,066,983

  280,734   58,691   —  

The results reported above are final voting results.


Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

3.1    Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CNB Financial Corporation
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of CNB Financial Corporation
10.1    CNB Financial Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan


SIGNATURE

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

 

    CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Date: April 18, 2019     By:   /s/ Brian W. Wingard
      Brian W. Wingard
      Treasurer

Exhibit 3.1

CNB Financial Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

 

1.

The name of the corporation is: CNB Financial Corporation .

 

2.

The address of the registered office of the corporation in Pennsylvania (which is located in Clearfield County) is:

1 South Second Street

Clearfield, PA 16830

 

3.

The corporation is incorporated under the Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the “BCL”). The term of the corporation shall be perpetual.

 

4.

The aggregate number of shares that the corporation shall have authority to issue is 50,000,000 shares, no par value per share. The Board of Directors shall have the full authority permitted by law to divide the authorized and unissued shares into classes or series, or both, and to determine for any such class or series its designation and the number of shares of the class or series and the voting rights, preferences, limitations and special rights, if any, of the shares of the class or series.

 

5.

The shareholders shall not have preemptive rights or the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

 

6.

The corporation shall have unlimited power to engage in and to do any lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under the BCL.

 

7.

If the Board of Directors is classified by the Bylaws, the number of directors of each class shall be determined by the Board of Directors and need not be equal.

 

8.

In order to effect the merger or consolidation of this corporation into another corporation which is not a wholly owned subsidiary of this corporation, the affirmative vote of 66% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote shall be required.

 

9.

The shareholders have reserved the right to amend the Bylaws to themselves by affirmative vote of the shares voting.

 

10.

In elections for directors, if a quorum is present, directors shall be elected by a “majority of votes cast” (as defined herein), unless the election is contested, in which case directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. An election shall be contested if, as determined by the Board of Directors, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected. For purposes of this Article 10, a “majority of votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director.

 

11.

The corporation may issue uncertificated shares of any or all classes and series of the corporation’s shares.

Exhibit 3.2

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of CNB Financial Corporation

(a Pennsylvania corporation),

ARTICLE I

Offices and Fiscal Year

Section 1.01.    Registered office .—The registered office of the corporation in Pennsylvania shall be at 1 South Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830, until otherwise established by an amendment of the articles or by the board of directors and a record of the change is filed with the Department of State in the manner provided by law.
Section 1.02.    Other offices .—The corporation may also have offices at such other places within or without Pennsylvania as the board of directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the corporation may require.
Section 1.03.    Fiscal year .—The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31 of each year.

ARTICLE II

Notice—Waivers—Meetings Generally

Section 2.01.    Manner of giving notice .

(a)

   General rule .— Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws, it may be given to the person either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or by telegram (with messenger service specified), telex or TWX (with answerback received) or courier service, charges prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, or by electronic mail or other electronic communication, to the address (or to the telex, TWX or fax number or the electronic mail address) of the person appearing on the books of the corporation or, in the case of directors, supplied by the director to the corporation for the purpose of notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person entitled to notice under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws may direct the corporation not to send notices by electronic mail or other electronic communications provided that such direction shall not be effective until such person has submitted it in writing to the secretary of the corporation to be filed with the corporate records. If the notice is sent by mail, telegraph or courier service, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States mail or with a telegraph office or courier service for delivery to that person or, in the case of telex or TWX, when dispatched or, in the case of fax, when received. If the notice is sent by electronic mail or other electronic communication (and the intended recipient has not effectively directed the corporation not to send notices by such means as provided in this paragraph), it shall be deemed to have been given when it has been addressed properly and enters an information processing system outside the control of the sender or a region of an information processing system in the control of the intended recipient. A notice of meeting shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and any other information required by any other provision of the Business Corporation Law, the articles or these bylaws.

(b)

   Adjourned shareholder meetings .—When a meeting of shareholders is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting or the Business Corporation Law requires notice of the business to be transacted and that notice has not previously been given.


Section 2.02.    Notice of meetings of board of directors .—Notice of a regular meeting of the board of directors need not be given. Notice of every special meeting of the board of directors shall be given to each director by telephone or in writing at least 24 hours (in the case of notice by telephone, telex, TWX, fax or electronic mail or other electronic communication) or 48 hours (in the case of notice by telegraph, courier service or express mail) or five days (in the case of notice by first class mail) before the time at which the meeting is to be held. Every such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the board need be specified in a notice of the meeting.
Section 2.03.    Notice of meetings of shareholders .

(a)

   General rule .—Written notice of every meeting of the shareholders shall be given by, or at the direction of, the secretary to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting at least:
  

(1)   ten days prior to the day named for a meeting called to consider a fundamental change under 15 Pa.C.S. Chapter 19; or

  

(2)   five days prior to the day named for the meeting in any other case.

   If the secretary neglects or refuses to give notice of a meeting, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.

(b)

   Contents.—In the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the notice shall specify the general nature of the business to be transacted.

(c)

   Notice of action by shareholders on bylaws.—In the case of a meeting of shareholders that has as one of its purposes action on the bylaws, written notice shall be given to each shareholder that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the adoption, amendment or repeal of the bylaws. There shall be included in, or enclosed with, the notice a copy of the proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected thereby.
Section 2.04.    Waiver of notice .

(a)

   Written waiver.—Whenever any written notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law, the articles or these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of the notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, a meeting need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting.

(b)

   Waiver by attendance .—Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 2.05.    Modification of proposal contained in notice .—Whenever the language of a proposed resolution is included in a written notice of a meeting required to be given under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or the articles or these bylaws, the meeting considering the resolution may without further notice adopt it with such clarifying or other amendments as do not enlarge its original purpose.

 

2


Section 2.06.    Exception to requirement of notice .

(a)

   General rule .—Whenever any notice or communication is required to be given to any person under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws or by the terms of any agreement or other instrument or as a condition precedent to taking any corporate action and communication with that person is then unlawful, the giving of the notice or communication to that person shall not be required.

(b)

   Shareholders without forwarding addresses .—Notice or other communications shall not be sent to any shareholder with whom the corporation has been unable to communicate for more than 24 consecutive months because communications to the shareholder are returned unclaimed or the shareholder has otherwise failed to provide the corporation with a current address. Whenever the shareholder provides the corporation with a current address, the corporation shall commence sending notices and other communications to the shareholder in the same manner as to other shareholders.
Section 2.07.    Use of conference telephone, video conference, webcast and similar equipment .—One or more persons may participate in a meeting of the board of directors or the shareholders of the corporation by means of conference telephone, video conference, webcast or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE III

 

Shareholders

Section 3.01.    Place and notice of meetings .—All meetings of the shareholders of the corporation shall be held at the registered office of the corporation unless another place is designated by the board of directors in the notice of the meeting. Shareholder meetings shall only be upon at least twenty-one (21) days prior written notice.
Section 3.02.    Annual meeting .—The board of directors may fix the date and time of the annual meeting of the shareholders, but if no such date and time is fixed by the board, the meeting for any calendar year shall be held on the third Tuesday in April in such year, if not a legal holiday under the laws of Pennsylvania, and, if a legal holiday, then on the next succeeding business day, not a Saturday, at 2:00 o’clock P.M. At such meeting the shareholders then entitled to vote shall elect directors and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the annual meeting shall not have been called and held within six months after the designated time, any shareholder may call the meeting at any time thereafter.
Section 3.03.    Special meetings .

(a)

   Call of special meetings .—Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time:
  

(1)   by the president of the corporation or by order of the board of directors; or

  

(2)   upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast at least 20% of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting.

(b)

   Fixing of time for meeting .—At any time, upon written request of any person who has called a special meeting, it shall be the duty of the secretary to fix the time of the meeting which shall be held not more than 60 days after the receipt of the request. If the secretary neglects or refuses to fix the time of the meeting, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so.

 

3


Section 3.04.    Quorum and adjournment .

(a)

   General rule .—A meeting of shareholders of the corporation duly called shall not be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. The presence of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast on a particular matter to be acted upon at the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of consideration and action on the matter. Shares of the corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by it and controlled, directly or indirectly, by the board of directors of this corporation, as such, shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares for quorum purposes at any given time.

(b)

   Withdrawal of a quorum .—The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

(c)

   Adjournment for lack of quorum .—If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended, those present may, except as provided in the Business Corporation law, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine.

(d)

   Adjournments generally .—Any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall be adjourned only from day to day, or for such longer periods not exceeding 15 days each as the shareholders present and entitled to vote shall direct, until the directors have been elected. Any other regular or special meeting may be adjourned for such period as the shareholders present and entitled to vote shall direct.

(e)

   Electing directors at adjourned meeting .—Those shareholders entitled to vote who attend a meeting called for the election of directors that has been previously adjourned for lack of a quorum, although less than a quorum as fixed in this section, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing directors.

(f)

   Other action in absence of quorum .—Those shareholders entitled to vote who attend a meeting of shareholders that has been previously adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of an absence of a quorum, although less than a quorum as fixed in this section, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in the notice of the meeting if the notice states that those shareholders who attend the adjourned meeting shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon the matter.
Section 3.05.    Action by shareholders .—Except as otherwise provided in the Business Corporation Law or the articles or these bylaws, whenever any corporate action is to be taken by vote of the shareholders of the corporation, it shall be authorized upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon and, if any shareholders are entitled to vote thereon as a class, upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote as a class.

 

4


Section 3.06.    Organization of meetings .—At every meeting of the shareholders, the chairperson of the board, if there be one, or, in the case of a vacancy in office or absence of the chairperson of the board, one of the following officers present in the order stated: the vice chairperson of the board, if there be one, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or a person chosen by majority vote of the shareholders present, shall act as chairperson of the meeting. The secretary or, in the absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of the secretary and assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as secretary.
Section 3.07.    Voting rights of shareholders .—Unless otherwise provided in the articles, every shareholder of the corporation shall be entitled to one vote for every share standing in the name of the shareholder on the books of the corporation.
Section 3.08.    Voting and other action by proxy .

(a)

   General rule .—
  

(1)   Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person to act for the shareholder by proxy.

  

(2)   The presence of, or vote or other action at a meeting of shareholders, or the expression of consent or dissent to corporate action in writing, by a proxy of a shareholder shall constitute the presence of, or vote or action by, or written consent or dissent of the shareholder.

  

(3)   Where two or more proxies of a shareholder are present, the corporation shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in the proxy, accept as the vote of all shares represented thereby the vote cast by a majority of them and, if a majority of the proxies cannot agree whether the shares represented shall be voted or upon the manner of voting the shares, the voting of the shares shall be divided equally among those persons.

(b)

   Execution and filing .—Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or by the duly authorized attorney-in-fact of the shareholder and filed with the secretary of the corporation. A telegram, telex, cablegram, datagram or similar transmission from a shareholder or attorney-in-fact, or a photographic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by a shareholder or attorney-in-fact:
  

(1)   may be treated as properly executed for purposes of this subsection; and

  

(2)   shall be so treated if it sets forth a confidential and unique identification number or other mark furnished by the corporation to the shareholder for the purposes of a particular meeting or transaction.

(c)

   Revocation . A proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at will, notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary, but the revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until written notice thereof has been given to the secretary of the corporation. An unrevoked proxy shall not be valid after three years from the date of its execution unless a longer time is expressly provided therein. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written notice of the death or incapacity is given to the secretary of the corporation.

 

5


(d)

   Expenses .—Unless otherwise restricted in the articles, the corporation shall pay the reasonable expenses of solicitation of votes, proxies or consents of shareholders by or on behalf of the board of directors or its nominees for election to the board, including solicitation by professional proxy solicitors and otherwise.
Section 3.09.    Voting by fiduciaries and pledgees .—Shares of the corporation standing in the name of a trustee or other fiduciary and shares held by an assignee for the benefit of creditors or by a receiver may be voted by the trustee, fiduciary, assignee or receiver. A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote the shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, or a nominee of the pledgee, but nothing in this section shall affect the validity of a proxy given to a pledgee or nominee.
Section 3.10.    Voting by joint holders of shares .

(a)

   General rule .—Where shares of the corporation are held jointly or as tenants in common by two or more persons, as fiduciaries or otherwise:
  

(1)   if only one or more of such persons is present in person or by proxy, all of the shares standing in the names of such persons shall be deemed to be represented for the purpose of determining a quorum and the corporation shall accept as the vote of all the shares the vote cast by a joint owner or a majority of them; and

  

(2)   if the persons are equally divided upon whether the shares held by them shall be voted or upon the manner of voting the shares, the voting of the shares shall be divided equally among the persons without prejudice to the rights of the joint owners or the beneficial owners thereof among themselves.

(b)

   Exception .—If there has been filed with the secretary of the corporation a copy, certified by an attorney at law to be correct, of the relevant portions of the agreement under which the shares are held or the instrument by which the trust or estate was created or the order of court appointing them or of an order of court directing the voting of the shares, the persons specified as having such voting power in the document latest in date of operative effect so filed, and only those persons, shall be entitled to vote the shares but only in accordance therewith.
Section 3.11.    Voting by corporations .

(a)

   Voting by corporate shareholders .—Any corporation that is a shareholder of this corporation may vote by any of its officers or agents, or by proxy appointed by any officer or agent, unless some other person, by resolution of the board of directors of the other corporation or a provision of its articles or bylaws, a copy of which resolution or provision certified to be correct by one of its officers has been filed with the secretary of this corporation, is appointed its general or special proxy in which case that person shall be entitled to vote the shares.

(b)

   Controlled shares .—Shares of this corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by it and controlled, directly or indirectly, by the board of directors of this corporation, as such, shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares for voting purposes at any given time.

 

6


Section 3.12.    Determination of shareholders of record .

(a)

   Fixing record date .—The board of directors may fix a date prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the meeting, which date, except in the case of an adjourned meeting, shall be not more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting of shareholders. Only shareholders of record on the date fixed shall be so entitled notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the corporation after any record date fixed as provided in this subsection. The board of directors may similarly fix a record date for the determination of shareholders of record for any other purpose. When a determination of shareholders of record has been made as provided in this section for purposes of a meeting, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b)

   Determination when a record date is not fixed .—If a record date is not fixed:
  

(1)   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 next 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.

  

(2)   The record date for determining shareholders entitled to:

  

(i) express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when prior action by the board of directors is not necessary;

  

(ii)  call a special meeting of the shareholders; or

  

(iii)  propose an amendment of the articles;

  

shall be at the close of business on the day on which the first written consent or dissent, request for a special meeting or petition proposing an amendment of the articles is filed with the secretary of the corporation.

  

(3)   The record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 3.13.    Voting lists .

(a)

   General rule .—The officer or agent having charge of the transfer books for shares of the corporation shall make a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number of shares held by each. The list shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting for the purposes thereof.

(b)

   Effect of list .—Failure to comply with the requirements of this section shall not affect the validity of any action taken at a meeting prior to a demand at the meeting by any shareholder entitled to vote thereat to examine the list. The original share register or transfer book, or a duplicate thereof kept in Pennsylvania, shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list or share register or transfer book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

 

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Section 3.14.    Judges of election .

(a)

   Appointment .—In advance of any meeting of shareholders of the corporation, the board of directors may appoint judges of election, who need not be shareholders, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If judges of election are not so appointed, the presiding officer of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder shall, appoint judges of election at the meeting. The number of judges shall be one or three. A person who is a candidate for office to be filled at the meeting shall not act as a judge.

(b)

   Vacancies .—In case any person appointed as a judge fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the board of directors in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the presiding officer thereof.

(c)

   Duties .—The judges of election shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, receive votes or ballots, hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, determine the result and do such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. The judges of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are three judges of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority shall be effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all.

(d)

   Report.—On request of the presiding officer of the meeting, or of any shareholder, the judges shall make a report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them, and execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
Section 3.15.    Consent of shareholders in lieu of meeting .

(a)

   Unanimous written consent .—Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders or of a class of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the action, a consent or consents thereto by all of the shareholders who would be entitled to vote at a meeting for such purpose shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation. Such consents can be given in electronic or tangible form and be maintained by the secretary in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form or in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

(b)

   Partial written consent .—Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders or of a class of shareholders may be taken without a meeting upon the written consent of shareholders who would have been entitled to cast the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voting. The consents shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation. Such consents can be given in electronic or tangible form and be maintained by the secretary in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form or in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. The action shall not become effective until after at least ten days’ written notice of the action has been given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereon who has not consented thereto.
Section 3.16.    Minors as security holders .—The corporation may treat a minor who holds shares or obligations of the corporation as having capacity to receive and to empower others to receive dividends, interest, principal and other payments or distributions, to vote or express consent or dissent and to make elections and exercise rights relating to such shares or obligations unless, in the case of payments or distributions on shares, the corporate officer responsible for maintaining the list of shareholders or the transfer agent of the corporation or, in the case of payments or distributions on obligations, the treasurer or paying officer or agent has received written notice that the holder is a minor.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Board of Directors

Section 4.01.    Powers; personal liability .

(a)

   General rule .—Unless otherwise provided by statute, all powers vested by law in the corporation 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, including the power to elect or appoint all officers, to employ agents, clerks and workpersons, to fix their compensation, to prescribe their duties, and to dismiss any officers or agents without previous notice.

(b)

   Personal liability of directors .— A director of the corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have no personal liability for monetary damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, provided that this Section 4.01(b) shall not eliminate the liability of a director in any case where such elimination is not permitted by law.

(c)

   Notation of dissent .—A director who is present at a meeting of the board of directors, or of a committee of the board, at which action on any corporate matter is taken on which the director is generally competent to act, shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless the director files a written dissent to the action with the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or transmits the dissent in writing to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. The right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of the action. Nothing in this section shall bar a director from asserting that minutes of the meeting incorrectly omitted his or her dissent if, promptly upon receipt of a copy of such minutes, the director notifies the secretary, in writing, of the asserted omission or inaccuracy.
Section 4.02.    Qualifications and selection of directors .

(a)

   Qualifications .—Each director of the corporation shall be a natural person of full age who need not be a resident of Pennsylvania. Each director upon first being appointed or elected to the Board shall own the lesser of 1,000 unencumbered shares of common stock of the Corporation or the number of shares equivalent to $15,000 of market value as of the date of appointment or election. On or before the third anniversary of the director’s first election to the Board, each director shall own at least the lesser of 2,500 unencumbered shares of common stock of the Corporation or the number of shares equivalent to $25,000 of market value. A director shall be qualified if the director meets either or both of the foregoing criteria. No incumbent director shall be proposed for nomination to the board of directors without approval of at least 25% of the board of directors, and no person not then a director shall be proposed for nomination to the board of directors without approval of at least two-thirds of the board of directors.

 

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(b)

   Election of directors .—Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, directors of the corporation shall be elected by the shareholders. If at any meeting of shareholders, directors of more than one class are to be elected, each class of directors shall be elected in a separate election. In elections for directors, voting shall be by ballot and, if a quorum is present, directors shall be elected by a “majority of votes cast” (as defined herein), unless the election is contested, in which case directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. An election shall be contested if, as determined by the board of directors, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected. For the purposes of this Section 4.02(b), a “majority of votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director. Any incumbent director who is nominated for election and fails to receive the required vote for reelection shall promptly deliver to the board of directors an irrevocable offer to resign from the board of directors. The board of directors will consider such director’s offer to resign, taking into consideration any such factors that the board of directors deems relevant in deciding whether to accept such director’s resignation, including any recommendation of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee. Any director whose offer to resign is under consideration may not participate in any deliberation or vote of the board of directors (or committee thereof) regarding such offer, but may participate in the deliberation or vote of any other business transacted by the board of directors (or committee thereof). Within ninety (90) days after the date of certification of the election results, the board of directors will determine whether to accept or reject such director’s offer to resign. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that no nominee for director receives the vote required pursuant to this Section 4.02(b), any and all directors may participate in the board of directors’ deliberation and vote regarding the directors’ offers to resign.
Section 4.03.    Number and term of office .

(a)

   Number .—The board of directors shall consist of such number of directors, not less than nine (9) nor more than twenty-four (24), as may be determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the board of directors.

(b)

   Classified board .— Directors shall be elected by classes as follows: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3, with the numbers in each class to be no less than three (3) directors nor more than eight (8) directors. The exact number of each class shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of a majority of the board of directors.

(c)

   Term of office .—Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he or she was selected and until a successor has been selected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Each director shall retire from service to the Board by tendering his or her resignation on or before attaining the age of 70. A decrease in the number of directors shall not have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

(d)

   Resignation .—Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. The resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof by the corporation or at such subsequent time as shall be specified in the notice of resignation.

Section 4.04.

   Vacancies .

(a)

   General rule .—Vacancies in the board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each person so selected shall be a director to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders, at which time he or she shall stand separately for election to serve out the term to which he or she has been appointed.

 

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(b)

   Action by resigned directors .—When one or more directors resign from the board effective at a future date, the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power by the applicable vote to fill the vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when the resignations become effective.
Section 4.05.    Removal of directors .

(a)

   Removal by the board .—The board of directors may declare vacant the office of a director who has been judicially declared of unsound mind or who has been convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year or if, within 60 days after notice of his or her selection, the director does not accept the office either in writing or by attending a meeting of the board of directors. In addition, a director may be removed upon a two-third majority of the Board of Directors for conduct or circumstances detrimental to the best interests of the Corporation
Section 4.06.    Place of meetings .— Meetings of the board of directors may be held at such place within or without Pennsylvania as the board of directors may from time to time appoint or as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 4.07.    Organization of meetings .— At every meeting of the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, if there be one, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairperson of the board, one of the following officers present in the order stated: the vice chairperson of the board, if there be one, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or a person chosen by majority vote of the directors present, shall act as chairperson of the meeting. The secretary or, in the absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of the secretary and assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as secretary.
Section 4.08.    Regular meetings .—Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the board of directors.
Section 4.09.    Special meetings .—Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held whenever called by the chairperson or by two or more of the directors.
Section 4.10.    Quorum of and action by directors .

(a)

   General rule .—A majority of the directors in office of the corporation shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, the acts of a majority of the directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the board of directors.

(b)

   Action by written consent .—Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the directors may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the action, a consent or consents thereto by all of the directors in office is filed with the secretary of the corporation. Such consents can be given in electronic or tangible form and be maintained by the secretary in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form or in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

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Section 4.11.    Committees .

(a)

   Establishment and powers .—The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors in office, establish one or more committees to consist of one or more directors of the corporation. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the board of directors except that a committee shall not have any power or authority as to the following:
  

(1)   The submission to shareholders of any action requiring approval of shareholders under the Business Corporation Law.

  

(2)   The creation or filling of vacancies in the board of directors.

  

(3)   The adoption, amendment or repeal of these bylaws.

  

(4)   The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board that by its terms is amendable or repealable only by the board.

  

(5)   Action on matters committed by a resolution of the board of directors to another committee of the board.

(b)

   Term .—Each committee of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

(c)

   Committee procedures .—The term “board of directors” or “board,” when used in any provision of these bylaws relating to the organization or procedures of or the manner of taking action by the board of directors, shall be construed to include and refer to any executive or other committee of the board.
Section 4.12.    Compensation .—The board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors for their services as directors; a salaried person of the corporation may be a director but shall not receive director’s fees except at the discretion of the board of directors.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 5.01.    Officers generally .

(a)

   Number, qualifications and designation .—The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03. Officers may but need not be directors or shareholders of the corporation. The president and secretary shall be natural persons of full age. The treasurer may be a corporation, but if a natural person shall be of full age. The board of directors may elect from among the members of the board a chairperson of the board and a vice chairperson of the board who shall be officers of the corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except the office of president.

(b)

   Resignations .—Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. The resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof by the corporation or at such subsequent time as may be specified in the notice of resignation.

(c)

   Bonding .—The corporation may secure the fidelity of any or all of its officers by bond or otherwise.
Section 5.02.    Election and term of office .—The officers of the corporation, except those elected by delegated authority pursuant to Section 5.03, shall be elected annually by the board of directors, and each such officer shall hold office at the discretion of the board of directors.

 

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Section 5.03.    Subordinate officers, committees and agents .—The board of directors may from time to time elect one or more vice presidents and such other officers, employees or other agents as the business of the corporation may require, including one or more assistant secretaries, and one or more assistant treasurers, each of whom 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. The board of directors may delegate to any officer or committee the power to appoint subordinate officers and to retain or appoint employees or other agents, or committees thereof and to prescribe the authority and duties of such subordinate officers, committees, employees or other agents.
Section 5.04.    Removal of officers and agents .—Any officer or agent of the corporation may be removed by the board of directors with or without cause. The removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of any person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 5.05.    Vacancies .—A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause, shall be filled by the board of directors or by the officer or committee to which the power to fill such office has been delegated pursuant to Section 5.03, as the case may be, and if the office is one for which these bylaws prescribe a term, shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5.06.    Authority .—All officers of the corporation, as between themselves and the corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the corporation as may be provided by or pursuant to resolutions or orders of the board of directors or, in the absence of controlling provisions in the resolutions or orders of the board of directors, as may be determined by or pursuant to these bylaws.
Section 5.07.    The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board .—The chairperson of the board or in the absence of the chairperson, the vice chairperson of the board, shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the board of directors and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be requested by the board of directors. The chairperson shall appoint committee chairs and committee members subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 5.08.    The president .—The president may be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have general supervision over the business and operations of the corporation, subject, however, to the control of the board of directors. The president shall sign, execute and acknowledge, in the name of the corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the board of directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors, or by these bylaws, to some other officer or agent of the corporation; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the board of directors.
Section 5.09.    The secretary .—The secretary or an assistant secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders and of the board of directors and shall record all the votes of the shareholders and of the directors and the minutes of the meetings of the shareholders and of the board of directors and of committees of the board in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; shall see that notices are given and records and reports properly kept and filed by the corporation as required by law; shall be the custodian of the seal of the corporation and see that it is affixed to all documents to be executed on behalf of the corporation under its seal; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of secretary, and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors or the president.

 

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Section 5.10.    The treasurer .—The treasurer or an assistant treasurer shall have or provide for the custody of the funds or other property of the corporation; shall collect and receive or provide for the collection and receipt of moneys earned by or in any manner due to or received by the corporation; shall deposit all funds in his or her custody as treasurer in such banks or other places of deposit as the board of directors may from time to time designate; shall, whenever so required by the board of directors, render an account showing all transactions as treasurer and the financial condition of the corporation; and, in general, shall discharge such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors or the president.
Section 5.11.    Compensation .—The compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors or by such committee of the board as may be designated by resolution of the board. The compensation of employees and other agents shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors or by the officer or committee to which the power to retain or appoint such employees or other agents has been delegated pursuant to Section 5.03. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary or other compensation by reason of the fact that the officer is also a director of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Share Certificates, Transfer, Etc.

Section 6.01.

   Share certificates .—Certificates for shares of the corporation shall be in such form as approved by the board of directors, and shall state that the corporation is incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, the name of the person to whom issued, and the number and class of shares and the designation of the series (if any) that the certificate represents. The share register or transfer books and blank share certificates shall be kept by the secretary or by any transfer agent or registrar designated by the board of directors for that purpose.

Section 6.02.

   Issuance .—The share certificates of the corporation shall be numbered and registered in the share register or transfer books of the corporation as they are issued. They shall be signed by the president or a vice president and by the secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, and shall bear the corporate seal, which may be a facsimile, engraved or printed; but where a certificate is signed by a transfer agent or a registrar, the signature of any corporate officer upon the certificate may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, any share certificate shall have ceased to be such officer because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if the officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its issue. The provisions of this Section shall be subject to any inconsistent or contrary agreement at the time between the corporation and any transfer agent or registrar.

Section 6.03.

   Transfer .—Transfers of shares shall be made on the share register or transfer books of the corporation upon surrender of the certificate therefor, endorsed by the person named in the certificate or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. No transfer shall be made inconsistent with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, 13 Pa.C.S. §§ 8101 et seq., or other provisions of law.

Section 6.04.

   Record holder of shares .—The corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share or shares of the corporation stand on the books of the corporation as the absolute owner thereof, 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.

 

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Section 6.05.

   Lost, destroyed or mutilated certificates.—The holder of any shares of the corporation shall immediately notify the corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the board of directors may, in its discretion, cause a new certificate or certificates to be issued to the holder, in case of mutilation of the certificate, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate or, in case of loss or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction and, if the board of directors shall so determine, the deposit of a bond in such form and in such sum, and with such surety or sureties, as it may direct.

ARTICLE VII

Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Other Authorized Representatives

Section 7.01.

   Scope of indemnification .

(a)

   General rule .—The corporation shall indemnify an indemnified representative against any liability incurred in connection with any proceeding in which the indemnified representative may be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving in an indemnified capacity, including, without limitation, liabilities resulting from any actual or alleged breach or neglect of duty, error, misstatement or misleading statement, negligence, gross negligence or act giving rise to strict or products liability, except:
  

(1)   where the indemnification is expressly prohibited by applicable law;

  

(2)   where the conduct of the indemnified representative has been finally determined pursuant to Section 7.06 or otherwise:

  

(i) to constitute willful misconduct or recklessness within the meaning of 15 Pa.C.S. § 1746(b) or any superseding provision of law sufficient in the circumstances to bar indemnification against liabilities arising from the conduct; or

  

(ii)  to be based upon or attributable to the receipt by the indemnified representative from the corporation of a personal benefit to which the indemnified representative is not legally entitled; or

  

(3)   to the extent the indemnification has been finally determined in a final adjudication pursuant to Section 7.06 to be otherwise unlawful.

(b)

   Partial payment .—If an indemnified representative is entitled to indemnification in respect of a portion, but not all, of any liabilities to which such person may be subject, the corporation shall indemnify the indemnified representative to the maximum extent for such portion of the liabilities.

(c)

   Presumption .—The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the indemnified representative is not entitled to indemnification.

(d)

   Definitions .—For purposes of this Article:
  

(1)   “indemnified capacity” means any and all past, present and future service by an indemnified representative in one or more capacities as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise;

 

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(2)   “indemnified representative” means any and all directors and officers of the corporation and any other person designated as an indemnified representative by the board of directors of the corporation (which may, but need not, include any person serving at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise);

  

(3)   “liability” means any damage, judgment, amount paid in settlement, fine, penalty, punitive damages, excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or cost or expense, of any nature (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements); and

  

(4)   “proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, appeal or other proceeding of any nature, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, and whether brought by or in the right of the corporation, a class of its security holders or otherwise.

Section 7.02.    Proceedings initiated by indemnified representatives .—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the corporation shall not indemnify under this Article an indemnified representative for any liability incurred in a proceeding initiated (which shall not be deemed to include counter-claims or affirmative defenses) or participated in as an intervenor or amicus curiae by the person seeking indemnification unless the initiation of or participation in the proceeding is authorized, either before or after its commencement, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office. This section shall not apply to reimbursement of expenses incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending an arbitration under Section 7.06 or otherwise successfully prosecuting or defending the rights of an indemnified representative granted by or pursuant to this Article.
Section 7.03.    Advancing expenses .—The corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred in good faith by an indemnified representative in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding described in Section 7.01 or the initiation of or participation in which is authorized pursuant to Section 7.02 upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified representative to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined pursuant to Section 7.06 that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation pursuant to this Article. The financial ability of an indemnified representative to repay an advance shall not be a prerequisite to the making of the advance.
Section 7.04.    Securing of indemnification obligations .—To further effect, satisfy or secure the indemnification obligations provided herein or otherwise, the corporation may maintain insurance, obtain a letter of credit, act as self-insurer, create a reserve, trust, escrow, cash collateral or other fund or account, enter into indemnification agreements, pledge or grant a security interest in any assets or properties of the corporation, or use any other mechanism or arrangement whatsoever in such amounts, at such costs, and upon such other terms and conditions as the board of directors shall deem appropriate. Absent fraud, the determination of the board of directors with respect to such amounts, costs, terms and conditions shall be conclusive against all security holders, officers and directors and shall not be subject to voidability.
Section 7.05.    Payment of indemnification .—An indemnified representative shall be entitled to indemnification within 30 days after a written request for indemnification has been delivered to the secretary of the corporation.

 

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Section 7.06.    Arbitration .

(a)

   General rule .—Any dispute related to the right to indemnification, contribution or advancement of expenses as provided under this Article, except with respect to indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 that the corporation has undertaken to submit to a court for adjudication, shall be decided only by arbitration in the metropolitan area in which the principal executive offices of the corporation are located at the time, in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, before a panel of three arbitrators, one of whom shall be selected by the corporation, the second of whom shall be selected by the indemnified representative and the third of whom shall be selected by the other two arbitrators. In the absence of the American Arbitration Association, or if for any reason arbitration under the arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association cannot be initiated, or if one of the parties fails or refuses to select an arbitrator or if the arbitrators selected by the corporation and the indemnified representative cannot agree on the selection of the third arbitrator within 30 days after such time as the corporation and the indemnified representative have each been notified of the selection of the other’s arbitrator, the necessary arbitrators shall be selected by a judge of the court of general jurisdiction in the county of the corporation’s registered office.

(b)

   Burden of proof .—The party or parties challenging the right of an indemnified representative to the benefits of this Article shall have the burden of proof.

(c)

   Expenses .—The corporation shall reimburse an indemnified representative for the expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending such arbitration.

(d)

   Effect .—Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by any party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction, except that the corporation shall be entitled to interpose as a defense in any such judicial enforcement proceeding any prior final judicial determination adverse to the indemnified representative under Section 7.01(a)(2) in a proceeding not directly involving indemnification under this Article. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable.
Section 7.07.    Contribution .—If the indemnification provided for in this Article or otherwise is unavailable for any reason in respect of any liability or portion thereof, the corporation shall contribute to the liabilities to which the indemnified representative may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the intent of this Article or otherwise.
Section 7.08.    Mandatory indemnification of directors, officers, etc .—To the extent that a representative of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding referred to in 15 Pa.C.S. §§ 1741 or 1742 or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Section 7.09.    Contract rights; amendment or repeal .—All rights under this Article shall be deemed a contract between the corporation and the indemnified representative pursuant to which the corporation and each indemnified representative intend to be legally bound. Any repeal, amendment or modification hereof shall be prospective only and shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

 

17


Section 7.10.    Scope of Article .—The rights granted by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification, contribution or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise both as to action in an indemnified capacity and as to action in any other capacity. The indemnification, contribution and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an indemnified representative in respect of matters arising prior to such time, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives of such a person.
Section 7.11.    Reliance on provisions .—Each person who shall act as an indemnified representative of the corporation shall be deemed to be doing so in reliance upon the rights provided by this Article.
Section 7.12.    Insurance .—If authorized by the board of directors, the corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section 7.13.    Interpretation .—The provisions of this Article are intended to constitute bylaws authorized by 15 Pa.C.S. § 1746.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Section 8.01.    Corporate seal .—The corporation shall have a corporate seal in the form of a circle containing the name of the corporation, the year of incorporation and such other details as may be approved by the board of directors.
Section 8.02.    Checks .—All checks, notes, bills of exchange or other orders in writing shall be signed by such person or persons as the board of directors or any person authorized by resolution of the board of directors may from time to time designate.
Section 8.03.    Contracts .

(a)

   General rule .—Except as otherwise provided in the Business Corporation Law in the case of transactions that require action by the shareholders, the board of directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute or deliver any instrument on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

(b)

   Statutory form of execution of instruments .—Any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract or other document, or any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into between the corporation and any other person, when signed by one or more officers or agents having actual or apparent authority to sign it, or by the president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary or treasurer or assistant treasurer of the corporation, shall be held to have been properly executed for and in behalf of the corporation, without prejudice to the rights of the corporation against any person who shall have executed the instrument in excess of his or her actual authority.

 

18


Section 8.04.    Interested directors or officers; quorum .

(a)

   General rule .—A contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors or officers or between the corporation and another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers or have a financial or other interest, shall not be void or voidable solely for that reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board of directors that authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for that purpose, if:
  

(1)   the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors and the board authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum;

  

(2)   the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of those shareholders; or

  

(3)   the contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors or the shareholders.

(b)

   Quorum .—Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board that authorizes a contract or transaction specified in subsection (a).
Section 8.05.    Deposits .—All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the board of directors may approve or designate, and all such funds shall be withdrawn only upon checks signed by such one or more officers or employees as the board of directors shall from time to time determine.
Section 8.06.    Corporate records .

(a)

   Required records .—The corporation shall keep complete and accurate books and records of account, minutes of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and a share register giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each. The share register shall be kept at either the registered office of the corporation in Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated or at the office of its registrar or transfer agent. Any books, minutes or other records may be in written form, electronic form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.

(b)

   Right of inspection .—Every shareholder shall, upon ten days written verified demand stating specifically the purpose thereof, have a right to examine, in person or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours for business and for any proper purpose, the share register, books and records of account, and records of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to the interest of the person as a shareholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right of inspection, the demand shall be accompanied by a verified power of attorney or other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the shareholder. The demand shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated.

 

19


Section 8.07.    Financial reports .—Unless otherwise agreed between the corporation and a shareholder, the corporation shall furnish to its shareholders annual financial statements, including at least a balance sheet as of the end of each fiscal year and a statement of income and expenses for the fiscal year. The financial statements shall be prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), if the corporation prepares financial statements for the fiscal year on that basis for any purpose, or any other reasonable basis, if the corporation does not use GAAP, and may be consolidated statements of the corporation and one or more of its subsidiaries. The financial statements shall be sent by the corporation to each of its shareholders entitled thereto within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year. Statements that are audited, compiled or reviewed by a certified public accountant shall be accompanied by the report of the accountant; in other cases, each copy shall be accompanied by a statement of the person in charge of the financial records of the corporation:
  

(1)   Stating his reasonable belief as to whether or not the financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, if not, describing the basis of presentation.

  

(2)   Describing any material respects in which the financial statements were not prepared on a basis consistent with those prepared for the previous year.

Section 8.08.    Amendment of bylaws .—These bylaws may be amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted, by affirmative vote of the shareholders at any duly organized annual or special meeting of shareholders. Any change in these bylaws shall take effect when adopted unless otherwise provided in the resolution effecting the change. See Section 2.03(c) (relating to notice of action by shareholders on bylaws).
Section 8.09.    Electronic Communications Are Writings .— If the Business Corporation Law, the articles or these bylaws require a writing or a signature, an electronic record (including, without limitation, electronic mail) or electronic signature, respectively, satisfies such requirement.
Section 8.10.    Saving Clause . If any provision of these bylaws conflicts with any rule, regulation or statute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States of America, then these bylaws shall remain in full force and effect and construed as if such provision did not exist.

Adopted April 16, 2019

 

20

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2019 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                   Page  

1.

 

PURPOSE

     1  

2.

 

DEFINITIONS

     1  

3.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

     7  
 

3.1

  

Committee

     7  
     3.1.1    Powers and Authorities      7  
     3.1.2    Composition of the Committee      7  
     3.1.3    Other Committees      7  
     3.1.4    Delegation by the Committee      7  
 

3.2

  

Board

     8  
 

3.3

  

Terms of Awards

     8  
     3.3.1    Committee Authority      8  
     3.3.2    Forfeiture; Recoupment      8  
 

3.4

  

No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval

     9  
 

3.5

  

Deferral Arrangement

     9  
 

3.6

  

No Liability

     9  
 

3.7

  

Registration; Share Certificates

     9  

4.

 

STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     9  
 

4.1

  

Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards

     9  
 

4.2

  

Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock

     10  
 

4.3

  

Share Usage

     10  

5.

 

TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

     10  
 

5.1

  

Term

     10  
 

5.2

  

Amendment, Suspension, and Termination

     11  

6.

 

AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

     11  
 

6.1

  

Eligible Grantees

     11  
 

6.2

  

Annual Limitations

     11  
 

6.3

  

Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards

     11  

7.

 

AWARD AGREEMENT

     12  

8.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

     12  
 

8.1

  

Option Price

     12  
 

8.2

  

Vesting and Exercisability

     12  
 

8.3

  

Term

     12  
 

8.4

  

Termination of Service

     12  
 

8.5

  

Limitations on Exercise of Option

     13  
 

8.6

  

Method of Exercise

     13  
 

8.7

  

Rights of Holders of Options

     13  
 

8.8

  

Delivery of Stock

     13  
 

8.9

  

Transferability of Options

     13  
 

8.10

  

Family Transfers

     13  
 

8.11

  

Limitations on Incentive Stock Options

     13  
 

8.12

  

Notice of Disqualifying Disposition

     14  

9.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     14  
 

9.1

  

Right to Payment and SAR Price

     14  
 

9.2

  

Other Terms

     14  
 

9.3

   Term      14  
 

9.4

  

Rights of Holders of SARs

     14  
 

9.5

  

Transferability of SARs

     14  
 

9.6

  

Family Transfers

     15  

 

i


10.

  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS      15  
 

10.1

   Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units      15  
 

10.2

   Restrictions      15  
 

10.3

   Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates      15  
 

10.4

   Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock      15  
 

10.5

   Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units      16  
    

10.5.1

  

Voting and Dividend Rights

     16  
    

10.5.2

  

Creditor’s Rights

     16  
 

10.6

   Termination of Service      16  
 

10.7

   Purchase of Restricted Stock      16  
 

10.8

   Delivery of Shares of Stock      16  

11.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

     17  
 

11.1

   Unrestricted Stock Awards      17  
 

11.2

   Other Equity-Based Awards      17  

12.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

     17  
 

12.1

   Dividend Equivalent Rights      17  
 

12.2

   Termination of Service      17  

13.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

     18  
 

13.1

   Grant of Performance-Based Awards      18  
 

13.2

   Value of Performance-Based Awards      18  
 

13.3

   Earning of Performance-Based Awards      18  
 

13.4

   Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards      18  
 

13.5

   Performance Conditions      18  

14.

 

FORMS OF PAYMENT

     18  
 

14.1

   General Rule      18  
 

14.2

   Surrender of Shares of Stock      18  
 

14.3

   Cashless Exercise      18  
 

14.4

   Other Forms of Payment      19  

15.

 

REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

     19  
 

15.1

   General      19  
 

15.2

   Rule 16b-3      19  

16.

 

EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

     20  
 

16.1

   Changes in Stock      20  
 

16.2

   Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control      20  
 

16.3

   Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed      21  
 

16.4

   Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed      21  
 

16.5

   Adjustments      22  
 

16.6

   No Limitations on Company      22  

17.

 

PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

     22  

18.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     23  
 

18.1

  

Disclaimer of Rights

     23  
 

18.2

   Nonexclusivity of the Plan      23  
 

18.3

   Withholding Taxes      23  
 

18.4

   Captions      24  
 

18.5

   Construction      24  
 

18.6

   Other Provisions      24  
 

18.7

   Number and Gender      24  
 

18.8

   Severability      24  
 

18.9

   Governing Law      24  
 

18.10

   Section 409A of the Code      24  

 

ii


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2019 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

PURPOSE

The Plan is intended to (a) provide eligible individuals with an incentive to contribute to the success of the Company and to operate and manage the Company’s business in a manner that will provide for the Company’s long-term growth and profitability and that will benefit its stockholders and other important stakeholders, including its employees and customers, and (b) provide a means of recruiting, rewarding, and retaining key personnel. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of Awards of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Other Equity-Based Awards, and cash bonus awards. Any of these Awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward the holders of such Awards for the achievement of performance conditions in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Options granted under the Plan may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, as provided herein.

 

2.

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents, including the Plan and Award Agreements, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

2.1     “ Affiliate ” shall mean any Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary. For purposes of grants of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, an entity may not be considered an Affiliate unless the Company holds a Controlling Interest in such entity. “Controlling Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i); provided that (a) except as specified in clause (b) below, an interest of “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), and (b) where a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights is based upon a legitimate business criterion, an interest of “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i).

2.2     “ Applicable Laws ” shall mean the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any rules or regulations thereunder, and any other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Affiliates, (b) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax, and other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents thereof, and (c) the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

2.3     “ Award ” shall mean a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, an Other Equity-Based Award, or cash.

2.4     “ Award Agreement ” shall mean the written agreement, in such written, electronic, or other form as determined by the Committee, between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award.

2.5     “ Benefit Arrangement ” shall mean any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to a Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Grantee.


2.6     “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7     “ Cause ” shall have the meaning set forth in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, and in the absence of any such agreement, shall mean, with respect to any Grantee and as determined by the Committee, (a) willful commission by the Grantee of a criminal or other act that causes substantial economic damage to the Company or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company; (b) the commission by the Grantee of an act of fraud in the performance of such Grantee’s duties on behalf of the Company; or (c) the continuing failure of the Grantee to perform the duties of such Grantee to the Company (other than such failure resulting from the Grantee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after written notice thereof (specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail) and a reasonable opportunity to be heard and cure such failure are given to the Grantee by the Board or the Committee. For purposes of this Plan, no act or failure to act on the Grantee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Grantee not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Grantee’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any determination by the Committee regarding whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

2.8     “ Capital Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Effective Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all shares of Stock.

2.9     “ Change in Control ” shall mean, subject to Section  18.10 , the occurrence of any of the following:

(a)    Any Person (other than the Company or any Affiliate) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities representing (i) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding securities or (ii) 25% or more, but less than 50%, of the combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding securities if such transaction(s) giving rise to such beneficial ownership are not approved by the Board;

(b)    Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) (together with any new directors whose election by such Incumbent Board or whose nomination by such Incumbent Board for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Incumbent Board then in office who either were members of such Incumbent Board or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board then in office;

(c)    The Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving Person), other than any such transaction in which the holders of securities that represented one hundred percent (100%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation) own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the securities of the surviving Person in such reorganization, merger, or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction;

(d)    The consummation of any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition (other than by way of reorganization, merger, or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person or Group (other than the Company or any Affiliate); or

 

2


(e)    The liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of the Company.

The Board shall have full and final authority, in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, and any incidental matters relating thereto.

2.10     “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto. References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations and guidance promulgated under such Code Section.

2.11     “ Committee ” shall mean a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Section  3.1.2 and Section  3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board).

2.12     “ Company ” shall mean CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, and any successor thereto.

2.13     “ Deferred Stock Unit ” shall mean a Restricted Stock Unit, the terms of which provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof subsequent to the date of vesting, at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

2.14     “ Disability ” shall mean the inability of a Grantee to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantee’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; provided that, with respect to rules regarding the expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of a Grantee’s Service, Disability shall mean the inability of such Grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

2.15     “ Disqualified Individual ” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 280G(c).

2.16     “ Dividend Equivalent Right ” shall mean a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section  12 , entitling the Grantee thereof to receive, or to receive credits for the future payment of, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividend payments or distributions, or other periodic payments, declared or paid with respect to a number of shares of Stock specified in such Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) as if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date.

2.17     “ Effective Date ” shall mean April 16, 2019, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders on such date, the Plan having been approved by the Board on February 12, 2019.

2.18     “ Employee ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, an employee (including an officer) of the Company or an Affiliate.

2.19     “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

2.20     “ Fair Market Value ” shall mean the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be, as of any date of determination:

(a)    If on such date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock as

 

3


reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.

(b)    If on such date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

Notwithstanding this Section  2.20 or Section  18.3 , for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section  18.3 , the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Committee in good faith using any reasonable method as it deems appropriate, to be applied consistently with respect to Grantees; provided, further, that the Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock due in connection with sales, by or on behalf of a Grantee, of such shares of Stock subject to an Award to pay the Option Price, SAR Price, and/or any tax withholding obligation on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement (including broker-assisted cashless exercises of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, as described in Section  14.3 , and sell-to-cover transactions) in any manner consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, including but not limited to using the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date) as the Fair Market Value of such shares, so long as such Grantee has provided the Company, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.

2.21     “ Family Member ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantee as of any date of determination, (a) a Person who is a spouse, former spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of such Grantee, (b) any Person sharing such Grantee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), (c) a trust in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above own more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, (d) a foundation in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (or such Grantee) control the management of assets, and (e) any other entity in which one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (or such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

2.22     “ Grant Date ” shall mean, as determined by the Committee, the latest to occur of (a) the date as of which the Committee approves the Award, (b) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Section  6 hereof, or (c) such subsequent date specified by the Committee in the corporate action approving the Award.

2.23     “ Grantee ” shall mean a Person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.

2.24     “ Incentive Stock Option ” shall mean an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.

2.25     “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.26     “ Non-Employee Director ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

2.27     “ Officer ” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

4


2.28     “ Option ” shall mean an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock at a specified Option Price awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section  8 .

2.29     “ Option Price ” shall mean the per share exercise price for shares of Stock subject to an Option.

2.30     “ Other Agreement ” shall mean any agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by a Grantee with the Company or an Affiliate, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Code Section 280G and/or Code Section 4999.

2.31     “ Other Equity-Based Award ” shall mean an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Stock, other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, or a Dividend Equivalent Right.

2.32     “ Parachute Payment ” shall mean a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2).

2.33     “ Performance-Based Award ” shall mean an Award made subject to the achievement of performance conditions over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.

2.34     “ Performance Period ” shall mean the period of time, up to ten (10) years, during or over which the performance goals under Performance-Based Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance-Based Awards.

2.35     “ Person ” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof; provided that, for purposes of Section  2.9 , Person shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

2.36     “ Plan ” shall mean this CNB Financial Corporation 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.37     “ Prior Plan ” shall mean the CNB Financial Corporation 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

2.38     “ Restricted Period ” shall mean a period of time established by the Committee during which an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is subject to restrictions.

2.39     “ Restricted Stock ” shall mean shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section  10 .

2.40     “ Restricted Stock Unit ” shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section  10 that may be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof.

2.41     “ SAR Price ” shall mean the per share exercise price of a SAR.

2.42     “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

2.43     “ Securities Market ” shall mean an established securities market.

2.44     “ Separation from Service ” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

 

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2.45     “ Service ” shall mean service qualifying a Grantee as a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the preceding sentence, any determination by the Committee whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive. If a Service Provider’s employment or other Service relationship is with an Affiliate and the applicable entity ceases to be an Affiliate, a termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Service Provider transfers his or her employment or other Service relationship to the Company or any other Affiliate.

2.46     “ Service Provider ” shall mean (a) an Employee or director of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) a consultant or adviser to the Company or an Affiliate (i) who is a natural person, (ii) who provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, and (iii) whose services are not in connection with the Company’s offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s Capital Stock.

2.47     “ Service Recipient Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

2.48     “ Share Limit ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4.1 .

2.49     “ Short-Term Deferral Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

2.50     “ Stock ” shall mean common stock, no par value per share, of the Company, or any security into which shares of Stock may be changed or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section  16.1 .

2.51     “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” shall mean a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section  9 .

2.52     “ Stock Exchange ” shall mean the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange, or another established national or regional stock exchange.

2.53     “ Subsidiary ” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) or non-corporate entity with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, membership interests or other ownership interests of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the directors, managers, or other voting members of the governing body of such corporation or non-corporate entity; provided however, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, Subsidiary means any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 424(f). In addition, any other entity may be designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary, provided that (a) such entity could be considered as a subsidiary according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and (b) in the case of an Award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award would be considered to be granted in respect of Service Recipient Stock under Code Section 409A.

2.54     “ Substitute Award ” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in substitution for outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

2.55     “ Ten Percent Stockholder ” shall mean a natural Person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting Capital Stock of the Company, the Company’s parent (if any), or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.

 

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2.56     “ Unrestricted Stock ” shall mean Stock that is free of any restrictions.

 

3.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

  3.1

Committee.

3.1.1    Powers and Authorities. The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and to make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing or evidenced by electronic transmission in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all Persons, whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.

In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section  3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee.

3.1.2    Composition of the Committee. The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two (2) directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan. Each member of the Committee shall be (a) a Non-Employee Director and (b) an independent director in accordance with the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded; provided that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section  3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, if the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board or such subcommittee satisfies the foregoing requirements.

3.1.3     Other Committees. The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not satisfy the requirements for membership set forth in Section  3.1.2 , which (a) may administer the Plan with respect to Grantees who are not Officers or directors of the Company, (b) may grant Awards under the Plan to such Grantees, and (c) may determine all terms of such Awards, in each case, subject, if applicable, to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

3.1.4    Delegation by the Committee. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Committee may, by resolution, delegate some or all of its authority with respect to the Plan and Awards to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and/or any other officer of the Company designated by the Committee, provided that the Committee may not delegate its authority hereunder (a) to make Awards to directors of the Company, (b) to make Awards to Employees who are (i) Officers or (ii) officers of the Company who are delegated authority by the Committee pursuant to this Section  3.1.4 , or (c) to interpret the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Any delegation hereunder will be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or thereafter.

 

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Nothing in the Plan will be construed as obligating the Committee to delegate authority to any officer of the Company, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority delegated to an officer of the Company appointed hereunder and delegate authority to one or more other officers of the Company. At all times, an officer of the Company delegated authority pursuant to this Section  3.1.4 will serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee. Any action undertaken by any such officer of the Company in accordance with the Committee’s delegation of authority will have the same force and effect as if undertaken directly by the Committee, and any reference in the Plan to the “Committee” will, to the extent consistent with the terms and limitations of such delegation, be deemed to include a reference to each such officer.

3.2    Board. The Board, from time to time, may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section  3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.

3.3    Terms of Awards.

3.3.1 Committee Authority. Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:

(a)    designate Grantees;

(b)    determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;

(c)    determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award or to which an Award relates;

(d)    establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price, the SAR Price, and the purchase price for applicable Awards; the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto; the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements); and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options);

(e)    prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award;

(f)    subject to the limitation on repricing in Section  3.4 , amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural Persons who are foreign nationals or are natural Persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification, or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, materially impair such Grantee’s rights under such Award; and

(g)    make Substitute Awards.

3.3.2    Forfeiture; Recoupment.

(a)    The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of, or in conflict with, any (i) employment agreement, (ii) non-competition agreement, (iii) agreement prohibiting solicitation of Employees or clients of the Company or an Affiliate, (iv) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, (v) Company or Affiliate policy or procedure, (vi) other agreement, or (vii) other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. If the Grantee of an outstanding Award is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate and such Grantee’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Committee may annul such Grantee’s outstanding Award as of the date of the Grantee’s termination of Service for Cause.

 

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(b)    Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company (i) to the extent set forth in this Plan or an Award Agreement or (ii) to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (A) any Company or Affiliate “clawback” or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any Applicable Laws, or (B) any Applicable Laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such Applicable Laws.

3.4    No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities, or other property), stock split, extraordinary dividend, recapitalization, Change in Control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock, or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of such outstanding Options or SARs; (b) cancel or assume outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for or substitution of Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel or assume outstanding Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, above the current Fair Market Value in exchange for cash, Awards, or other securities, in each case, unless such action is subject to and approved by the Company’s stockholders.

3.5    Deferral Arrangement. The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Deferred Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV); provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A, including, if applicable, with respect to when a Separation from Service occurs.

3.6    No Liability. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, the Committee, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, or the Committee will be liable to any Grantee or to the estate or beneficiary of any Grantee or to any other holder of an Award under the Plan by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422 or Code Section 409A or by reason of Code Section 4999, or otherwise asserted with respect to the Award; provided, that this Section  3.6 shall not affect any of the rights or obligations set forth in an applicable agreement between the Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate.

3.7    Registration; Share Certificates. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, including by book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or the issuance of one or more share certificates.

 

4.

STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1    Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards. Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section  4.2 , and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section  16 , the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to the sum of (a) three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of Stock, plus (b) the number of shares of Stock available for future awards

 

9


under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date, plus (c) the number of shares of Stock related to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date that thereafter terminate by expiration or forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares of Stock and become available for issuance under the Plan (the “ Share Limit ”). Such shares of Stock may be authorized and unissued shares of Stock, treasury shares of Stock, or any combination of the foregoing, as may be determined from time to time by the Board or by the Committee. Any of the shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and any or all of the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.

4.2    Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock. In connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies, the Committee shall have the right to cause the Company to assume awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of another business entity that is a party to such transaction and/or to grant Substitute Awards under the Plan for such awards. Assumed awards shall not, but Substitute Awards shall, reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, and shares available for issuance under a stockholder-approved plan of a business entity that is a party to such transaction (as appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect such transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

4.3    Share Usage

(a)    Shares of Stock covered by an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section  4.1 .

(b)    Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend reinvestment pursuant to Section  10 , will be counted against the Share Limit as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to the Award. The number of shares of Stock subject to an Award of SARs will be counted against the Share Limit as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to such Award, regardless of the number of shares of Stock actually issued to settle such SARs upon the exercise of the SARs. A number of shares of Stock equal to the maximum number of shares issuable under a Performance-Based Award shall be counted against the Share Limit as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of shares issued upon settlement of the Performance-Based Award to the extent different from such number of shares.

(c)    If any shares of Stock covered by an Award under the Plan or any award outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date are not purchased or are forfeited or expire or otherwise terminate without delivery of any Stock subject thereto or are settled in cash in lieu of shares, then the number of shares of Stock with respect to such Award or award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, expiration, or settlement, again be available for making Awards under the Plan.

(d)    The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan will not be increased by the number of shares of Stock (i) tendered, withheld, or subject to an Award granted under the Plan surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option, (ii) that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of a Stock-settled SAR granted under the Plan, (iii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award granted under the Plan in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as provided in Section  18.3 , or (iv) purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.

 

5.

TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

5.1    Term. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. Following the Effective Date, no awards shall be made under the Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock reserved under the Prior Plan to settle awards which are made under the Prior Plan prior to the Effective Date may be issued and delivered following the Effective Date to settle such awards.

 

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The Plan shall terminate on the first to occur of (a) 11:59pm ET on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, (b) the date determined in accordance with Section  5.2 , and (c) the date determined in accordance with Section  16.3 ; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may not be granted under the Plan more than ten (10) years after the date of the Board’s adoption of the Plan. No Awards may be granted after termination of the Plan, and upon such termination of the Plan, all then-outstanding Awards shall continue to have full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the terminated Plan and the applicable Award Agreement (or other documents evidencing such Awards).

5.2    Amendment, Suspension, and Termination. The Committee may, at any time and from time to time, amend or suspend the Plan; provided that, with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no amendment or suspension of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, materially impair the rights or obligations under any such Award. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be contingent on approval of such amendment by the Company’s stockholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws; provided that no amendment shall be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section  3.4 , the Option pricing provisions of Section  8.1 , or the SAR pricing provisions of Section  9.1 without the approval of the Company’s stockholders. The Board may, at any time, terminate the Plan; provided that, with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, materially impair the rights or obligations under any such Award.

 

6.

AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

6.1    Eligible Grantees. Subject to this Section  6 , Awards may be made under the Plan to any Service Provider, as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time.

6.2    Annual Limitations. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section  16 :

(a)    The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan, pursuant to Options or SARs, in a calendar year to any Person eligible for an Award under Section  6.1 , other than a Non-Employee Director, is one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) shares.

(b)    The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan, pursuant to Awards other than Options or SARs that are Stock-denominated, in a calendar year to any Person eligible for an Award under Section  6.1 , other than a Non-Employee Director, is forty thousand (40,000) shares.

(c)    The maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Awards granted during a single calendar year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the calendar year, shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes); provided, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to the extent that a Non-Employee Director has been or becomes an employee of the Company during the calendar year.

6.3    Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. Subject to Section  3.4 , Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate. Such additional, tandem, exchange, or Substitute Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such exchange or Substitute Award.

 

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In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or an Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section  8.1 and Section  9.1 , but subject to Section  3.4 , the Option Price of an Option or the SAR Price of a SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided that such Option Price or SAR Price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.

 

7.

AWARD AGREEMENT

Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements utilized under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and, in the absence of such specification, such Options shall be deemed to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

8.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

8.1    Option Price. The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided that, in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date.

8.2    Vesting and Exercisability. Subject to Sections 8.3 and 16.3 , each Option granted under the Plan shall become vested and/or exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing; provided that no Option shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

8.3    Term. Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, on the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided that, in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, on the day before the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option; and provided, further, that, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom with respect to any Option granted to a Grantee who is a Service Provider who is employed or providing services outside the United States, such Option may terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder may cease, upon the expiration of a period longer than ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option as the Committee shall determine.

8.4    Termination of Service. Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

 

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8.5    Limitations on Exercise of Option. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section  16 which results in the termination of such Option.

8.6    Method of Exercise. Subject to the terms of Section  14 and Section  18.3 , an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of written notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Company and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised, plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.

8.7    Rights of Holders of Options. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Section  16 , no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.

8.8    Delivery of Stock. Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section  3.7 .

8.9    Transferability of Options. Except as provided in Section  8.10 , during the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. Except as provided in Section  8.10 , no Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

8.10    Family Transfers. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide either in an applicable Award Agreement or by the subsequent approval of the Committee that a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section  8.10 , a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section  8.10 , any such Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section  8.10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The provisions of Section  8.4 relating to termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Grantee of the Option, following which such Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, in Section  8.4 .

8.11    Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement, (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all

 

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other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and (d) to the extent such Option fulfills all other requirements under Code Section 422. Except to the extent provided under Code Section 422, this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

8.12    Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition immediately but in no event later than ten (10) days thereafter.

 

9.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

9.1    Right to Payment and SAR Price. A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise, over (b) the SAR Price as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award, or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted in tandem with all or part of an Option will have the same term, and expire at the same time, as the related Option; provided, further, that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR.

9.2    Other Terms. Subject to Sections 9.3 and 16.3 , the Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements); the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions; the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award; and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR; provided that no SARs shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

9.3    Term. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such SAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR.

9.4    Rights of Holders of SARs. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising a SAR shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, if any, are issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Section  16 , no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock underlying a SAR for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock, if any.

9.5    Transferability of SARs. Except as provided in Section  9.6 , during the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. Except as provided in Section  9.6 , no SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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9.6    Family Transfers. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide either in an applicable Award Agreement or by the subsequent approval of the Committee that a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of a SAR to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section  9.6 , a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section  9.6 , any such SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred SARs shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section  9.6 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

10.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS

10.1    Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units. Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate.

10.2    Restrictions. Subject to Sections 16.3 and 18.10 , at the time a grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the achievement of corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units as provided in Section  13 . Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Awards.

10.3     Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates. Pursuant to Section  3.7 , to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section  3.7 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for such Grantee’s benefit until such time as such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each certificate, or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such certificates shall bear legends that comply with Applicable Laws and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and such Award Agreement.

10.4    Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan, any applicable Company program, and the applicable Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock that (a) any cash dividend payments or distributions paid on Restricted Stock shall be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock or (b) any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock shall

 

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only be made or paid upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares of Restricted Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, cash dividends declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock that vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not become payable unless and until the shares of Restricted Stock to which the dividends apply become vested and nonforfeitable. All stock dividend payments or distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock.

10.5    Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

10.5.1    Voting and Dividend Rights. Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders); provided, however, that the Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units that the holder of such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights in accordance with Section  12.1 .

1 0.5.2    Creditor’s Rights. A holder of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units represent unfunded and unsecured obligations of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.

10.6    Termination of Service. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights, as applicable, with respect to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units.

10.7    Purchase of Restricted Stock. The Grantee of an Award of Restricted Stock shall be required, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, to purchase such Restricted Stock from the Company at a purchase price equal to the greater of (x) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock or (y) the purchase price, if any, specified in the Award Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock. Such purchase price shall be payable in a form provided in Section  14 or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in consideration for Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate.

10.8    Delivery of Shares of Stock. Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, including, without limitation, any performance goals or delayed delivery period, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section  3.7 , be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section  10.8 .

 

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11.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

11.1    Unrestricted Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at the par value of a share of Stock or at such other higher purchase price as shall be determined by the Committee) an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Unrestricted Stock under the Plan. Awards of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of Service rendered or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, in lieu of or in addition to any cash compensation due to such Grantee.

11.2    Other Equity-Based Awards. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section  11.2 may be granted with vesting, value, and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Equity-Based Awards on the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Award, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.

 

12.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

12.1    Dividend Equivalent Rights. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder, provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock or Awards, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may (a) provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award or (b) contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, Dividend Equivalent Rights granted as a component of an Award that vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not become payable unless and until the Award to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights correspond become vested and settled.

12.2    Termination of Service. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon such Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.

 

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13.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

13.1    Grant of Performance-Based Awards. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance-Based Awards in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

13.2    Value of Performance-Based Awards. Each grant of a Performance-Based Award shall have an initial cash value or an actual or target number of shares of Stock that is established by the Committee as of the Grant Date. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the value and/or number of shares of Stock subject to a Performance-Based Award that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.

13.3    Earning of Performance-Based Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of a Performance-Based Award shall be entitled to receive a payout of the value earned under such Performance-Based Award by such Grantee over such Performance Period.

13.4    Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Payment of the value earned under Performance-Based Awards shall be made, as determined by the Committee, in the form, at the time, and in the manner described in the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, (a) may pay the value earned under Performance-Based Awards in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof, including shares of Stock and/or Awards that are subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, and (b) shall pay the value earned under Performance-Based Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals relating thereto have been achieved; provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Performance-Based Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the fifteenth (15 th ) day of the third (3 rd ) month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. The applicable Award Agreement shall specify the circumstances in which Performance-Based Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Service by the Grantee prior to the end of a Performance Period or settlement of such Performance-Based Awards.

13.5    Performance Conditions. The right of a Grantee to exercise or to receive a grant or settlement of any Performance-Based Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such performance goals, business criteria, and other measures of performance, with or without adjustment, as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions.

 

14.

FORMS OF PAYMENT

14.1    General Rule. Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.

14.2    Surrender of Shares of Stock. To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price or purchase price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of such tender or attestation.

14.3    Cashless Exercise. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option and payment of any withholding taxes described in Section  18.3 may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Company in payment of such Option Price and/or any withholding taxes described in Section  18.3 .

 

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14.4    Other Forms of Payment. To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option, for the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, or for any withholding taxes described in Section  18.3 may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, including (a) with respect to the purchase price of Restricted Stock only, Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee thereof to the Company or an Affiliate and (b) with the consent of the Committee, by withholding the number of shares of Stock that would otherwise vest or be issuable in an amount equal in value to the Option Price or purchase price and/or the applicable tax withholding amount.

 

15.

REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

15.1    General. The Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, if the offer, sale, or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Company, an Affiliate, or any other Person of any provision of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares of Stock subject to an Award upon any Stock Exchange or Securities Market or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, sale, issuance, or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, sold, or issued to the Grantee or any other Person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, unless such listing, registration, or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock subject to such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other Person exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination by the Committee in connection with the foregoing shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

15.2    Rule 16b-3. During any time when the Company has any class of common equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intention of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of such Rule 16b-3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the Committee and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that such Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Committee may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement.

 

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16.

EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

16.1    Changes in Stock. If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of Capital Stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of Capital Stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including the Share Limit set forth in Section  4.1 , the individual share limitations set forth in Section  6.2 shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee therein immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Price, as the case may be. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend, but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend, declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Board or the Committee constituted pursuant to Section  3.1.2 shall, in such manner as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (a) the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (b) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Price of outstanding SARs as required to reflect such distribution.

16.2    Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control. Subject to Section  16.3 , if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Award theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the Capital Stock to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Price of any outstanding Option or SAR so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares of Capital Stock subject to such Award, or received by the Grantee, as a result of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section  16.2 , Performance-Based Awards shall be adjusted, including any adjustment to the performance conditions applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee and including any adjustment so as to apply to the Capital Stock that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance-Based Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation.

 

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16.3    Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are not being assumed, continued, or substituted for, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent not assumed, continued, or substituted for:

(a)    Immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, in each case with the exception of Performance-Based Awards, all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, and all Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have vested, and all shares of Stock and/or cash subject to such Awards shall be delivered; and either or both of the following two (2) actions shall be taken:

(i)    At least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of such Change in Control, all Options and SARs outstanding hereunder shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days. Any exercise of an Option or SAR during this fifteen (15)-day period shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and upon consummation of such Change in Control, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised Options and SARs shall terminate, with or without consideration (including, without limitation, consideration in accordance with clause (ii) below) as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee shall send notice of an event that shall result in such a termination to all Persons who hold Options and SARs not later than the time at which the Company gives notice thereof to its stockholders;

and/or

(ii)    The Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and/or Dividend Equivalent Rights and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or Capital Stock having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights (for shares of Stock subject thereto), equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Options or SARs multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or SAR Price applicable to such Options or SARs.

(b)    For Performance-Based Awards, such Performance-Based Awards shall either (i) be treated as though target performance has been achieved but shall be pro-rated by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the beginning of the performance period for such Award to and including the date of the consummation of the Change in Control, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the performance period for such Award or (ii) be determined based on achievement of actual performance as of a date reasonably proximal to the date of consummation of the Change in Control (based on pro-rated performance conditions through such date) as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in each case, whichever approach results in the greater number of Performance-Based Awards vesting or becoming earned. After application of this Section  1.1.1(b) , if any Awards arise from application of this Section  1.1.1(b) , such Awards shall be settled under the applicable provision of Section  1.1.1(a) .

(c)    Other Equity-Based Awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

16.4    Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are being assumed, continued, or substituted for, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed, continued, or substituted for:

(a)    The Plan and the Awards granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Awards, or for the substitution for such Awards of new stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights, or other equity-based awards relating to the Capital Stock of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and exercise prices of options and stock appreciation rights.

 

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(b)    In the event a Grantee’s Award is assumed, continued, or substituted upon the consummation of any Change in Control and the Grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within the twenty-four (24)-month period following the consummation of such Change in Control, the Grantee’s Award will become fully vested as of such termination and may be exercised in full, to the extent applicable, beginning on the date of such termination and for the one-year period immediately following such termination or for such longer period as the Committee shall determine (but in no event later than the original expiration date of the Award).

16.5    Adjustments. Adjustments under this Section  16 related to shares of Stock or other Capital Stock of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement as of the Grant Date, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4 . This Section  16 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event involving the Company that is not a Change in Control.

16.6    No Limitations on Company The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or to engage in any other transaction or activity.

 

17.

PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS

If any Grantee is a Disqualified Individual, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or of any Other Agreement to the contrary and notwithstanding any Benefit Arrangement, any right of the Grantee to any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit under the Plan shall be reduced or eliminated:

(a)    to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit to the Grantee under the Plan to be considered a Parachute Payment; and

(b)    if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

Except as required by Code Section 409A or to the extent that Code Section 409A permits discretion, the Committee shall have the right, in the Committee’s sole discretion, to designate those rights, payments, or benefits under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having such rights, payments, or benefits be considered a Parachute Payment; provided, however, to the extent any payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, in order to comply with Code Section 409A, the Company shall instead accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Performance-Based Awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options or SARs, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments, in each case with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first.

 

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18.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

18.1    Disclaimer of Rights. No provision in the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement shall be construed (a) to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the Service of the Company or an Affiliate, (b) to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any Person at any time, or (c) to terminate any Service or other relationship between any Person and the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third-party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.

18.2    Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board or the Committee in their discretion determine desirable.

18.3    Withholding Taxes.

(a)    The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by causing the Company or such Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (b) by delivering to the Company or such Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section  18.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements.

(b)    The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions, or payment of shares of Stock; provided, however, for so long as Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 or a similar rule remains in effect, the Board or the Committee has full discretion to choose, or to allow a Grantee to elect, to withhold a number of shares of Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding obligation (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum required statutory withholding amount(s) in such Grantee’s relevant tax jurisdictions).

 

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18.4    Captions. The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.

18.5    Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”

18.6    Other Provisions. Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

18.7    Number and Gender. With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.

18.8    Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

18.9    Governing Law. The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

18.10    Section 409A of the Code.

(a)    The Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan will be interpreted and administered to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the Short-Term Deferral Period will not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6)-month period immediately following the Grantee’s Separation from Service will instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six (6)-month anniversary of the Grantee’s Separation from Service (or the Grantee’s death, if earlier).

(b)    Furthermore, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the case of an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and pursuant to which settlement and delivery of the cash or shares of Stock subject to the Award is triggered based on a Change in Control, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred for purposes of such settlement and delivery of cash or shares of Stock if the transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). If an Award characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A is not settled and delivered on account of the provision of the preceding sentence, the settlement and delivery shall occur on the next succeeding settlement and delivery triggering event that is a permissible triggering event under Code Section 409A. No provision of this paragraph shall in any way affect the determination of a Change in Control for purposes of vesting in an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee will have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Code Section 409A, and neither the Company or an Affiliate nor the Board or the Committee will have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.

 

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To record adoption of the Plan by the Board as of February 12, 2019 and approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders as of April 16, 2019, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the Plan.

 

CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Brian W. Wingard

Name:   Brian W. Wingard
Title:   Treasurer